Piracy Kidnapping Doubled in 2016

Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Email
pirates_kidnap_1280_800_84_s_c1

Piracy has shifted away from hijacking and towards kidnapping, according to new analysis released today by IHS Markit, a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions.

Devlin McStay, Data Analyst at IHS Maritime and Trade, said: “Piracy has changed in the past three years, the number of piracy attacks is decreasing overall, but kidnapping is becoming more common. We are seeing the number of kidnappings rise in the piracy hotspots of Southeast Asia and West Africa.”

IHS Maritime & Trade tracked nine kidnappings in 2014. That number rose to 19 in 2015 and so far stands at 44 from January to 30 September 2016.

In 2015, a total of 19 crew members were kidnapped. Between January and September 2016, 44 crew members were kidnapped. Within the same time-frame 37% of crew involved in a piracy situation have been kidnapped.

In the Gulf of Guinea, kidnapping accounted for 20% of all piracy indents in 2012, hijacking 24 percent and robbery 56%. Between January and September 2016, 60 percent of all piracy incidents were kidnaps and 40% robberies.

Martin Roberts, senior analyst at IHS Country Risk, said: “Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea is focused on kidnap for ransom and is concentrated on high-value Western targets.

“The need for alternative funding and ongoing militancy in the Niger Delta region will continue to drive these risks into 2017. Onshore dynamics are affecting offshore risks.” 

Technical Paper: IoT: Piracy and Maritime Cyber Risks

The areas most affected by piracy include Southeast Asia, near the Malacca Straits, the Gulf of Aden, and the Gulf of Guinea.

In 2014, there were 245 piracy attacks across 26 countries, 20 fewer than 2013. The numbers of incidents in 2015 were similar. So far, 2016 has had fewer than 100 attacks, making it the quietest year in six years.

The seas around the Philippines are the most pirated, with the seas around Nigeria the second most and the seas around India third.

McStay said: “Tankers and bulk carriers are the target of choice, with smaller product chemical and oil tankers the most sought after, a healthy demand for black market fuel and cargo that can be transferred quickly, means that these are the most sought after.”

Ridzwan Rahmat, naval analyst and reporter at IHS Jane’s, said: “We are now seeing terrorist groups, such as Abu Sayyaf, employing a modus operandi more commonly associated with the region's pirate groups.”

Between March and July 2016, armed cells affiliated with the Abu Sayyaf are suspected to have been behind at least six known cases of kidnap-for-ransom operations, involving five tugs towing barges and a fishing trawler underway in waters off eastern Sabah and the Southern Philippines.

Back in March, 2016 PTI reported that piracy in the South East Asia region is approaching the numbers and frequency of piracy off the Somalian coast; the Strait of Malacca near the contentious South China Sea is also a security concern right now for shippers, with half of merchant maritime traffic passing through ever year it is a prime target for piracy.

Daily Email Newsletter

Sign up to our daily email newsletter to receive the latest news from Port Technology International.
FREE

Supplier Directory

Find out how to get listed

Webinar Series

Find out how to attend

Latest Stories

Cookie Policy. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.