The most recent piracy report issued by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has unveiled a notable surge in reported maritime security incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, along with concerning indicators for the Singapore Straits.
According to the report, there has been a notable increase in reported incidents within the Gulf of Guinea during the first nine months of 2023, amounting to 21 cases.
This is a notable upturn when compared to the 14 incidents reported during the same period in 2022. Among these occurrences, 17 were classified as armed robberies, while four were categorized as piracy.
The safety and well-being of crew members are growing sources of worry, with 54 individuals having been taken hostage, 14 subjected to kidnapping, and two sustaining injuries.
IMB Director Michael Howlett has voiced his apprehension regarding the uptick in reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea.
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“The Gulf of Guinea stands as a region of concern with a rise in reported incidents, as opposed to the downward trend we have seen in the past two years. The IMB sees regional ownership as critical to safeguarding shipping and trade and to addressing these crimes,” Howlett said.
The Singapore Straits have become a source of concern, with a total of 33 recorded incidents in the first nine months of 2023, compared to 31 occurrences during the same period in the previous year.
Among these incidents, 31 involved vessels being boarded, five crew members were held hostage, and two were subjected to threats. Most of these incidents occurred in July, with a primary focus on pilfering ship stores and properties.
The navigational complexities of the Singapore Straits add to the risks associated with these incidents, potentially endangering safe passage in these heavily congested waters.
The International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) report also highlighted a rise in incidents in the Indonesian archipelagic region, with 12 occurrences reported during the first nine months of 2023, compared to 10 in 2020 and seven in 2021. Notably, knives were observed in five out of these 12 reported incidents.
Furthermore, reports from Callao Anchorage in Peru increased to 13 incidents, up from eight during the corresponding period in 2022. These incidents involved nine crew members being taken hostage, one member being threatened, and another being assaulted.
According to the report, there were a total of 99 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting an increase from 90 incidents during the same period in 2022.
Out of these reported incidents, 85 vessels were boarded, nine faced attempted attacks, three were hijacked, and two came under fire. The perpetrators successfully boarded 89% of the targeted vessels, with most of the incidents occurring under the cover of darkness.
While the level of violence against crew members is relatively low when compared to the past three decades, the risk to crew safety remains a pressing concern. In the first nine months of 2023, 69 crew members were taken hostage; 14 were kidnapped; eight were threatened; three were injured; and one was assaulted.
IMB stressed the importance of promptly reporting incidents, even those of a less opportunistic nature, in order to safeguard seafarers and ensure the security of regional and international shipping and trade. The organization commended local authorities for their efforts in investigating nearly all reported incidents.