We have received the 2024 January - September piracy and armed robbery report from the International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) together with the summary below. For more details, please refer to the attached files.

Summary

A total of 79 incidents were reported to the IMB Piracy reporting Centre between January to September in 2024. These are broken down as 62 vessels boarded, nine attempted attacks, six vessels hijacked and two fired upon. Violence against and threats to crew continue with 111 crew taken hostage, 11 crew kidnapped and three threatened.

The majority of the successful incidents were reported while vessels were anchored or steaming.

Regions where incidents reported.

Somalia

A total of eight incidents reported in these waters. This includes the hijacking of two fishing vessels and one bulk carrier. The two vessels fired upon are attributed to this region. No new incidents of piracy were reported off Somalia in Q3 – this could however be due to the SE monsoon season. Masters are urged to follow all recommendations in the latest Best Management Practices.

Gulf of Guinea

The 12 incidents reported from the Gulf of Guinea remain the lowest reported to the IMB since 1996. Nine incidents fall under the definition of Armed Robbery and three as Piracy. Whilst the continued reduction in the number of reported incidents is welcome there remains a concern over the safety of crew with 11 crew kidnapped and 21 taken hostage. The IMB commends the efforts of the Regional Cooperation and Coastal Authorities and requests these to be sustained.

Asia

Indonesia: There appears to be steady rise in the number of reported incidents in the Indonesian Archipelago. Seventeen incidents reported, including two vessels hijacked with 27 crew taken hostage. Weapons were reported in 11 incidents.

Singapore Straits: Incidents in the Singapore Straits have reduced to 23 in the first nine months of 2024, compared to 33 in 2023. While this is reassuring, there remains a concern due to the large number of vessels over 70,000 DWT being boarded.