The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) published its latest Global Piracy Report on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The report reveals that the number of kidnappings recorded in the Gulf of Guinea, in the second quarter of 2021, is the lowest since the second quarter of 2019.

The IMB welcomes the reduction in piracy and armed robbery activities in the Gulf of Guinea. The number of kidnappings recorded in this maritime area in the second quarter of 2021 is the lowest since the second quarter of 2019. Globally, piracy and armed robbery at sea fell to their lowest level in 27 years in the first half of 2021, according to the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Center. Despite an overall drop in reported incidents, violence against crews continued with 50 crew members abducted, two assaulted, one injured and one killed throughout the first half of 2021.

The IMB urged caution. The IMB Piracy Reporting Center reported that 61 ships were boarded, four attempted attacks, two ships were fired upon and one ship was hijacked. The report indicates that the Gulf of Guinea continues to be particularly dangerous for seafarers, with 32% of all incidents reported in the region, according to the IMB. The area accounted for the 50 kidnapped crews and the death of a single crew recorded by IMB Piracy Reporting Center during the first half of 2021. In early June, a bulk carrier was approached by a skiff with six pirates while passing through the area at about 210 nm off the coast of Lagos.

Preventive measures according to the IMB

The IMB recommends that sailors report all incidents to regional authorities in order to maintain pressure against pirates. He also advocates for maritime response authorities to unite through initiatives such as Nigeria's Deep Blue Project and the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum. This will continue and strengthen the channels of knowledge sharing and reduce the risks for seafarers in the region. Vessel owners are also advised to take precautionary measures while anchored in Manila Bay, Philippines, as four incidents have been reported to IMB for the second quarter of 2021. Vigils will also need to be maintained. anti-piracy while transiting high-risk areas and report all suspicious movements of boats and skiffs, to the IMB Piracy Reporting Center (IMB PRC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.