Global piracy rises as Gulf of Guinea attacks surge

THElatest annual piracy report of the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) has revealed that maritime piracy increased across the globe in 2018, especially in West Africa as attacks against ships and crews continued to pose danger to seafarers.
Worldwide, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) recorded 201 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery in 2018, up from 180 in 2017.
The Gulf of Guinea remains increasingly dangerous for seafarers, the IMB said.
Reports of attacks in waters between the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo more than doubled in 2018, accounting for all six hijackings worldwide, 13 of the 18 ships fired upon, 130 of the 141 hostages taken globally, and 78 of 83 seafarers kidnapped for ransom.
In the last quarter of 2018, the region saw a significant new spike in violence. The IMB said vessels have been boarded by pirates well outside territorial waters, with crew kidnapped and taken into Nigeria where they are held for ransom.
“There is an urgent need for increased cooperation and sharing of intelligence between the Gulf of Guinea’s little.