Sea piracy is alive and well in the Gulf of Guinea

From an ICC Hamburg press release on the first half-year report 2023

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has expressed concern about the renewed increase in reported incidents in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea and the Singapore Strait in its 2023 Mid-Year Report. The ICC's International Maritime Bureau recorded a total of 65 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the first half of 2023 - an increase on the 58 attacks in the same period in 2022.

Violence continues 

Of the 65 reported incidents, 57 ships were boarded, four were attempted to be attacked, two were captured and two were fired upon. 90 % of the ships attacked were successfully boarded by the perpetrators. The violence against crew members continues: 36 hostages were taken and 14 people were kidnapped.

Concern about crews off West Africa

There was a worrying increase in incidents in the Gulf of Guinea between the first and second quarters of 2023: five incidents in the first quarter and nine in the second. Of these, twelve were categorised as armed robberies and two as piracy, mainly targeting anchored vessels in the region.

The international community must now take a closer look again and also strengthen its naval presence, says ICC Germany Secretary General Oliver Wieck.

You can download the detailed ICC report here request.