Piracy up 300pc in 2008, reports International Maritime Bureau
AN annual piracy report from the International Maritime Bureau's (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre saw its 2008 figures at highest since it began reporting in 1991 and tripled in the Gulf of Aden compared to 2007.
Globally there was an 11 per cent increase in piracy compared to year previous with 293 incidents of piracy against ships last year. The number of vessels hijacked rose year on year from 18 to 49 with 889 crew taken hostage, of whom 32 were injured, 11 killed, and 21 missing and presumed dead.
But IMB director Pottengal Mukundan said that efforts to stem the Somali piracy were encouraging. "International navies are the only ones capable of an effective response against piracy and can help to secure the safety and security," he said.
Forty-six vessels were also fired upon according to the annual report. Guns were used in 139 incidents compared to 72 previously.
Nigeria ranked second in attacks around the world showing an overall tally of 40 incidents and reports of 100 unconfirmed incidents. Reported attacks accounted for 27 vessels boarded, five hijacked and 39 crew kidnapped.
Pirate attacks decline in Indonesia, Malacca Straits and Bangladesh (Chittagong) and Tanzania (Dar es Salaam) where precautionary measures and increased vigilance kept pirates at bay.
"Indonesia should be applauded for its sustained efforts in curbing piracy and armed robbery in its waters," said Capt Mukundan. "Compared to 2003 when 121 attacks were reported, there has been a continued year-on-year decline with 28 incidents reported in 2008, most of which were opportunistic, low-level attacks."
Attacks in Chittagong and Dar es Salaam involved vessels at anchor or those approaching anchorage and in light of this the IMB advised all shipmasters to maintain strict anti-piracy watches especially while approaching these anchorages and while anchored.
Globally there was an 11 per cent increase in piracy compared to year previous with 293 incidents of piracy against ships last year. The number of vessels hijacked rose year on year from 18 to 49 with 889 crew taken hostage, of whom 32 were injured, 11 killed, and 21 missing and presumed dead.
But IMB director Pottengal Mukundan said that efforts to stem the Somali piracy were encouraging. "International navies are the only ones capable of an effective response against piracy and can help to secure the safety and security," he said.
Forty-six vessels were also fired upon according to the annual report. Guns were used in 139 incidents compared to 72 previously.
Nigeria ranked second in attacks around the world showing an overall tally of 40 incidents and reports of 100 unconfirmed incidents. Reported attacks accounted for 27 vessels boarded, five hijacked and 39 crew kidnapped.
Pirate attacks decline in Indonesia, Malacca Straits and Bangladesh (Chittagong) and Tanzania (Dar es Salaam) where precautionary measures and increased vigilance kept pirates at bay.
"Indonesia should be applauded for its sustained efforts in curbing piracy and armed robbery in its waters," said Capt Mukundan. "Compared to 2003 when 121 attacks were reported, there has been a continued year-on-year decline with 28 incidents reported in 2008, most of which were opportunistic, low-level attacks."
Attacks in Chittagong and Dar es Salaam involved vessels at anchor or those approaching anchorage and in light of this the IMB advised all shipmasters to maintain strict anti-piracy watches especially while approaching these anchorages and while anchored.