Conflict in Yemen has contributed to a spike in piracy off the Horn of Africa, according to a new report.
Piracy incidents doubled in the area during 2017, with Oceans Beyond Piracy arguing the trend showed Somali criminal networks are still capable of sophisticated attacks.
Maisie Pigeon, the report’s lead author, said: “Pirate activity in 2017 clearly demonstrates that pirate groups retain their ability to organize and implement attacks against ships transiting the region.”
The economic cost of Somali piracy was placed at $1.4bn in 2017, down from $1.7bn the previous year and a peak of $10bn in 2010.
Phil Belcher, managing director of Intertanko, added: “There are now a wide range of threats to shipping near the Horn of Africa that have been complicated by the conflict and instability in Yemen.”
Acts of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea continue at persistently high levels, with 1,726 seafarers impacted in a total of 97 incidents in 2017, the report said.
The economic cost of West African piracy was set at $809.6m for 2017.
While kidnap and ransom incidents are down in Asia, maritime crime is on the rise off Latin America and the Caribbean, the report said.
“We have observed a significant increase in violent incidents and anchorage crime, particularly in the anchorages of Venezuela and the recent violent incidents off Suriname in the first part of this year,” said Pigeon.
Larry Sampler, president of One Earth Future, said: “Piracy is just one issue in a complex web affecting maritime security.
“Where there is good governance seas are safer, coastal communities are healthier, and the blue economies grow stronger. OEF is committed to promoting global maritime security.”
