Shipowners must stay cautious despite fall in pirate attacks - analyst

08 May 2012 15:57  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS)--Shipowners should continue to demonstrate caution when transiting the east African coast, despite the number of pirate attacks in the region declining during April, an analyst with risk mitigation firm AKE Group said on Tuesday.

A monthly report released by Dubai-based logistics firm GAC Protective Solutions and UK-headquartered AKE Group, showed the total number of pirate attacks in the region decreased to 16 in April, down from March’s total of 23.

Of the 16 attacks that took place, two vessels were boarded and one was hijacked, the report said.

“Although the monthly success rate has declined after four successive months of increases, the boarding of a Chinese cargo ship in the northern Gulf of Oman should serve as a reminder that attacks are spreading in the region,” said Rory Lamrock, intelligence analyst for AKE.

The Chinese-owned cargo ship Xiang Hua Man was boarded around 15 nautical miles off the Iranian coast on 6 April, and was subsequently rescued by Iranian naval forces.

The report forecasts the risk of piracy in the near term will be heightened in the southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea as a result, following an increase in motherships hijacked in the area.

The report also highlights the vulnerability of vessels in west African waters, owing to more serious attacks in the region seen during April.

“Vessels travelling will find it difficult to acquire the necessary protection required, as there are fewer armed guards in operation in the area,” added Lamrock.

A total of five incidents were reported in west Africa during April, the report said.

AKE group forecasts that vessels will remain vulnerable up to 120 nautical miles off the coast of Nigeria, Benin and Togo, with stationary vessels in anchorages off major ports vulnerable to all forms of attack.

The number of global pirate attacks reported throughout April remains stable from the previous month, at 33, the report said.

By: Neha Popat
+44 208 652 3214

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly