The annual Piracy and Armed Robbery Report of the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has expressed concern over the first successful Somali based hijacking since 2017 while noting an overall rise in maritime piracy incidents.
The IMB annual report recorded 120 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery against ships in 2023 compared to 115 in 2022.
The 2023 annual report reveals that 105 vessels were boarded, nine attempted attacks, four vessels hijacked and two fired upon. Where the number of 2023 reported incidents has slightly increased compared to 2022, the IMB urges caution for crew safety as the number of crew taken hostage and kidnapped increased from 41 to 73 and from two to 14 in 2022 and 2023 respectively. A further 10 crew were threatened, four injured and one assaulted in 2023.
On 14 December 2023 the report recorded the first successful hijacking of a vessel off the coast of Somalia since 2017. A handymax bulk carrier was boarded and hijacked by alleged Somali pirates. The incident took place around 700 nautical miles (nm) East of Bosaso in Somalia. Reports also suggest two dhows were subsequently hijacked, a type of vessel with potential use as mother ships for further attacks.
IMB Director Michael Howlett comments: “This is a cause for concern and the IMB is once again calling for all masters and vessel owners to continue following the recommendations and reporting procedures as per the latest version of the Best Management Practices,” adding that the incident demonstrates the continued capabilities of the Somali pirates.
Despite the continued restraint in the number of reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, with 22 in 2023 compared to 19 in 2022, 35 in 2021 and 81 in 2020, these waters accounted for three of the four globally reported hijackings, all 14 crew kidnappings, and 75% of reported crew hostages and two injured crew in 2023 – continuing to be dangerous waters for seafarers.
Concerns have been raised over crew safety in the Singapore Straits, the Malacca Straits, and the Indonesian archipelago due to the high number of incidents reported. The Singapore Straits, in particular, reported 95% successful incidents, with 37 incidents reported in 2023 and nine crew taken hostage.
South America has also seen potential threats, with 14 incidents reported from vessels at Callao anchorage in Peru.
(Image from IMB)
