More crew were kidnapped at sea in 2016 than in any of the previous 10 years, despite global piracy reaching its lowest levels since 1998, the ICC International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) annual piracy report revealed.
In total, IMB recorded 191 incidents of piracy and armed robbery on the world’s seas last year.
“The continued fall in piracy is good news, but certain shipping routes remain dangerous, and the escalation of crew kidnapping is a worrying trend in some emerging areas,” said Mr Pottengal Mukundan, Director of IMB whose Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) has monitored world piracy since 1991.
“The kidnappings in the Sulu Seas between eastern Malaysia and the Philippines are a particular concern.”
According to the report, the kidnapping of crew from ocean going merchant vessels in the Sulu Sea and their transfer to the Southern Philippines represents a notable escalation in attacks. In the last quarter, 12 crew were kidnapped from two cargo vessels underway and an anchored fishing vessel, and in November, a bulk carrier was fired upon, but pirates were not able to board the vessel. Earlier in 2016, crewmembers were kidnapped in three attacks on vulnerable slow-moving tugs and barges.
As a result, IMB has advised charterers and owners to consider avoiding the Sulu Sea by routing vessels West of Kalimantan.
Worldwide in 2016, 150 vessels were boarded, 12 vessels were fired upon, seven were hijacked, and 22 attacks were thwarted. The number of hostages fell to 151.
Maritime kidnappings, however, showed a three-fold increase on 2015. Pirates kidnapped 62 people for ransom in 15 separate incidents in 2016. Just over half were captured off West Africa, while 28 were kidnapped from tugs, barges, fishing boats, and more recently merchant ships, around Malaysia and Indonesia.
Mr Mukundan said ships should stay vigilant in high-risk areas. “Shipmasters should follow the latest best management practices and, where possible, take early action to avoid being boarded. They should inform the IMB PRC or regional counter piracy centres for help and advice,” he said.
IMB also urged governments to investigate and identify the kidnappers and punish them under law.