The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reports an overall drop in the number of incidents reported in IMB’s mid-year report for 2024. However, the Maritime Bureau is calling for sustained vigilance to protect seafarers amid increasing violence.

In the first half of 2024 sixty incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded, a decrease from 65 incidents for the same period in 2023, according to IMB’s 2024 (January to June) report.

The IMB revealed that of the 60 incidents reported, 46 vessels were boarded, eight reported attempted attacks, four were hijacked and two were fired upon. Perpetrators successfully boarded 85% of targeted vessels.

Meanwhile, violence towards crew continues, with 85 taken hostage compared to 36 in the same period last year, 11 kidnapped and two threatened. Guns and knives were reported in 34 of the 59 incidents, a worrying increase from the same period last year.

SOMALI WATERS

Despite the decline in global reported incidents Somali piracy still poses a threat, with eight reported incidents in the first half of 2024, including three hijackings.

Recent incidents demonstrate the continued capability and capacity of the Somali pirates to target vessels up to 1,000 nautical miles off the Somali coast.

GULF OF GUINEA

Incidents have dropped from 14 to 10 in the Gulf of Guinea, but threats to crew safety and wellbeing continue to be a cause of concern.

The region accounts for the 11-crew kidnapped globally in the first half of 2024 in two separate incidents and 21 of the crew taken hostage in one incident.

IMB stresses the need for a continued and robust regional and international naval presence to respond to these incidents and safeguard life at sea.

SINGAPORE STRAITS

Singapore Straits saw a noticeable decrease of reported incidents from 13 in the first half of 2024 compared to 20 the same period last year. However, the targeting and boarding of large vessels transiting through these waters remains worrying, IMB highlights.

While considered low level opportunistic crimes, 10 crew were taken hostage in six separate incidents with guns and knives reported in 11 incidents.

IMB’s report highlights that despite a decline in reported incidents, some remain unreported.

INDONESIAN ARCHIPELAGO AND BANGLADESH

IMB has recorded 12 incidents in the Indonesian archipelago, the highest since the first half of 2021 when 15 incidents were reported.

Two crew were reported as taken hostage and one threatened during these incidents. Knives were reported in six incidents and guns in one incident. This year, six incidents occurred at Dumai anchorage compared to one in the first half of 2023.

Low-level incidents have increased in Bangladesh, up from one in the first six months of 2023 to ten in 2024.

“This is the highest reported number of incidents in the first half of a year since 2015. All vessels were at anchorage with eight incidents reported at Chattogram,” IMB added.