THE ICC International Maritime Bureau has recorded its lowest level of piracy and armed robbery incidents since 1993.

Twenty-seven incidents were reported in the first quarter of 2023, down from 37 incidents for the same period in 2022.

Despite the decline, IMB is calling for continued vigilance and co-ordinated regional and international naval response to prevent piracy.

Of the 27 incidents, perpetrators boarded the victims’ vessels in 24 cases, two vessels reported attempted incidents and one vessel was hijacked, according to the first-quarter report.

IMB said despite the drop in numbers, the threat of violence remains – six crew were kidnapped, two were taken hostage, two were threatened and one was assaulted.

GoG and the Monjasa Reformer incident

In the Gulf of Guinea piracy and armed robbery activity is decreasing with five incidents reported in the first quarter of this year compared with eight in 2022 and 16 in 2021.

The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre said although there have been improvements, coastal response agencies and international navies need to maintain efforts in the region.

On 25 March, product tanker Monjasa Reformer was hijacked 140 nautical miles southwest of Pointe Noire, Republic of the Congo.

IMB said the vessel effectively lost all communications for nearly five days and, when located by a French naval asset, six crew were reported as kidnapped.

IMB director Michael Howlett said the scenario highlights the need for vigilance and swift naval responses.

“We emphasise the need for continued, robust and co-ordinated regional and international naval presence to act as a deterrent to prevent and respond to piracy – especially considering nearly 85% of international trade is transported via the sea and it is the seafarers who need to be safeguarded,” he said.

International Maritime Organization secretary-general Kitack Lim also expressed “deep concern” over the kidnappings and reports of the ongoing incident.

“IMO recognises the progress that has been made since 2021 in the collective efforts to combat the threat of piracy and the resulting reduction in the number of pirate attacks,” Mr Lim said.

“IMO urges continued sustainable support to the important work of the regional navies and entities within the Yaoundé Architecture to protect seafarers and to the operational piracy response from the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum (SHADE) and the G7++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea, in keeping with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2634 on piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

“I would like to appreciate the regional and international efforts to respond to this disturbing incident.

“I wish to reiterate that the ongoing threat must be addressed cohesively, involving all relevant actors and including regional entities.”

Regional updates

IMB said almost 30% of incidents in the first quarter of 2023 occurred in the Singapore Straits.

The bureau recorded eight cases in the area, a decrease from the 15 incidents reported in the same period last year.

While incidents in this region tend to be cases of petty theft, the threat of violence remains a “worrisome” possibility, with knives sighted and reported in two of the incidents.

 And around 33% of global piracy and armed robbery incidents occurred in South America.

IMB said Callao anchorage in Peru remains an area of particular concern.

Five reported incidents occurred there between January and March, a number which has remained steady in recent years.

Crew however continue to be at risk with two crew taken hostage and one each assaulted and threatened.