The latest report from International Maritime Bureau (IMB) says that 12 incidents were recorded against ships in the Gulf of Guinea in the first half of 2022, while the lowest number of reported piracy incidents across the globe recorded the lowest in 28 years.
The report, which covered January to June 2022, recorded 58 incidents of piracy against ships, down from 68 incidents in the same period of 2021.
The report gave the incidents breakdown as 55 boardings, two attempted attacks and one hijack.
Nigeria’s Ships and Ports, a specialized maritime publication, quoted the report as saying that the 12 incidents reported in the Gulf of Guinea in the first half of the year included 10 armed robberies and two piracy.
It added that while the overall number of incidents fell, IMB warned against complacency as such a high proportion of incidents resulted in boardings.
According to the report, there were no crew kidnappings in the first half of 2022, but 28 crews were impacted by attacks, including 23 crew taken hostage and five crew threatened.
The report stated that 30 bulkers were targeted in the period, along with 18 tankers, five container ships and five other ships. Thirty-two of the ships were anchored, 19 were steaming and seven were berthed when attacked.
IMB report highlighted one incident where a panamax bulk carrier was boarded 260 nautical miles off Ghana; IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) alerted authorities and navies in the region, leading to the intervention of an Italian Navy warship and its helicopter.
“IMB PRC commends the prompt and positive actions of the Italian Navy which undoubtedly resulted in the crew and ship being saved. It urges the Coastal response agencies and independent international navies to continue their efforts to ensure this crime is permanently addressed in these waters which account for 74% of crew taken hostage globally,” IMB said in its half year report.
GIK/APA