- 2020 saw an increase in the affecting the shipping sector very much.
- A record 130 crew kidnapped in the Gulf of Guinea, a continuing rising trend of armed robberies against vessels in the Singapore Strait.
- Till date there has been no improvements for robbery incidents in South America.
- According to the IMB PRC, Benin, Ghana, Angola and Guinea, in addition to Nigeria, represented the top five locations for incidents recorded in the Gulf of Guinea in 2020.
- The IMB PRC’s data for the last five years also shows that an increasing number of successful kidnap and ransom attacks are now taking place outside the Nigerian EEZ.
A recent news article published in the Gard reveals about how global piracy has affected the shipping sector in 2020.
Global piracy on a high
Global piracy and armed robbery numbers increased in 2020.
A total of 195 actual and attempted attacks in 2020, up from 162 in 2019.
The rise to an increase of piracy and armed robbery reported within the Gulf of Guinea as well as increased armed robbery activity in the Singapore Straits.
The figures are broken down as three vessels hijacked, 161 vessels boarded, 20 attempted attacks, and 11 vessels fired upon.
The report also warns of an alarming trend in kidnap for ransom incidents.
Globally 135 crews were kidnapped from their vessels in 2020, compared to 134 in 2019, with the Gulf of Guinea accounting for more than 95% of crew numbers kidnapped.
Piracy and armed robbery at sea provides a compilation of links to relevant websites, guidelines.
Also, the link provides Gard material that may assist ship operators, masters and crews to stay alert and prepare and respond to piracy and armed robbery attacks.
Africa
International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) recorded a total of 84 piracy and armed robbery incidents against vessels in the Gulf of Guinea in 2020.
The region accounted for all three vessel hijackings that occurred in 2020, as well as nine out of 11 vessels that reported coming under fire.
The Gulf of Guinea region also recorded the highest ever number of crews kidnapped, with 130 crews taken in 22 separate incidents.
The use of guns were reported in more than 80% of the incidents in the region in 2020, they occur farther from shore, and larger groups of seafarers are kidnapped per incident.
Container vessel MOZART
The container vessel MOZART was attacked on 23 January 2021.
One crew being killed and 15 crew members kidnapped.
Valuable tips from IMB PRC
Masters and crews to be extra cautious and to take the necessary precautionary measures when transiting the Gulf of Guinea.
It further reminds vessels to go for direct berthing if possible, not drift off the coast, and to keep at least 250 nm from the coast.
Asia
Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) brings the details of attacks on ships.
A total of 97 incidents were reported in Asia in 2020, which is a 17% year-on-year increase compared to 2019.
The majority of incidents in Asia in 2020 were categorized as ‘armed robbery’ with a low severity level involving no physical harm to vessels’ crew.
Nations attacked in Asia
Of the 97 incidents reported, nine occurred in India, five in Bangladesh and 83 in South-East Asian countries.
ReCAAP ISC’s 2020 data also confirms the past trend where the majority of incidents, except those reported from the Singapore Strait, occurred to vessels while at anchor/berth.
The following areas of concern have been particularly highlighted in ReCAAP ISC’s 2020 annual report:
Sulu-Celebes Sea and eastern Sabah region – Kidnap for ransom remains a serious threat in this area.
Philippines – 13 incidents were reported in 2020, up from seven in 2019.
Singapore Strait – A total of 34 incidents were recorded in 2020 compared to 31 in 2019.
South and Central America and Caribbean waters – A total of 30 piracy and armed robbery incidents recorded in 2020.
Callao Anchorage in Peru – A robbery hotspot for many years and 2020 was no different with eight incidents recorded, 2 less than in 2019.
Brazil near Macapá City – An alarming new trend is the increase in the number of robbery incidents.
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Source: Gard
