subject: Sea Freight News: Piracy at 6 Year High [print this page] Recent statistics released by the ICC International Maritime Bureaus Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) have revealed that piracy on Sea Freight ships was at a six year high in 2009. There were a total of 406 incidents of piracy recorded in 2009; this is by far the highest total since 2003 which is the last time more than 400 incidents were reported. A detailed breakdown of all the international sea freight ships worldwide in 2009, showed that 153 ships were boarded by pirates, 49 ships were hijacked, 84 attempted attacks and 120 vessels fired upon. Sixty eight crew were injured in the various incidents and eight crew killed. Shipping agents stated that Somali pirates were responsible for over 50% of the attacks on ships. Most of the Somali attacks on sea freight container ships seem to be rather opportunistic in nature and not terribly well planned. Of the 217 ships that were attacked by Somali pirates in 2009, 47 vessels were hijacked and 867 crew members were taken hostage during the course of the year. The good news for sea freight forwarding agencies is that despite the fact that the number of Somali attempted hijackings has doubled since 2008, the amount of successful hijackings is significantly less than in 2008. This is largely thanks to the increased patrol numbers and assistance provided by numerous international navies as well as sea freight companies using different routes and preventative measures to avoid what has become a very real threat. Another factor that is having a positive effect on the situation is the experience and new found awareness of ship crew and captains. Crews have learnt to be more watchful and wary of suspicious looking ships. 2010 could unfortunately be a bit more difficult for navies to monitor as it seems pirates are widening their areas of attack. While in the past, most of the attacks have taken places along the Gulf of Aden, it seems that they have now also moved onto the East coast of Somalia and are posing as fishing boats about 1000 nautical miles off Mogadishu. International Sea Freight ships have been warned to watch out for fishing boats this far off the coast as they shouldnt really be so far out. More worrying news is that attacks off the coast of Nigeria are on the rise, and whats more, Nigerians seem to be more willing to use extreme violence to ensure that they get what they want. One entire crew of a Sea Freight Container ship was reported killed after robbers tried to escape after looting a vessel. Sea Freight vessels are of course the most affected with pirates targeting bulk carriers, reefers, general cargo and all types of tankers. Companies that provide air and sea freight services say that theres not too much need for panic just yet. Air freight is going as well as ever and piracy only occurs on a fraction of the ships that actually travel through the Gulf of Aden and eastern coast of Somalia. The ongoing concern of piracy shouldnt have any affect on sea freight rates so those looking for sea freight services need not worry too much. Sailors are more wary than ever of the ongoing threat and preventative measures are being made wherever possible. Lets hope 2010 goes better than 2009.
