Crew Kidnappings in Gulf of Guinea Hit Record in 2020 -IMB Annual Report

Crew kidnappings in the Gulf of Guinea surged to a new record in 2020, the International Maritime Bureau reported in its annual piracy report.

Worldwide, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre recorded 195 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in 2020, up more than 20% from the 162 incidents recorded a year earlier. The incidents included three vessel hijackings, 11 fired upon, 20 attempted attacks, and 161 boardings.

The IMB said the rise can be attributed to an increase of piracy and armed robbery reported in the Gulf of Guinea, as well as increased armed robbery activity in the Singapore Straits. No incidents were recorded again off the coast of Somalia.

In 2020, the Gulf of Guinea accounted for over 95% of the 135 crew members kidnapped from their ships throughout the year. A record 130 crew members were kidnapped in 22 separate incidents. Since 2019, the Gulf of Guinea has experienced an unprecedented rise in the number of multiple crew kidnappings. In the last quarter of 2019 alone, the Gulf of Guinea recorded 39 crew kidnapped in two separate incidents, according to the IMB=.

Incidents in the Gulf of Guinea are also particularly dangerous as over 80% of attackers were armed with guns, according to the IMB report. All three vessel hijackings and nine of the 11 vessels fired upon in 2020 related to this region.

Crew kidnappings were reported in 25% of vessel attacks in the Gulf of Guinea – more than any other region in the world, the IMB report said. The furthest crew kidnapping in 2020 occurred almost 200 nautical miles (NM) from land with the average kidnapping incident taking place over 60NM from land, according to IMB.

The rise in kidnapping incidents further away from shorelines demonstrates the increasing capabilities of pirates in the Gulf of Guinea. Given these developments, IMB advises vessels in the region to remain at least 250 NM from the coast at all times, or until the vessel can transit to commence cargo operations at a berth or safe anchorage, the IMB report said.

“The latest statistics confirm the increased capabilities of pirates in the Gulf of Guinea with more and more attacks taking place further from the coast. This is a worrying trend that can only be resolved through increased information exchange and coordination between vessels, reporting and response agencies in the Gulf of Guinea Region. Despite prompt action by navies in the region, there remains an urgent need to address this crime, which continues to have a direct impact on the safety and security of innocent seafarers,” said Michael Howlett, Director of the ICC International Maritime Bureau.

Singapore Straits Piracy

The increase in incidents against vessels underway within the Singapore Straits has continued since Q4 2019, with 23 incidents reported for 2020. Vessels were boarded in 22 of the 23 incidents. Although considered low level – i.e aimed at armed theft from the vessel – and tend to take place in the hours of darkness, one crew was injured, another taken hostage and two threatened during these incidents. Knives were reported in at least 14 incidents.

Indonesia Piracy

Armed robbery reports in Indonesia remained consistent with 26 low-level incidents reported in 2020, in comparison to 25 in 2019. Vessels continue to be boarded while anchored or berthed at Indonesian ports with two crew taken hostage and two threatened in 2020. The continued efforts of the Indonesian Marine Police are credited for maintaining the reduced levels of reported incidents.

Somalia Piracy

Notably, the IMB received zero incidents of piracy and armed robbery in 2020 for Somalia. While there were no recorded incidents, the IMB warns that Somalia pirates continue have the capacity to carry out attacks in the Somali basin and wider Indian Ocean. In particular, the report warns that, “Masters and crew must remain vigilant and cautious when transiting these waters.”

View the full IMB report here.