Posted: September 24th, 2023

Examining the Threat of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in the Sea Areas

Examining the Threat of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in the Sea Areas

Piracy and armed robbery against ships are serious threats to maritime security and trade. They endanger the lives and property of seafarers, disrupt the flow of goods and commodities, and increase the costs of shipping and insurance. According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), a specialized division of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), there were 195 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported worldwide in 2020, an increase of 20% from 2019. In 2022, there were 115 incidents reported from January to December, a slight decrease from 2021, but still higher than the average of the previous five years. The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) is the only independent body that collects and verifies reports of piracy and armed robbery from around the world.

The main hotspots of piracy and armed robbery in 2020 and 2022 were the Gulf of Guinea, off the west coast of Africa, where 130 and 82 incidents respectively occurred, accounting for more than half of the global total. The Gulf of Guinea is notorious for violent attacks, kidnappings for ransom, and hijackings of vessels and cargo. The IMB PRC recorded 95 kidnappings in 2020 and 64 in 2022 in this region, involving 162 and 136 seafarers respectively. The perpetrators are often well-armed and operate in groups, using speedboats to approach and board vessels. They target all types of ships, including bulk carriers, tankers, fishing vessels, container ships, and general cargo vessels.

Another hotspot of piracy and armed robbery in 2020 and 2022 was the Singapore Strait, a narrow waterway that connects the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, and one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. There were 34 incidents reported in 2020 and 33 in 2022 in this area, mostly involving robberies of low-value items from anchored or berthed vessels. The attackers are usually opportunistic criminals who use small boats to approach vessels at night or during hours of darkness. They are usually unarmed or carry knives or machetes, and flee when detected or challenged.

Other regions that experienced piracy and armed robbery incidents in 2020 and 2022 include South America, Southeast Asia, East Africa, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, China, Japan, Korea, Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Canada, USA, Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay. The nature and frequency of these incidents vary depending on the location and the local conditions. Some common factors that contribute to piracy and armed robbery include weak law enforcement, political instability, poverty, unemployment, corruption, lack of awareness and reporting.

The IMB PRC urges all shipmasters and owners to report any incidents or suspicious activities to them as soon as possible. This helps them to provide timely alerts and warnings to other vessels in the vicinity and to coordinate with relevant authorities for assistance and response. The IMB PRC also provides guidance and best practices for ship operators and crews to prevent and deter piracy and armed robbery attacks. These include maintaining a high level of vigilance at all times; implementing security measures such as locks, alarms, lighting; avoiding known high-risk areas or taking alternative routes; using safe anchorage or berthing facilities; conducting regular drills and training; cooperating with local authorities; seeking advice from naval forces or regional organizations; using private security contractors if necessary.

Piracy and armed robbery against ships are complex and dynamic challenges that require a comprehensive and coordinated approach from all stakeholders involved. The IMB PRC plays a vital role in collecting and disseminating information on piracy and armed robbery incidents worldwide. It also works closely with other international organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy
and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), the Gulf of Guinea Interregional Network (GoGIN), the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR), the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), among others. Together with these partners,
the IMB PRC aims to enhance maritime security and safety for all seafarers.

References:

ICC-CCS. (2023). Piracy And Armed Robbery Against Ships: Report For The Period
1 January – 30 September 2022. Retrieved from https://www.icc-ccs.org/reports/2022%20Jan%20-%20Sept%20IMB%20Piracy%20and%20Armed%20Robbery%20Report.pdf

ICC-CCS. (2023). Piracy And Armed Robbery Against Ships: Report For The Period
1 January – 31 December 2022. Retrieved from https://www.icc-ccs.org/reports/2022%20Annual%20IMB%20Piracy%20and%20Armed%20Robbery%20Report.pdf

ICC-CCS. (2021). Piracy And Armed Robbery Against Ships: Report For The Period
1 January – 31 December 2020. Retrieved from https://www.icc-ccs.org/reports/2020_Annual_Piracy_Report.pdf