The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has released its first quarter 2022 piracy report, which indicated a sharp drop in activities in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG)
In the report, the IMB noted there was a ‘welcome decrease’ in reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea region with seven incidents reported since the start of the year, but it cautioned that the West African region remains dangerous as evidenced by the hijack of a product tanker off the coast of Ivory Coast on 24th of January, during which all 17 crew were taken hostage.
It added that, reports of armed robberies have also been received within the anchorage waters of Angola and Ghana.
The IMB also said that, worldwide, this is the first quarter since 2010 where no crew kidnappings have been reported, although violence against and the threat to crews continue with 23 crew taken hostage and a further four crew threatened.
In the detailed report, the International Maritime Bureau said in the latest global piracy and armed robbery stood at 37 incidents in the first three months of 2022, when compared to 38 incidents over the same period last year, with nearly half of them (about 41%) occurring in Southeast Asian waters, particularly in the Singapore Straits.
“In comparison, there was a welcome decrease in reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea region with seven incidents reported since the start of the year”.
According to the IMB, sustained efforts are needed to ensure the continued safety of seafarers in the West African region that remains dangerous as evidenced by the hijack of a product tanker off the coast of Ivory Coast on 24 January, during which all 17 crew were taken hostage. Reports of armed robberies have also been received within the anchorage waters of Angola and Ghana
Specifically, on the Gulf of Guinea, the IMB appreciated the efforts taken by maritime authorities in the region to stem the tide.
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It noted that, these efforts have largely been accountable for the reduction in piracy. “Thanks to the efforts taken by maritime authorities in the region, there have been no reported crew kidnappings within Gulf of Guinea waters in Q1 2022”
“This is a welcome change compared to 40 crew kidnappings in the same period in 2021. The efforts of the regional and international navies have also resulted in a reduction of reported incidents from 16 in the first quarter of 2021 to seven over the same period in 2022”.
The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre however urged the Coastal response agencies and independent international navies to continue their efforts to ensure piracy is permanently addressed in these highly risky waters.
It noted that, the threat to innocent seafarers remains and is best exemplified with a recent attack where a Panamax sized bulk carrier was boarded by pirates 260 NM off the coast of Ghana on 3 April. This illustrates that despite a decrease in reported incidents, the threat of Gulf of Guinea piracy and crew kidnappings remains.
On being notified of the incident, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre immediately alerted and liaised with the Regional Authorities and international warships to request for assistance.
An Italian Navy warship and its helicopter instantly intervened, saving the crew and enabling the vessel to proceed to a safe port under escort.
The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre commends the prompt and positive actions of the Italian Navy which undoubtedly resulted in the crew and ship being saved.
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