Data released by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) indicate that Nigeria and Ivory Coast have the world’s most dangerous waters, accounting for two of every three ships hijacked in the world.
The report indicates that while piracy on the world’s seas continues to fall, the reverse is the case in West Africa where growing violence off the coast of West Africa has seen 44 seafarers captured so far from January to April this year.
According to IMB, worldwide, it recorded 37 piracy and armed robbery incidents in the first quarter of 2016, down from 54 in the same period last year.
Three vessels were hijacked, with 26 crew kidnapped for ransom and a further 28 held hostage.
Nigeria and Ivory Coast accounted for two of the three hijackings recorded globally, and in all 28 hostages were taken. This is why senior UN officials have called for a comprehensive regional framework to eradicate piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea.
The UN Security Council has stressed the importance of addressing underlying causes and strengthening justice systems and judicial co-operation in the region.
“The Security Council remains deeply concerned about the threat piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, the security and economic development of states in the region, to the safety and welfare of seafarers and other persons, as well as the safety of commercial maritime routes, “said Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, assistant secretary-general for political affairs of the 15-member body in a presidential statement adopted this week.
The report notes that the Gulf of Guinea dominates world piracy in terms of numbers and severity. It agrees with the assertion by Senegal’s UN ambassador Fode Seck, who said: “Maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea has broadened its scope and is no longer limited just to the oil sector,” but also robbery, illicit fishing and the trafficking of migrants, drugs, weapons, medication and toxic waste.
The region saw 16-crew kidnapped from chemical and product tankers in four separate incidents. Ten attacks were reported off Nigeria alone, all involving guns.
“Reports in the last quarter indicate unacceptable violence against ships and crews in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly around Nigeria. The current increase in kidnappings is a cause for great concern,” said Pottengal Mukundan, director of IMB, who has monitored world piracy since 1991.
IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) warns all seafarers in the region to stay vigilant, maintain anti-piracy watches and take additional measures to prevent boarding. Armed groups have attacked vessels and their crews along the coast, rivers, anchorages, ports and surrounding waters – as well as up to 110 nautical miles out to sea this quarter. Bulk and vehicle carriers have been targeted as well as vessels associated with the oil industry.
The UN Security Council has spoken out against piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea, saying it badly affects economic development in the region and is a threat to commercial maritime routes
The body stated that ineffective government operations, weak rule of law and inadequate maritime law enforcement all contribute to the increase in piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, a major route for oil supplies shipped around the world.
