Web Alert: IMB report global piracy has dropped in Q1 2019

IMB reported 38 incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea, representing 28 fewer incidents than the first quarter of 2018 (66). Of particular importance is that although 27 vessels were boarded, seven vessels were fired upon and four attempted attacks occurred, no vessels were reported as hijacked for the first time since the first quarter of 1994.

IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan has commented: 'These latest statistics from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre are encouraging. However, first quarter statistics is too short a period on which to anticipate trends over the year. It confirms the importance of information sharing and coordinated action between the industry and response agencies. Going forward, it is critical to continue to build more effective reporting structures to enable a strong, unified response when dealing with piracy incidents.'

Regions where incidents reported

As a region, the Gulf of Guinea accounts for 22 of the 38 reported incidents. No incidents have been reported off Somalia, however IMB urges vessels to continue implementing BMP5 recommended practices while transiting these waters.

Trusted global anti-piracy support 

Since 1991, IMB’s 24-hour manned Piracy Reporting Centre has provided the maritime industry, governments and response agencies with timely and transparent data on piracy and armed robbery incidents – received directly from the Master of the vessel or its owners. The IMB PRC’s prompt forwarding of reports and liaison with response agencies, its broadcasts to shipping via Inmarsat Safety Net Services and email alerts to CSOs, all provided free of charge, has helped the response against piracy and armed robbery and the security of seafarers, globally.

IMB continues to urge shipmasters and owners and other maritime interests to report all actual, attempted and suspected piracy and armed robbery incidents to the IMB PRC. This first step in the response chain is vital to ensuring that adequate resources are allocated by authorities to tackle this crime. As an independent, non-commercial, and apolitical organization, IMB provides transparent statistics, which acts as a catalyst to achieve this goal.
 
The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre remains at the service of the shipping industry and wishes all seafarers blue skies, following seas and safe and secure transits.

IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC)         
Tel: +60 3 2078 5763/ +60 3 2031 0287 / +60 3 2031 3106
24 Hrs ANTI PIRACY HELPLINE: +60 3 2031 0014 (Manned 24 Hrs everyday)
Fax: +60 3 2078 5769
General E-mail: imbkl@icc-ccs.org  / piracy@icc-ccs.org
ISO 27001:2013 certified

The full report can be found in the attachment on the right, as well as BMP5.

For more information, please contact your usual club contact or the authors of this article.​