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| Image Courtesy: Oceans Beyond Piracy |
(WMN)The Gulf of Guinea pirates have
been yielding ransom payments of up to USD 400,000
for kidnapped seafarers in 2015, according to a maritime
piracy report released by Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP).
been yielding ransom payments of up to USD 400,000
for kidnapped seafarers in 2015, according to a maritime
piracy report released by Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP).
While piracy in
the region started 2015 with a series of violent incidents,
kidnapping for ransom was the most widespread model of piracy throughout the
year, which continued escalating into the first quarter of 2016.
the region started 2015 with a series of violent incidents,
kidnapping for ransom was the most widespread model of piracy throughout the
year, which continued escalating into the first quarter of 2016.
“With
6 kidnapping incidents in the first quarter of 2016 alone, and a steady rate of
attacks and kidnappings through the writing of this report, it is clear that
efforts to combat piracy in the region have successfully reduced incidents of
hijacking for oil theft, however, much more remains to secure seafarers from
the threat of kidnapping,” OBP said.
6 kidnapping incidents in the first quarter of 2016 alone, and a steady rate of
attacks and kidnappings through the writing of this report, it is clear that
efforts to combat piracy in the region have successfully reduced incidents of
hijacking for oil theft, however, much more remains to secure seafarers from
the threat of kidnapping,” OBP said.
According to the
report, the surge in kidnappings could be related to the political
situation in Nigeria, as well as a decline in oil theft due to a drop in oil
prices, making the stolen cargo less profitable.
report, the surge in kidnappings could be related to the political
situation in Nigeria, as well as a decline in oil theft due to a drop in oil
prices, making the stolen cargo less profitable.
Kidnapping for
ransom incidents, which are heavily concentrated off of the Niger Delta region,
particularly in areas with significant levels of offshore oil
production, made up the majority of successful incidents in 2015.
ransom incidents, which are heavily concentrated off of the Niger Delta region,
particularly in areas with significant levels of offshore oil
production, made up the majority of successful incidents in 2015.
However, the rate
of hijacking for cargo theft dropped from years past as only one vessel was
hijacked and had its cargo stolen, though there were several other
instances in which pirates were likely attempting this type of attack.
According to the report, the improved patrolling of Nigerian waters and the
drop in oil prices were the main reasons for the decline.
of hijacking for cargo theft dropped from years past as only one vessel was
hijacked and had its cargo stolen, though there were several other
instances in which pirates were likely attempting this type of attack.
According to the report, the improved patrolling of Nigerian waters and the
drop in oil prices were the main reasons for the decline.
Gulf of Guinea
pirates and robbers also significantly expanded the types of vessels targeted.
While tankers were targeted in more than 50% of attacks in 2014, this
percentage dropped to 18% in 2015.
pirates and robbers also significantly expanded the types of vessels targeted.
While tankers were targeted in more than 50% of attacks in 2014, this
percentage dropped to 18% in 2015.
While the total
number of incidents in 2015 was less than in 2014, the human cost—both in terms
of casualties and severity of incidents, as well as the aggregate number of
seafarers affected—was higher.
number of incidents in 2015 was less than in 2014, the human cost—both in terms
of casualties and severity of incidents, as well as the aggregate number of
seafarers affected—was higher.
In total, 23
seafares were killed, 4 sustained major injuries, and 15 others received minor
injuries, while 44 were kidnapped, 11 threatened, and 58 were forcibly detained
during hijackings for cargo theft, robbery, or use as a mothership.
seafares were killed, 4 sustained major injuries, and 15 others received minor
injuries, while 44 were kidnapped, 11 threatened, and 58 were forcibly detained
during hijackings for cargo theft, robbery, or use as a mothership.
During the year a
total of 54 attacks were reported, as opposed to 67 in 2014, according to OBP’s
dataset, which excludes reports of incidents occurring while vessels were
berthed and incidents not requiring the perpetrators to utilize a boat to
approach the victim vessel.
total of 54 attacks were reported, as opposed to 67 in 2014, according to OBP’s
dataset, which excludes reports of incidents occurring while vessels were
berthed and incidents not requiring the perpetrators to utilize a boat to
approach the victim vessel.
