FIVE small tankers were taken by pirates in south east Asian waters in the second quarter, bringing the total of vessels hijacked globally this year to 13, said a new report.
The report, from the International Chamber of Commerce's (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB), said there had been a 15 per cent increase in reported incidents in the first half year on year.
Pirates boarded 106 vessels and were responsible for 13 hijackings and 15 attempted attacks worldwide, said the IMB's Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC).
So far this year, 250 crew have been taken hostage, 14 assaulted, 10 kidnapped, nine injured and one killed, the report said.
While more than a third of incidents reported to the PRC took place off the coast of Indonesia, the most of these related to low-level, opportunistic thefts from vessels.
The IMB report notes an increase in incidents off Bangladesh and Chittagong, with 10 reports made in the second quarter compared with only one in the first quarter.
Off Nigeria, 11 incidents were reported in the first half though no incidents were reported in the month of June. But 10 kidnappings in three separate events were reported in and around Nigerian waters.
Encouragingly, in the second quarter of 2015, no reports were received off the coast of Somalia.
IMB reports that enhanced cooperation between regional authorities is paying off and that early detection of approaching skiffs has resulted in attacks being aborted.
IMB highlighted the tracking and arrest off Vietnam of an eight-man Indonesian gang responsible for the hijacking of a Malaysian tanker last month.
IMB also praised the Malaysian authorities for the June conviction of nine Indonesian pirates, apprehended after the January hijacking of an anchored product tanker off Johor.
PIRACY
24 July 2015 - 21:46
Reported pirate attacks increase 15pc in first half: IMB report
FIVE small tankers were taken by pirates in south east Asian waters in the second quarter, bringing the total of vessels hijacked globally this year to 13, said a new report.
PIRACY
24 July 2015 - 21:46
Reported pirate attacks increase 15pc in first half: IMB report
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