Pirate attacks on the rise, warns IMB

Craig Eason - Wednesday 16 April 2008

Nigeria has the most number of attacks. Nigeria has the most number of attacks.
PIRACY attacks are on the increase according to the latest quarterly figures issued by the International Maritime Bureau, with an alarming number involving violence against crew members.

Nigeria now take the dubious title as the worst hot spot for attacks according to the IMB, who’s report showed there were 49 attacks globally reported to the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre in the first three months of 2008, compared to 41 for the corresponding period in 2007. Ten of these were in Nigerian waters, often close to the capital Lagos. 

Globally, seven crew members were taken hostage, six kidnapped and three killed, with one still missing. In the majority of incidents, the attackers were heavily armed with guns or knives. 

On a positive note, there have been no reported incidents in the Malacca Strait during the first quarter, and only four in the Indonesian archipelago. The IMB said this situation can be attributed to the enhanced cooperation between the littoral states of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia for their work in the area. 

“Indonesia is no longer ranked with the highest number of reported incidents. The Indonesia Navy and the Police should be commended for the anti-piracy measures taken,” said the IMB. 

However the waters around Somalia continue to be an area of concern, with a noticeable shift from the east coast of Somalia to the north and north eastern coasts and the Gulf of Aden. The heavier concentration of traffic in the Gulf of Aden is thought to be attracting more attacks as the pirates do not have to range as far away from the coast, despite the presence of a large number of coalition naval vessels at hand. 

The usual intention from these attacks is to hijack the vessel and take it to small ports on the Somali coast and to try and ransom the crew. 

“It is essential that serious incidents are carefully analysed and the lessons learnt made available to all owners and their advisors who fall victim to serious attacks,” said IMB director Capt Pottengal Mukundan. “This kind of data is invaluable in updating preventative and response measures on board vessels as well as identifying the pirates and the groups they operate in”.
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