Following a spectacular decline in the gulf of aden, incidents of armed robbery at sea and piracy which legally refer to attacks beyond territorial waters are now on the rise in the gulf of guinea. The region accounts for 86% of crew taken hostage and nearly 82% of crew kidnappings globally. There were 47 attacks reported around the world in. Pdf piracy challenges in the gulf of guinea along the. The loss of human lives and valuable property as well as infliction of bodily injuries and trauma to innocent crews and their families are the most obvious direct impacts of pirate activities. Apr 11, 2017 piracy and maritime security incidents in the gulf of guinea ivory coast to gabon in 2016. Jan, 2020 london and kuala lumpur, 14 january 2020 despite overall piracy incidents declining in 2019, there was an alarming increase in crew kidnappings across the gulf of guinea, according to the international chamber of commerces international maritime bureaus imb annual piracy report. Gulf of guinea worlds most dangerous piracy hotspot in response to two piracy incidents over three days off the coast of togo and benin, both involving crews taken hostage, we reiterate our advice for vessels to operate with a heightened level of security in the gulf of guinea region. Reports in the last few weeks have highlighted the persistent threat of piracy, armed robbery at sea and kidnapforransom in the gulf of guinea. Piracy in the gulf of guinea and policies against it the gulf of guinea offers 5,000 nautical miles of coastline for the maritime industry. The gulf of guinea is framed by 6 000 km of west african coastline, from senegal to angola. Piracy challenges in the gulf of guinea along the coast of ghana, togo, benin and nigeria in the midst of its oil finda case study of ghana. This was a key observation made by american and african experts at a workshop organised by the africa center for strategic studies in abidjan.
Cost of piracy in the gulf of guinea region the cost of piracy in the region comes in various shades. Pirates in the gulf of guinea are often part of heavily armed criminal enterprises, who employ violent methods to steal oil cargo. Assessing the threats, preparing the response on june 6, 20, in new york. Pdf piracy is a global phenomenon negatively affecting the security of the entire maritime traffic in the world. The latest figures from the international maritime bureau confirm the rising threat of piracy in nigerian waters. In 2012, the international maritime bureaus imb piracy reporting centre recorded 58 attacks, including 10 hijackings. Pdf piracy in gulf of guinea causes, efforts and solutions. A large share of the recent piracy attacks targeted. While piracy in the gog tends to be nigeriacentric, historical trends indicate the geographic scope of nigeriabased maritime piracy can quickly expand and contract. Piracy in the gulf of guinea council on foreign relations. Nigeria and maritime security in the gulf of guinea. Maritime security in the gulf of guinea pdf chatham house.
Fighting rising piracy in the gulf of guinea iss africa. Part of the challenge of addressing piracy in the gulf of guinea, for local governments and for the international community, will be the culture of impunity that continues to exist with respect to. Even though the number of reported piracy attacks in the gulf of guinea has. These attacks occurred in spite of increased attempts at regional and international cooperation to counter the rising incidents of piracy in the gulf of guinea.
Guidelines for owners, operators and masters for protection against piracy in the gulf of guinea region to be read in conjunction with bmp4 1. Kidnap for ransom piracy trending higher in gulf of guinea. Despite a global decline in piracy and armed robbery in recent years, the gulf of guinea. With the number of recent incidents of piracy in the region. The gulf of guinea is, in many ways, a perfect incubator for piracy, providing both resources and safe haven. The above guidance is the best available at the time of publication but is likely to change as reporting new. Armed attacks against ships in the oilrich gulf of guinea surged in 2018, making these waters off west and central africa the worlds most dangerous for piracy and armed robbery. Piracy and maritime security in the gulf of guinea.
The conclusion and signing of the agreement are expected to enhance security in the gulf of guinea and help in curbing maritime crimes such as piracy, crude oil theft, sabotage of oil rigs and. Recent trends in piracy and armed robbery armed attacks against ships in the oilrich gulf of guinea surged in 2018, making these waters off west and central africa the worlds most dangerous for piracy and armed robbery. Differences between piracy in the gulf of guinea and piracy off the coast of somalia acts of piracy are not new into the shipping transportation or carriage by sea, it has been there for centuries and happens everywhere though rarely happened in african waters until the years 2005 and onwards. This is a new addition to existing bmp versions already available which provides guidance on counter measures against piracy and armed robbery at sea. Fighting piracy in the gulf of guinea european union institute for. For much of the past seven years, maritime piracy has been on the increase around africa in spite of growing national, regional and international efforts at improving maritime security in these sea routes. The conduction of the swot analysis will occur through 16 international opinions from stakeholders such as individuals, countries, organisations, task forces, etc. Jan 14, 2019 worldwide, the imb piracy reporting centre prc recorded 201 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery in 2018, up from 180 in 2017. Gulf of guinea worlds most dangerous piracy hotspot. Guidelines for owners, operators and masters for protection against piracy in the gulf of guinea region v3 june 2018. Marisk by risk intelligence it is important to understand that many acts of nigerian piracy also have a hidden context that the uncritical reporting in the international press is unaware of. In 2012, the international maritime bureaus imb piracy reporting centre recorded 58. It has been now recognized connection between periods of increase in number of attacks with activities of boko haram off the coast of gulf of guinea.
The return of petropiracy on 10th january 2018, however, the threat of petropiracy tanker hijackings for product theft reemerged in the gulf of guinea following two years of. The gulf of guinea has once again emerged as the number one global piracy hotspot. Urges states of region to convene summit to develop common maritime strategy against threat. European union institute for security studies euiss.
Security council expresses deep concern at piracy in gulf. Mohamed mahmoud abdel fattah head of training department regional maritime security institute, aastmt abstract piracy is a global phenomenon negatively affecting the security of the entire maritime traffic in the world. Reports of attacks in waters between the ivory coast and the democratic republic. Piracy and armed robbery at sea continues to threaten seafarers in regions like gulf of guinea, the waters of south east asia and the waters off somalia. A third, the gulf of guinea commission, has been an empty shell since its creation in 2001. Piracy on the rise in gulf of guinea news for the oil. The distinction between piracy and armed robbery at sea is a technical one, and depends on where the act was perpetrated. Security council 6727th meeting am security council expresses deep concern at piracy in gulf of guinea. Piracy in gulf of guinea causes, efforts and solutions. Combating piracy will most likely be a long process. Its sea basin is an important resource for fisheries and is part of a key sea route for the transport of goods between central and southern africa and the rest of the world. There are three geographical areas which have become zones of. The gulf of guinea very much remains a highrisk area for piracy and armed robbery. In addition, in the gulf of guinea, the oil boom has.
With the media reporting of new attacks in recent weeks, including kidnappings for ransom, we examine the piracy threat and its trends in the gulf of guinea. Dynamics and trends of piracy in the gulf of guinea. Piracy and maritime security incidents in the gulf of guinea ivory coast to gabon in 2016. The gulf of guinea remains increasingly dangerous for seafarers. Shipowners and seafarers are required to stay extremely cautious and vigilant when their ship enters a piracy sensitive area. Introduction piracy and armed robbery hereafter referred to as piracy in the gulf of guinea region is an established criminal activity and is. Introduction piracy and armed robbery hereafter referred to as piracy in the gulf of guinea region is an established criminal activity and is of increasing concern to the maritime sector.
The effect of piracy on crew and their safety continues to be a cause for concern and transiting west african waters remains particularly difficult. A swot analysis of maritime transportation and security in. Dynamics and trends of piracy in the gulf of guinea for much of the past seven years, maritime piracy has been on the increase around africa in spite of growing national, regional and international efforts at improving maritime security in these sea routes. Apr 11, 2019 with the media reporting of new attacks in recent weeks, including kidnappings for ransom, we examine the piracy threat and its trends in the gulf of guinea. Interim guidelines for owners, operators and masters for protection against piracy in the gulf of guinea region to be read in conjunction with bmp4 1. The anatomy of gulf of guinea piracy us naval war college. The outbreak of piracy off the coast of the gulf of guinea has long been overshadowed by somali piracy, which has seized the attention of the international community in recent years. Surrounded by some of africas most proficient oil producers, including nigeria, angola, gabon, ghana, and equatorial guinea, the gulf is a major transit route for oil tankers on. Piracy in the gulf of guinea affects a number of countries in west africa as well as the wider international community. The modus operandi of piracy on the gulf of guinea include violence, especially because they utilise sophisticated weapons, such as. Differences and similarities between gulf of guinea and. London and kuala lumpur, 14 january 2020 despite overall piracy incidents declining in 2019, there was an alarming increase in crew kidnappings across the gulf of guinea, according to the international chamber of commerces international maritime bureaus imb annual piracy report.
Piracy and maritime security in the gulf of guinea al. Much of the piracy that affects west africa is a product of the disorder that surrounds the regional oil industry. This worrying rise in insecurity follows a period where the gulf of guinea was believed to be emerging from maritime risk, given a gradual decline in vessel attacks in the area from 20 to 2015. The modus operandi of piracy on the gulf of guinea include violence, especially because they utilise sophisticated weapons, such as ak47s. Piracy increased in the first quarter of 2020, with the gulf of guinea continuing to hold its position as the most dangerous waters in the world. Interim guidelines for owners, operators and masters for. Reflections on the move from piracy to maritime security 26. Recently, the hijacking of product tankers from anchorages in the gulf of guinea is of great concern. Piracy challenges in the gulf of guinea along the coast of. Amid the lack of regional cooperation in west africa, piracy in the gulf of guinea has steadily increased since 2010. Piracy attacks and armed robbery at sea 8 in the gulf of guinea comprised a fifth of all recorded maritime incidents globally in 20.
Piracy in gulf of guinea causes, efforts and solutions capt. Best management practices to deter piracy and enhance maritime security off the coast of west africa including the gulf of guinea bmp west africa produced and supported by. City kulak ix enugu trt agip madonna 1 bburbon liberty 251. In order to conduct this analysis it is necessary to co, n. Piracy attacks in the gulf of guinea have taken a worrying trend. Security council expresses deep concern at piracy in gulf of.
These figures represent only a fraction of the actual attacks in the region as ship owners and governments downplay incidents to avoid increased shipping costs or a reputation for insecurity. Worldwide, the imb piracy reporting centre prc recorded 201 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery in 2018, up from 180 in 2017. Following our circular on piracy in the gulf of guinea of 30 october 2019 we can now advise that a new maritime security guidance is available for west africa. The coast of somalia and the horn of africa achieves increasing attention since 2007 on the other side piracy in west africa, notably the gulf of guinea, has become the third major recognized area. Gulf of guinea worlds most dangerous piracy hotspot gard. Maritime piracy and armed robbery at sea are not a new phenomenon in the gulf of guinea, yet pirate attacks have risen constantly over the past ten years. Unlike the somali pirates, the pirates in the gulf of guinea target the cargoes, especially the oil laden tankers for their cargo. Guidelines for owners, operators and masters for protection. The escalation confirms the gulf of guineas status as the main locus for maritime insecurity in africa. Piracy in the gulf of guinea accounted for nearly 30% of attacks 427 of 1,434 in african waters between 2003 and 2011, and that proportion is increasing.
Pirates in the gulf of guinea are flexible in their operations so it is difficult to predict a precise area where a ship might fall victim to piracy. The meeting aimed to help develop a better understanding of the peace and security challenges facing the gulf of guinea by examining the multifaceted threats to the stability of the region. A large share of the recent piracy attacks targeted vessels carrying petroleum products. Clearly, a specific, realistic solution is needed as soon as possible to minimise the longterm consequences of piracy in the gulf of guinea. The gulf of guinea saw a rise in violence at sea in 2016 while global figures of piracy declined. Piracy in the gulf of guinea european parliament european union. Pdf piracy and maritime security in the gulf of guinea.
Updated best practices to deter piracy issued safety4sea. In 2019, nearly half of all reported incidents worldwide and 90 percent of all piracyrelated kidnappings took place in the waters between angola and senegal. So far in 2019, the gulf of guinea region accounts for almost 90% of crew taken hostage and more than 80% of crew kidnappings globally, according to the international chamber of commerce international maritime bureau imb. The gulf of guinea remains a hot spot for piracy, accounting for the vast majority of seagoing hostage seizures and kidnappings globally, according to the international maritime bureau imb.
Also, iccs imb piracy reporting center noted that nigeria remains risky highlighting the need for vigilance in the gulf of guinea. In terms of regional action, this institutional division means a. The gulf of guinea is divided between two regional organisations. Modus operandi of piracy in the gulf of guinea and coast of ghana there are a high number of piracy attacks off the gulf of guinea and coast of ghana and this rate is increasing. Today, the gulf of guinea stands as the most dangerous maritime area in terms. Research report page 2 of 8 nations affected by the gulf of guinea piracy, however nigeria is the most impacted state, as it is the largest in the region. Armed attacks against ships in the oilrich gulf of guinea surged in 2018, making these waters off west and central.
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