- Pirates are stepping up attacks on ships in West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, defying regional navies.
- On Saturday, pirates off Nigeria kidnapped 15 sailors from a Turkish container ship and killed one.
- Pirates in the Gulf of Guinea kidnapped 130 seafarers in 22 separate incidents last year, accounting for all but five of those seized at sea worldwide.
- There is an “urgent need” for a coordinated international law enforcement operation to counter pirate attacks.
A recent news article published in the Reuters written by Libby George explains why pirates attack vessels in Gulf of Guinea.
Who are the pirates?
The pirates come from Nigeria’s turbulent Niger Delta, experts say.
They often bring the kidnapped crew to the creeks that snake through the swampy region.
Why pirates are attacking?
The region produces the bulk of the nation’s petroleum, but is woefully underdeveloped, scarred by pollution and has some of the highest unemployment in the country.
Bands of men desperate for money engage in a variety of illegal but lucrative activities, including kidnapping, stealing and refining oil, and piracy.
Why pirates kidnap more sailors?
Pirates who once stole cargo, or siphoned oil, discovered that some companies will pay large sums to ransom kidnapped crew.
Last year’s oil price crash and Nigeria’s second recession in five years worsened unemployment and economic hardship.
“Breaching the citadel and killing a crew member is a serious escalation,” Williams said.
What impact does it have on the trade?
Kidnapping and ransom insurance can also cost shipping companies several million dollars annually.
Most refuse to discuss specifics due to fears it could make covered vessels a target.
Insurance costs rise due to attacks, and freight rates are more expensive as some ships avoid the region, cutting the number of available vessels.
What is the response for these pirate attacks?
In 2013, 25 countries in the region developed the Yaounde Code, which established coordination on piracy and other maritime crimes.
Nigeria has its own “Deep Blue” initiative to develop maritime surveillance and security, and last year secured its first conviction under a new anti-piracy law.
Most countries in the region bar international navies or armed private security staff from their waters.
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Source: Reuters
