From a press release of the Berlin office of the International Maritime Bureau of the ICC.
On 11 January 2024, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in London published its 2023 annual report on piracy and armed robbery at sea, recording an increase in incidents (120) compared to the previous year (115). 105 ships were boarded, nine attacks were attempted, four ships were hijacked and two ships were fired upon.
The IMB warns in particular of the increasing danger to ship crews: The number of crew members taken hostage or kidnapped rose from 41 to 73 and from 2 to 14 respectively. A further ten crew members were threatened, four were injured and one was attacked.
Somalia: First kidnapping since 2017
On 14 December 2023, the IMB registered the first ship hijacking off the coast of Somalia since 2017: the bulk carrier with 18 crew members on board, which was presumably boarded by Somali pirates, was freed by the Indian Navy shortly afterwards.
Gulf of Guinea: Three out of four incidents
Even though the number of reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea is trending downwards (22 incidents in 2023 compared to 19 in 2022, but 35 in 2021 and 81 in 2020), three out of four of the hijackings reported worldwide last year occurred in these waters, which therefore continue to be classified as dangerous. There is no reason to sound the all-clear for the Singapore Strait either: although the incidents here were mostly minor, the number of incidents remains consistently high (2023: 37 compared to 2022: 38).
Particularly affected: Germany
Ships with German participation were affected a total of 14 times in 2023, making it the second most frequently affected country after Singapore (28). Against this backdrop, the German office of the ICC in Berlin points out that piracy is not a relic of the past, but a highly topical challenge. In addition, politically motivated attacks by Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea are on the rise as a result of the Middle East conflict, which is also obstructing a shipping route that is particularly important for the German export industry.
As around 90 per cent of global trade is currently handled by sea, it is of vital importance to the German export industry that maritime trade remains open and secure. Otherwise, disruptions to supply chains and rising transport costs are inevitable.
Background
Since its establishment in 1991, the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has served as an important, round-the-clock contact point for reporting piracy offences and providing assistance to ships under threat. The data collected by the centre in London also provides important insights into the nature and status of modern piracy. ICC Germany is the German representation of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Berlin.
You can request the detailed 2023 annual report:
Further information on the report
or by Michael Howlett, Director, ICC International Maritime Bureau
Tel.: +44 207 423 6960, e-mail:[email protected].
English 
German
"Particularly affected: Germany"
It should be noted again that 84 % of the German merchant fleet sails under a foreign flag. Let the flag state take care of it. The federal police are responsible for the 275 ships flying the German flag. While the British are threatening the Houthis with HMS Diamond, the Germans have been examining since mid-December under which legal standards protection for merchant shipping can be established. And this despite the fact that we have a major interest in safe sea routes. Sad.