The number is similar to previous years. But violence against crews is increasing. This is reported by the International Maritime Bureau.
In the first half of the year, there were 60 pirate attacks and attempted attacks on the world’s oceans. This was announced by the London-based International Maritime Bureau (IMB). The number of incidents is therefore at a similar level to previous years: in the comparable period in 2023 there were 65 incidents, in 2022 there were 58 and in 2021 there were 68. The IMB is an organization of the International Chamber of Commerce.
However, violence against crew members has increased significantly: In the first half of the year, 85 people were taken hostage. In the previous comparable period, the number was 36.
“The danger of piracy on the world’s oceans remains high, and the threat to the life and limb of crews has increased significantly,” said Oliver Wieck, the German Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce. It is important for Germany as an export nation and for world trade as a whole to keep international sea routes open and safe.
According to the information, there were 13 attacks and attempted attacks in the Singapore Strait – the most. Twelve incidents occurred in Indonesia, ten in Bangladesh and seven in Somalia. According to the IMB, pirates were able to board or hijack ships in 84 percent of cases.
Source: Stern
