PIRATE attacks have fallen in the first half of 2012, led by a drop in
Somali piracy, but have been offset by increasingly frequent attacks in
the Gulf of Guinea, according to the International Maritime Bureau
(IMB).
The IMB, together with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), said that overall, 177 incidents were reported in the first six months of 2012, compared to 266 incidents for the corresponding period in 2011.
Reports to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) indicated that 20 ships were hijacked worldwide of which 13 were by Somali pirates, down from a previous 21 year on year and overall attacks more than halved to 69 in 2012 from 163 same period 2011.
Globally a total number of 334 crew were taken hostage. There were a further 80 vessels boarded, 25 vessels fired upon and 52 reported attempted attacks. At least four crewmen were killed.
As of June 30, Somali pirates were still holding 11 vessels and 218 crew, 44 of whom were being held ashore in unknown locations and conditions.
Credit goes to combination of more effective naval patrols, best management practices, ship hardening and shipboard armed guards.
West Africa's Gulf of Guinea saw an increase of attacks of 32 incidents, including five hijackings, during the six month period compared to 25 in 2011. In Nigeria alone there were 17 reports, compared to six in 2011. Togo reported five incidents in the month of April only including a hijacking of a panamax product tanker, compared to no incident during the same time last year. All of which was attributed to Nigerian pirates.
Of most concern is the high level of violence used against crewmen in the Gulf of Guinea with at least 20 of the 32 incidents reported to use guns with one seaman killed and another later died due to an attack. In Nigeria, seven vessels were boarded, six fired upon and one attempted attack was reported with attacks by armed pirates in skiffs at greater distances from the coast, suggesting the possible use of fishing or other vessels to reach targets.
In one day alone, three vessels were fired upon, including a tanker and a containership within a five-minute period, each 135 nautical miles from Port Harcourt.
The remaining attacks globally were mainly armed robberies with Indonesia taking 20 per cent of all attacks on the increase from last year to 32, of which 23 were anchored vessels, two berthed and only three underway.
The IMB, together with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), said that overall, 177 incidents were reported in the first six months of 2012, compared to 266 incidents for the corresponding period in 2011.
Reports to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) indicated that 20 ships were hijacked worldwide of which 13 were by Somali pirates, down from a previous 21 year on year and overall attacks more than halved to 69 in 2012 from 163 same period 2011.
Globally a total number of 334 crew were taken hostage. There were a further 80 vessels boarded, 25 vessels fired upon and 52 reported attempted attacks. At least four crewmen were killed.
As of June 30, Somali pirates were still holding 11 vessels and 218 crew, 44 of whom were being held ashore in unknown locations and conditions.
Credit goes to combination of more effective naval patrols, best management practices, ship hardening and shipboard armed guards.
West Africa's Gulf of Guinea saw an increase of attacks of 32 incidents, including five hijackings, during the six month period compared to 25 in 2011. In Nigeria alone there were 17 reports, compared to six in 2011. Togo reported five incidents in the month of April only including a hijacking of a panamax product tanker, compared to no incident during the same time last year. All of which was attributed to Nigerian pirates.
Of most concern is the high level of violence used against crewmen in the Gulf of Guinea with at least 20 of the 32 incidents reported to use guns with one seaman killed and another later died due to an attack. In Nigeria, seven vessels were boarded, six fired upon and one attempted attack was reported with attacks by armed pirates in skiffs at greater distances from the coast, suggesting the possible use of fishing or other vessels to reach targets.
In one day alone, three vessels were fired upon, including a tanker and a containership within a five-minute period, each 135 nautical miles from Port Harcourt.
The remaining attacks globally were mainly armed robberies with Indonesia taking 20 per cent of all attacks on the increase from last year to 32, of which 23 were anchored vessels, two berthed and only three underway.