A DGI report shows a risk of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea

The second quarterly report of the International Maritime Bureau of the ICC (IMB) shows that all 2018 crew abductions have already occurred in the Gulf of Guinea in six separate incidents.

A total of 107 incidents were reported to the IMB's Piracy Intelligence Center during the first six months of 2018. A total of 69 vessels were boarded, 23 attempted bombings, 11 ships fired and four hijacked ships. The number of crew members taken hostage increased from 63 to 102 compared to the same period in 2017.

The number of crew abductions increased from 41 in the second quarter to 2017 to 25 until now in 2018. However, the 25 crew abductions reported this year occurred during six incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, highlighting the higher risks in this area.

By the way, the actual number of incidents in the Gulf of According to the report, Guinea is "significantly higher" than what is reported in the PRC of the IMB.

Pottengal Mukundan, director of the DGI, said: "The 2018 figures demonstrate the value of a transparent and timely reporting. The reports help to focus on risk areas and inform ships of the evolution of hazards and allow the authorities to intervene effectively. "

Outside the Gulf of Guinea, the number of incidents in 2018 declined in other hotspots. No incidents have been reported off the coast of Somalia in the second quarter of 2018. However, the Masters are urged to continue to maintain a high level of vigilance during transit through the high-risk area and to follow the latest version of best management practices.

The number of incidents in the Philippines dropped from 13 in the second quarter of 2017 to three over the same period this year.

The Malaysian Maritime Law Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is praised for the rapid boarding and oil product that was attacked by armed robbers at about six nautical miles in the morning. East of Pulau Tinggi, Malaysia. Fourteen thieves were arrested for investigation and two were arrested in Indonesia by the Indonesian law enforcement authorities.