The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has expressed concern over the resurgence of reported incidents of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea in the first half of 2023.
The London and Kuala Lumpur-based anti-piracy body the West African region had seen a surge in maritime incidents between the first and second quarters of this year.
There were five incidents reported in the first quarter and nine in the second quarter. Out of these, 12 were classified as armed robberies and two as piracy, predominantly targeting anchored vessels in the region.
Fourteen crew were kidnapped, of which eight crew members were taken from vessels anchored within territorial waters, the IMB said.
Additionally, in two separate hijackings, 31 crew members were held hostage, communication and navigation equipment were destroyed, and partial cargoes were stolen. One of these incidents also involved the abduction of six crew members.
“We once again call on Gulf of Guinea regional authorities and the international community to refocus their attention on the region, to establish long-term, sustainable solutions that effectively address these crimes and protect the seafaring and fishing communities,” IMB director Michael Howlett said.
“The IMB calls for continued, robust regional and international naval presence as a deterrent to address these crimes.”
The IMB said it was also concerned about a “significant” 25% increase in the number of piracy incidents in the Singapore Strait compared to the same period last year.
“While considered low level opportunistic crimes, often large vessels transiting through the Singapore Straits remain targeted and boarded,” the IMB said.
It said it has requested that littoral states allocate the “required resources” to address these crimes as crew members “continue to be at risk with weapons reported in at least eight incidents”.
The IMB said 65 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded in the first half of 2023 — an increase from 58 incidents for the same period in 2022.
Of the 65 incidents reported, 57 vessels were boarded, four had attempted attacks, two were hijacked and two were fired upon.
Perpetrators successfully boarded 90% of targeted vessels. Violence towards crew continues with 36 taken hostage, 14 kidnapped, three threatened, two injured and one assaulted.
