Web Alert: Dryad Maritime publishes maritime crime figures for the third quarter of 2016

Gulf of Guinea

The Nigerian Economic Exclusion Zone remains a high piracy risk area. However, there was a significant decrease in the number of attacks aimed at kidnapping crew; four attacks in this area have been reported in comparison with 36 for the first half of 2016.

Attempted overnight theft from vessels within port and anchorage areas has increased during the third quarter of 2016 and seems to be a prevalent feature of West African ports, particularly Takoradi, Lagos and Pointe Noire. In total, there have been 18 attempts to board ships compared to eight in the second quarter.

No incidents of hijacking have been reported in this quarter.

Dryad further reports that stowaways remain a problem in this area. A vessel's rudder trunk seems to be the most common place to hide .

Southeast Asia

There have been 24 reported incidents of piracy or maritime crime across the area during the third quarter of 2016. The most significant incidents have been attacks in East Malaysia resulting in the kidnapping of 11 mariners.

No incidents of hijacking have been reported in this quarter and low value thefts from vessels at anchor or alongside account for the majority of incidents during the third quarter.

Dryad reports that maritime crime levels across Southeast Asia are at their lowest levels since 2009.

Horn of Africa

There have been no reported acts of piracy or attempted piracy in the Indian Ocean’s High Risk Area during the last three months largely due to unfavourable weather conditions and sea states. Reports of vessels being approached in the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are still being received but have reduced significantly. Whilst the threat has not gone away, Dryad considers the likelihood of a revival of open ocean piracy to be low.

Mediterranean

Islamist terrorism and migration are the main concerns in this area. Security has tightened over the last three months as further terrorist attacks remain highly likely. At the same time, the number of migrants trying to reach the Mediterranean has dropped in 2016 due to enhanced cooperation between coastguard authorities and NATO.

Smuggling is also an important challenge facing many countries in the region. Dryad reports smugglers have opened new areas of operation throughout the region.

Members should exercise vigilance in all areas which may be subject to piracy or other maritime security threats.

A link to Dryad Maritime’s website can be found on the right of this page.

For further information, please contact your usual contact at the club or the authors of this article.