The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) expressed concern over the growth of piracy cases reported in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea in its Mid-Year Report 2023. Although the IMB Piracy Reporting Center reported an overall decline in global piracy in 2023, threat levels in the region remain high.

In 2023, the IMB recorded 65 cases of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the first half of the year, up from 58 events in the same period in 2022. This study comes after the IMB recorded the lowest number of reported acts of global piracy and armed robbery since 1993 in the first quarter of 2023, demonstrating its increase in the second quarter.

The Gulf of Guinea accounts for most seafarer kidnappings and ransom situations worldwide, presenting many stressful and challenging conditions for the maritime industry. The region is responsible for 32 per cent of reported acts of piracy globally and 50 per cent of crew seizure cases. Attacks on merchant ships in the area are so common that they are considered a constant risk to those operating there.

The Gulf of Guinea witnessed a “worrying” increase in accidents in the first half of 2023, with five accidents reported in the first quarter and nine in the second. Of these, 12 were classified as armed robberies and two as acts of piracy, with a predominant target on ships anchored in the region.

Ship hijacking poses a severe threat to those working in the maritime industry. A critical difference between the two regions is the target of the hijackings. In West Africa, the focus of the hijacking is usually around product theft, which often results in a hostage situation.

When pirates board a ship to steal products, they are often concerned about lingering where they would be an easy target for security forces coming to the aid of hijacked ships, leading the pirates to take the crew hostage and use them as human shields. This means that hijacking turns into a seizure case, even if the pirates’ goal was to steal the product with seizure as a secondary motive.

Many cases of pirate hijacking involve a crew or individuals held hostage, which puts both ship owners and management authorities in challenging situations. In some places, paying ransom to ensure the crew’s safety is seen as a violation of sanctions or an illegal act, which the panel recognized as a hugely troubling situation.

With concern surrounding the legality of ransom payments, what can ship owners do to ensure that negotiations are handled best? In piracy situations where a ransom is demanded, companies such as MS Risk prepare reports for ship owners and insurers to highlight the circumstances of the hijacking.

According to figures provided by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), 68 pirate attacks have been reported globally this year through July 1, including 60 cases of seizures of individuals at sea, with 50 occurring in the East and West African regions. However, many cases are not accounted for, so the figures could be much higher.

When discussing why piracy attacks might go unreported, several points emerge. The first examines the reputational concern involved in the reporting of certain events. Morrissey touched on the reluctance of authorities to disclose these events. Another problem that can hinder the reporting of piracy incidents is that smaller ships often go unaccounted for. Operators of small fishing boats may not report every case of piracy, which affects the overall number. However, if they do report accidents, this information is usually forgotten as more attention is paid to reports from larger, commercial ships-particularly those with insurance.

Since its founding in 1991, IMB’s Piracy Reporting Center has been a crucial 24-hour point of contact for reporting piracy crimes and supporting distressed ships. Quick responses and attention to coordination with response agencies, sending warning broadcasts and e-mail alerts to ships have all contributed to enhanced safety on the high seas. The data collected by the Center also provide critical insights into the nature and status of modern piracy.

The IMB encourages all shipmasters and owners to report all suspected, attempted, and actual acts of global piracy and armed robbery to the Piracy Reporting Center as a critical first step in ensuring that authorities allocate adequate resources to address maritime piracy.

The Gulf of Guinea is one of the most important economic areas in the world, with a population of more than 40 million. The growing presence of transnational organized crime and the accelerating development of criminal economies in the region add to the already fragmented security environment. There is a strong need to improve maritime security, including combating piracy and maritime smuggling, which threaten the region’s economic and socio-political development.

Operation Gabinia represents a significant contribution toward increasing the capabilities of local navies in combating piracy and maintaining order at sea. Establishing a robust information-sharing mechanism between the Italian Navy and regional navies will be crucial in the fight against piracy. This may involve exchanging real-time intelligence, sharing best practices, and coordinating efforts to track and apprehend pirate groups operating in the region. In addition, the Italian Navy can work with regional navies to support the development and implementing of effective legal mechanisms that deter piracy and facilitate the prosecution of offenders.