Pirate attacks involving kidnapping up 119pc off Nigeria from January-April
PIRATE attacks off Nigeria increased 119 per cent in the first four months of the year compared to the same period a year earlier.
The data compiled by Control Risks also showed that offshore Bayelsa state was the top area for piracy incidents in Nigeria with 56 per cent of the total reported originating in this area.
While theft and robbery in Nigerian ports and at anchorages significantly decreased during the reporting period, there was a corresponding increase in the number of kidnappings which took place during piracy attacks offshore.
Control Risks' maritime risk analysis division described piracy and armed robbery at sea from January to April, as being one of the biggest threats to ships operating in the region.
For example, the data showed an average of three kidnappings per month between January and April, compared to one kidnapping per month over the same period in 2015.
The report also showed that more than half of recorded incidents involved oilfield and tankers, and one-quarter of incidents occurred along internal waterways, reported London's Tanker Operator.
Consultant of Maritime Risk Analysis at Control Risks, Sebastian Villyn, commented: "This is a significant increase in activity since the peak of 2008. One of the drivers behind this growth is a change in tactics by criminal groups, focusing on what is perceived as more financially rewarding activity such as kidnap for ransom, instead of offshore robbery and low level port and anchorage crime.
"Equally, while tankers and oilfield support vessels are prime targets, all vessels are potentially at risk of attack and should be prepared when operating in this region.
"Maritime operators can help to reduce the risks to their crew through a number of measures. These include having access to up to date maritime intelligence on potential regional risks; security training for crew members on how to respond should they be faced with a kidnap for ransom situation; and maritime security design expert support to help protect assets both onshore and offshore," he said.
In response to the increase in piracy incidents this year, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has launched the naval operation 'Tsare Teku" to patrol the area in a bid to reduce crime.
PIRATE attacks off Nigeria increased 119 per cent in the first four months of the year compared to the same period a year earlier.
The data compiled by Control Risks also showed that offshore Bayelsa state was the top area for piracy incidents in Nigeria with 56 per cent of the total reported originating in this area.
While theft and robbery in Nigerian ports and at anchorages significantly decreased during the reporting period, there was a corresponding increase in the number of kidnappings which took place during piracy attacks offshore.
Control Risks' maritime risk analysis division described piracy and armed robbery at sea from January to April, as being one of the biggest threats to ships operating in the region.
For example, the data showed an average of three kidnappings per month between January and April, compared to one kidnapping per month over the same period in 2015.
The report also showed that more than half of recorded incidents involved oilfield and tankers, and one-quarter of incidents occurred along internal waterways, reported London's Tanker Operator.
Consultant of Maritime Risk Analysis at Control Risks, Sebastian Villyn, commented: "This is a significant increase in activity since the peak of 2008. One of the drivers behind this growth is a change in tactics by criminal groups, focusing on what is perceived as more financially rewarding activity such as kidnap for ransom, instead of offshore robbery and low level port and anchorage crime.
"Equally, while tankers and oilfield support vessels are prime targets, all vessels are potentially at risk of attack and should be prepared when operating in this region.
"Maritime operators can help to reduce the risks to their crew through a number of measures. These include having access to up to date maritime intelligence on potential regional risks; security training for crew members on how to respond should they be faced with a kidnap for ransom situation; and maritime security design expert support to help protect assets both onshore and offshore," he said.
In response to the increase in piracy incidents this year, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has launched the naval operation 'Tsare Teku" to patrol the area in a bid to reduce crime.
