Asia/Pacific News
Attacks Against Fuel Tankers in SE Asia Dropped in 2015, Says IMB
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) says that the organisation's annual piracy report has shown a decline in attacks against small fuel tankers along South East (SE) Asian coasts.
"IMB particularly commends the robust actions taken by the Indonesian and Malaysian authorities in the arrest and prosecution of two gangs that hijacked tankers. We also applaud the subsequent arrest of some of the alleged masterminds," said Pottengal Mukundan, Director of IMB.
Noting the decrease in attacks in SE Asia as a "key factor" in the fewer number of global hijackings seen overall in 2015, the IMB PRC says it will continue to work with Indonesian authorities, specifically the Indonesian Marine Police, to monitor high-risk areas in the region.
With SE Asia said to still account for most of the global incidents of piracy and armed robbery, Mukundan urges shipmasters to adhere to strict anti-piracy and robbery watches when in the region.
Due to increased risk for vessels and crew, IMB says that a rise in attacks on moving vessels in the region is a "cause for concern," noting that almost 55 percent attacks reported in SE Asia were against vessels underway, compared to 37 percent in 2014.
Piracy and Armed Robbery Incidents in 2015
Overall, the report is said to show that, while there have been reductions in the number of ships hijacked and crew captured, global levels of piracy and armed robbery at sea are continuing to remain close to 2014 levels with 246 incidents recorded in 2015, just one more than the previous year.
IMB says that 203 ships were boarded during 2015, an 11 percent rise year on year, while one vessel was fired at, and 27 attacks had been hindered.
During 2015, pirates are said to have killed one seafarer and injured at least 14 others, while instances of kidnapping more than doubled from the previous year with 19 in 2015, compared to nine in 2014.
No hijackings were reported during 2015's last quarter, while a total of 15 vessels are said to have been hijacked during the whole 2015 year, a decline from 21 hijackings reported for 2014.
Nigeria a "Hot Spot"
Nigeria is a "hotspot for violent piracy and armed robbery," says IMB, noting that many attacks are thought to go unreported.
IMB is said to have received reports of 14 incidents, including the boarding of nine vessels, one of which saw 10 pirates armed with AK47 rifles hijack a tanker, taking all nine of the vessel's crew hostage.
Risk Persists in Somolia
Despite no Somali attacks reported during 2015 and a 55 percent reduction in the industry-defined High Risk Area, IMB continues to warns vessel operators in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean to maintain vigilance.
"Somalia remains a fragile state, and the potential for an attack remains high. It will only take one successful hijacking to undo all that has been done, and rekindle this criminal activity," said Mukundan.
In November, a report from the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre suggested that, while piracy and armed robbery in Asian waters was down, 2015 was still on course to hit a five year high.
