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Piracy reports

by Mark Rowe

In contrast to the substantial numbers of reported incidents across Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean in recent years, maritime crime now appears to have stabilised in these regions. That is according to the latest maritime crime statistics released by Dryad Maritime, covering the second quarter of 2016.

To download a free copy of the full report visit the Dryad Maritime website.

There have been 34 incidents of maritime crime and piracy reported across Southeast Asia during the second quarter of 2016, taking the total for the first half of the year to 49. This is a 66pc reduction for the half yearly total when compared to the first six months of 2015.

However, despite that global downturn, maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and Sulu Sea continues to give cause for concern; kidnap for ransom is the main threat. The Gulf of Guinea is now widely regarded as the most dangerous region in the world for seafarers and was designated a Pirate Danger Area by Dryad Maritime in April 2016. Since then the area has seen a continuation of such piracy in the second quarter of the year. Indeed, April 2016 was the busiest month on record with 14 attacks occurring off the Niger Delta; resulting in the kidnap of 10 crew from three vessels as far as 110 NM from shore.

Ian Millen, Chief Operating Officer, Dryad Maritime, said: “The maritime crime picture at the half year point is very similar to the one we reported a few months ago. In some regions we continue to see significant progress as anti-piracy measures take effect and maritime crime de-escalates, but in others, violent crime and piracy continue. The Gulf of Guinea and Sulu Sea continue to give cause for concern with criminal gang and terrorist related kidnap respectively, but the situation in the wider Southeast Asia region is much better.

“In the Indian Ocean, we are witnessing a period of de-escalation as ship owners are placing less reliance on armed security in favour of information-based risk mitigation. Whilst the welcome containment of Somali piracy has come about as a result of a comprehensive, joined-up approach, including naval forces and embarked armed guards, we are very mindful of the fact that the situation at sea can change rapidly. In short, avoiding complacency and remaining vigilant is as important today as it was in years gone by, as any material change in the risk/reward ratio for Somali pirates could result in further hijacks of those that fail to prepare well or are reckless in straying too close to Somali shores.

“Other areas continue to give mariners cause for concern; from the conflict in Libya, Syria and Yemen to the humanitarian crisis of Mediterranean migration, there is plenty to occupy the minds of those with a duty of care to seafarers and passengers alike. Our advice is to encourage all to build the best possible awareness, thereby reducing uncertainty and enhancing preparation.”

About the firm

Dryad Maritime’s achievements in the UK shipping industry were recognised with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation in April 2016. Dryad Maritime provides from its 24/7 operations room, delivers safety assistance and operational advice for ships at sea and their shore-based teams. Visit: http://www2.dryadmaritime.com/maritime-crime-stats-q22016.

Meanwhile the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reports likewise that piracy and armed robbery at sea has fallen to its lowest levels since 1995, despite a surge in kidnappings off West Africa.

IMB’s global piracy report shows 98 incidents in the first half of 2016, compared with 134 for the same period in 2015. When piracy was at its highest, in 2010 and 2003, IMB recorded 445 attacks a year. In the first half of 2016, IMB recorded 72 vessels boarded, five hijackings, and a further 12 attempted attacks. Nine ships were fired upon. Sixty-four crew were taken hostage onboard, down from 250 in the same period last year.

Pottengal Mukundan, Director of IMB, said: “Two main factors are recent improvements around Indonesia, and the continued deterrence of Somali pirates off East Africa.

“But ships need to stay vigilant, maintain security and report all attacks, as the threat of piracy remains, particularly off Somalia and in the Gulf of Guinea.” The IMB reports that in the Gulf of Guinea, rather than oil tankers being hijacked for their cargo, there is an increasing number of incidents of crew being kidnapped for ransom.

Nigerian attacks are often violent, accounting for eight of the nine vessels fired upon worldwide. IMB says many further assaults go unreported by ship owners.

Low-level theft to ships at anchor has been brought down by introducing designated anchorages with improved security. This has contributed to a fall in the number of incidents in Indonesia to 24 in the first six months of 2016, compared with 54 in the same period in 2015.

IMB applauded the Indonesian Navy’s prompt response in recovering a hijacked product tanker, south of Pulau Serutu, off west Kalimantan in May. Nine pirates were apprehended and the crew of the tanker unharmed. Visit https://www.icc-ccs.org.

For advice to masters, and more statistics, visit https://www.icc-ccs.org/piracy-reporting-centre. Set up in 1992, the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre offers a 24-hour and free service for shipmasters to report any piracy, armed robbery or stowaways.

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