ATTACKS against small tankers off Southeast Asia seas have seen a rise in ship hijackings, with up to 21 in 2014 from 12 the year before, despite piracy at sea falling to its lowest level in eight years, according to figures from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB).
IMB's annual piracy report shows 245 incidents were recorded worldwide last year, representing a 44 per cent drop since Somali piracy peaked in 2011.
Somali pirates were responsible for 11 attacks, all of which were thwarted. However, IMB warns shipmasters to follow the industry's best management practices, as the threat of Somali piracy has not been eliminated, reported GAC.
Worldwide, 21 vessels were hijacked last year, 183 were boarded, and 13 fired upon. Pirates killed four crewmembers, injured 13 and kidnapped nine from their vessels.
Citing the death of one crewmember shot on his bitumen tanker in December, the IMB report highlights the possibility of the hijackings becoming increasingly violent. Most of the 124 attacks in the region were aimed at low-level theft from vessels using guns and long knives.
Pirates have been particularly active in the waters around Pulau Bintan and the South China Sea, where 11 vessels were hijacked in 2014.
Actions taken by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the Indonesian authorities and other maritime forces of regional coastal states have played a key role in responding to these attacks.
In West Africa, 41 incidents were reported, although, IMB says many further attacks went unreported. Five vessels were hijacked, including three tankers, one supply and a fishing vessel.
Of the 18 attacks off Nigeria, 14 involved tankers and vessels associated with the oil industry. Most were product tankers, hijacked to steal and transship their cargo into smaller tankers.
Earlier in the year the waters south and west of the Brass Terminal saw a particularly concerning spate of attacks.
In and around Ghanaian waters, in June and July three vessels were hijacked, one of which was a fishing vessel intended to be used as a platform to hijack tankers off Nigeria.
Seven vessels were also boarded while anchored at Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, with ship and crew properties targeted by the robbers.
Bangladesh reported 21 incidents last year, up from 12 in 2013. Seventeen anchored and three vessels underway were boarded and one attempted attack on a vessel.
PIRACY
18 January 2015 - 20:52
Pirate attacks fall 44pc, but hostage-taking up 38pc to 442 captives
ATTACKS against small tankers off Southeast Asia seas have seen a rise in ship hijackings, with up to 21 in 2014 from 12 the year before, despite piracy at sea falling to its lowest level in eight years, according to figures from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB).
PIRACY
18 January 2015 - 20:52
Pirate attacks fall 44pc, but hostage-taking up 38pc to 442 captives
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