The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre has released its 2024 report, highlighting ongoing security threats to vessels and crews worldwide. Here’s a detailed overview:
Global Statistics
- Total Incidents Reported: 116
- 94 vessels boarded
- 13 attempted attacks
- 6 hijacked vessels
- 3 vessels fired upon
- Crew Impact:
- 126 taken hostage
- 12 kidnapped
- 12 threatened
- 1 injured
Status of Vessels During Attacks
| Status | Attempted | Boarded | Fired Upon | Hijacked | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchored | 8 | 41 | – | – | 49 |
| Berthed | 1 | 6 | – | – | 7 |
| Steaming | 4 | 47 | 3 | 6 | 60 |
| Total | 13 | 94 | 3 | 6 | 116 |
Regional Breakdown of Incidents
| Region | Attempted | Boarded | Fired Upon | Hijacked | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa (Somalia) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| Africa (Gulf of Guinea) | – | 16 | 1 | 1 | 18 |
| Americas | 1 | 1 | – | – | 2 |
| Indian Subcontinent | 3 | 13 | – | – | 16 |
| East & SE Asia | 8 | 62 | – | 2 | 72 |
| Total | 13 | 94 | 3 | 6 | 116 |
Regional Highlights
Somalia
- Incidents: 8 (2 fishing vessels and 1 bulk carrier hijacked).
- Advisory: Follow the latest Best Management Practices (BMP) to mitigate risks.
Gulf of Guinea
- Incidents: 18 (significant decline from 22 in 2023 and 84 in 2020).
- Crew Impact: 12 kidnapped (highest globally) and 23% of hostages.
- Efforts Commended: Regional cooperation and coastal authority vigilance.
Asia
- Indonesia:
- Incidents: 22 (highest in recent years; up from 10 in 2022 and 18 in 2023).
- Crew Impact: 31 hostage cases; knives reported in 10 incidents and guns in 3.
- Singapore Straits:
- Incidents: 43 (up from 37 in 2023).
- Target: 93% of vessels were boarded, including 11 large ships over 100,000 DWT.
- Bangladesh:
- Incidents: 14 (highest in a decade).
- Locations: 13 at Chattogram and 1 at Mongla anchorage.
- Crew Impact: 2 hostages, 3 threatened; knives reported in 7 incidents.
Key Takeaways
- The overall threat level remains significant, with violence against crew persisting.
- East & Southeast Asia accounted for the majority of incidents, particularly in the Singapore Straits.
- Declining incidents in the Gulf of Guinea highlight the positive impact of regional security initiatives, though challenges persist.
- Continued vigilance, adherence to BMP, and regional cooperation remain critical to enhancing maritime security.
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Source: JAPAN P&I CLUB
