The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) annual piracy report has revealed continued piracy and armed robbery attacks on ships worldwide in 2015.
The latest annual report stated that a total of 246 incidents were recorded last year compared to 245 in 2014.
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According to IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC), a total number of 15 vessels were hijacked in 2015 compared to a 21 in 2014, while 271 hostages were held on their ships, compared with 442 in 2014.
The last quarter of 2015 had no record of hijackings.
IMB attributes the global reduction in hijackings to the drop in attacks against small fuel tankers around South East Asia’s coasts.
IMB director Pottengal Mukundan said: "IMB particularly commends the robust actions taken by the Indonesian and Malaysian authorities in the arrest and prosecution of two gangs that hijacked tankers.
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By GlobalData"We also applaud the subsequent arrest of some of the alleged masterminds."
However, Mukundan stressed on maintaining stricter anti-piracy and robbery surveillance.
South-east Asia continued to account for the highest number of piracy occurrences, with nearly 55% of the region’s attacks were against vessels underway.
The IMB PRC has been coordinating with the Indonesian Marine Police and other Indonesian authorities to monitor high-risk areas.
Nigeria accounted for 14 incidents of violent piracy and armed robbery and an incident of crew members taken hostage.
Somalia accounted for no attacks in 2015, however, IMB advised the vessels transiting through the ‘industry-defined high risk area’ to keep a look-out for any potential threats.
Vietnam witnessed a rise from seven to 27 thefts in 2015 and China recorded four incidents in December.
Bangladesh recorded a decrease in sea-borne piracy incidents from 21 in 2014 to 11 incidents in 2015.
Image: Maritime piracy hotspots. Photo: courtesy of International chamber of Commerce.
