The International Maritime Bureau's (IMB) third quarter report is the second in a row to show the lowest level of piracy and armed robbery at sea in three decades. The IMB is a London-based division of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Its director, Michael Howlett, praised and welcomed the efforts of coastal authorities, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, adding: "Sustained and continued efforts by coastal authorities and the presence of international navies remain critical to regional and international shipping, trade and the protection of seafarers in the long term." But: "This leaves no room for complacency," he warns.
Report 2022
The third quarterly report of the current year mentions 90 piracy and armed robbery incidents. In 95 % of the reported incidents, the perpetrators successfully gained access to ships. These are broken down into 85 boarded ships, four attempted attacks and one hijacked ship. The ships were either at anchor or underway when the pirates boarded, with almost all incidents occurring after dark. Although this is one of the lowest levels in decades, the violence against the crew continues, with 27 crew members taken hostage, six attacked and five threatened. "The risk to crews, however insignificant or opportunistic the incident, remains real," an IMB statement said.
Africa
13 incidents are listed for the Gulf of Guinea. The fact that these are only around half of the 27 incidents reported in the third quarter of 2021 is seen as "a positive and significant reduction" in piracy off West Africa.
Asia
In contrast, incidents in the Singapore Strait continue to increase with 31 reports in the first nine months of 2022, compared to 21 in the same period last year. All 31 incidents involved the boarding of ships underway, including large vessels and tankers. In most cases, ship's stores or property were stolen. In 16 incidents, including some very large bulk carriers and tankers, the crews continued to be threatened with weapons.
America
In South America, the number of reports from the Callao Anchorage in Peru decreased from 15 in the first nine months of 2021 to 8 this year. Five incidents were reported at the Macapa anchorage in Brazil, including one in which six security and service personnel were attacked and tied up on an anchored bulk carrier.
Conclusion
"Although the majority of incidents - excluding hijackings of crews or the vessels themselves - are considered low-level, opportunistic crimes, coastal states are urged to continue to increase patrols in a waterway of strategic importance to shipping and global trade," emphasised Howlett.
There is still the question of understanding: "Low-threshold, opportunistic crime" (low level opportunistic crimes) as modern-day gambling? If there is no prosecution, then that is probably the case! Only prevention can help.
Source: ISS, IMB
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