New piracy hot spots on the horizon
In 2021, pirate attacks and armed robberies fell to their lowest level since 1994, according to the annual report on piracy of the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) published on 13 January 2022. IMB attributes this decrease "to the measures adopted by the authorities" but has asked to maintain coordination and vigilance for the long-term protection of seafarers.
According its recent data, 2021 saw a total of 132 piracy and armed robbery incidents against merchant ships recorded worldwide. The waters of the Gulf of Guinea continue to be the centre of global piracy, though incidents fell from 81 in 2020 to 34 in 2021 and kidnappings fell by 57% due to the increased presence of international warships, including those of the Spanish and Danish navies.
In the Singapore Strait, a total of 35 incidents were recorded in 2021, which represents an increase of 50% compared to 2020 and the highest figure since 1992.
In the ports of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico and Haiti, a total of 36 incidents were recorded in 2021, a figure that also represents a significant increase compared to 30 in 2020. A total of 31 ships were boarded, most of them at anchor, two other ships were shot at and three attempts were unsuccessful. Incidents at the Peruvian anchorage of El Callao went from eight in 2020 to 18 in 2021. (sh)