Concerns have been raised about a rise in piracy, ascribed to western navies shifting focus to try to quell Houthi militants’ attacks on merchant shipping in the Red Sea.
The annual Piracy and Armed Robbery Report of the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has revealed the first successful Somali-based hijacking since 2017.
It recorded 120 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery against ships in 2023 compared to 115 in 2022.
The 2023 annual report reveals that 105 vessels were boarded, there were nine attempted attacks, four vessels were hijacked and two fired upon.
Where the number of 2023 reported incidents has slightly increased compared to 2022, the IMB has urged caution for crew safety as the number of crew taken hostage and kidnapped increased from 41 to 73 and from two to 14 in 2022 and 2023 respectively. A further 10 crew were threatened, four injured and one assaulted in 2023.
The vessel hijacked off the Somali coast of was a handymax bulk carrier. The incident took place around 700 nautical miles (nm) East of Bosaso in Somalia. Reports also suggest two dhows were subsequently hijacked, a type of vessel with potential use as mother ships for further attacks.
IMB Director Michael Howlett said this was cause for concern and called on masters and vessel owners to continue following the recommendations and reporting procedures as per the latest version of the Best Management Practices.
“Despite the continued restraint in the number of reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, with 22 in 2023 compared to 19 in 2022, 35 in 2021 and 81 in 2020, these waters accounted for three of the four globally reported hijackings, all 14 crew kidnappings, and 75% of reported crew hostages and two injured crew in 2023 – continuing to be dangerous waters for seafarers,” he said.
The Singapore Straits remain an area of concern due to the high number of incidents. While considered low-level opportunistic crimes, 95% of reported incidents were successful, with 37 reported incidents overall in 2023 compared to 38 in 2022. Crew continue to be harmed with nine taken hostage and two threatened. Guns were reported in three recorded incidents and knives in 15.
“We are concerned due to the late reporting and under-reporting by vessels. The IMB continues to encourage timely reporting of all incidents, as it contributes to a more accurate understanding of risk,” said Howlett.
One crew member was injured and required medical attention after a bulk carrier was boarded in the Malacca Straits in October 2023. The last reported incident of crew injured by pirates in the area was in 2015.
A year-on-year increase in reported incidents has been observed in the Indonesian archipelago, up from 10 in 2022 to 18 in 2023. Weapons were reported in 50% of the incidents. Seven crew were threatened and two taken hostage in 2023.
There’s also a looming threat in South America where 14 incidents were reported from vessels at Callao anchorage in Peru. Seven crew were taken hostage and one each assaulted and threatened. Guns and knives were reported in nine incidents. Other ports affected in South America were Macapá anchorage in Brazil, and Cartagena and Puerto Bolivar anchorages in Colombia.
