THE INTERNATIONAL Maritime Bureau has reported a drop in the number of piracy incidents, but a “concerning” rise in violence against seafarers.
IMB, part of the International Chamber of Commerce, has issued its 2024 mid-year report and a call for sustained vigilance to protect crewmembers.
Sixty incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded in the first half of 2024, a decrease from 65 incidents for the same period in 2023.
Of the 60 incidents reported, 46 vessels were boarded, eight reported attempted attacks, four were hijacked and two were fired upon. Perpetrators successfully boarded 85% of targeted vessels.
“While we are reassured to see a fall in the number of overall reported acts of piracy, the concerning rise in incidents of a violent nature underscores the need for continued vigilance from the international community to ensure the safety of all seafarers — especially at this time of heightened uncertainty for maritime transport,” ICC secretary general John Denton said.
Eighty-five seafarers were taken hostage in the first half of 2024, compared with 36 in the same period last year. Eleven were kidnapped and two were threatened. Guns and knives were reported in 34 of the 59 incidents, a “worrying” increase from the same period last year.
IMB director Michael Howlett said there is no room for complacency.
“While the decline in reported incidents is welcome, sustained and continued regional maritime co-operation remains essential to safeguard seafarers, global shipping and trade,” he said.
Regional risks
IMB’s mid-year identified Somali piracy as an ongoing threat, despite a decline in incidents. There were eight incidents reported in the first half of 2024, including three hijackings.
Recent incidents demonstrate the continued capability and capacity of the Somali pirates to target vessels up to 1000 nautical miles off the Somali coast, according to IMB.
“We continue to urge caution around Somali piracy incidents and call on all vessel owners and masters to harden their vessels and follow all recommended guidelines in the latest Best Management Practices while transiting Somali waters,” Mr Howlett said.
The Singapore Straits saw a decrease in reported incidents, from 20 in the first half of last year, to 13 in the same period this year. However, IMB is aware of incidents not being reported.
IMB said targeting and boarding or large vessels transiting the straits remains worrying. Ten crew were taken hostage in six separate incidents, with guns and knives reported in 11 incidents.
The bureau also recorded 12 incidents in the Indonesian archipelago, the highest since the first half of 2021 when 15 incidents were reported.
Two crew were reportedly taken hostage and one threatened during these incidents. Knives were reported in six incidents and guns in one incident. This year, six incidents occurred at Dumai anchorage compared to one in the first half of 2023.
Low-level incidents have increased in Bangladesh, up from one in the first six months of 2023 to ten in 2024. This is the highest reported number of incidents in the first half of a year since 2015. All vessels were at anchorage with eight incidents reported at Chattogram.
