0 boat hacked off Somalia in 2013. Hope it lasts!

(BRUSSELS2) Piracy remains a threat, but not as high as before. The figures communicated on the side of the HQ of the European anti-piracy operation Atalanta are clear. The number of attacks fell sharply in 2012 and even more so in 2013.

While there were nearly 200 attacks in previous years (163 in 2009, 174 in 2010, 176 in 2011), there were only 34 in 2012 and 4 in 2013! The number of "suspicious events" also fell from 166 in 2011 to 73 in 2012 and 14 in 2013. The last suspicious event dates back to June in the Somali basin. ), it fell by half in 46, was reduced to 47 in 2009 and was still 2010 in 2011. As long as it lasts (lasts as Bonaparte's mother said)...

Differences in statistical approach

The results are significantly different at the International Maritime Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce, which mentions 10 incidents in 2013 including 2 hacks, as well as 57 hostages as of August 31. This difference can also be explained by the fact that the BMI takes pirated boats or dhows into account, but only for a few hours. Thus a fishing boat had been boarded by pirates on March 28, off Raas Caseyr in Somalia. The pirates had taken the fishing boat with 20 members on board, the ship had been rescued the same day, its crew freed and taken to port. Similarly, an Indian dhow with 14 crew members had indeed been taken by pirates, at the beginning of June, off Puntland but quickly "evacuated" by its occupants under pressure from the military (read: Indians escape the pirates. The Swedish Navy in intervention).

Beware of too much optimism

For Rear Admiral Bob Tarrant, who heads the European operation, however, we must always be careful not to let our guard down. " As soon as we relax a little attention he explained to defense ministers recently, we note that there is an upsurge in events ". According to Atalanta's figures, which do not take into account all the dhows and small ships, only one ship remains in the hands of the Somali pirates - the FV Naham 3 — and 54 hostages — 28 of FV Naham 3, 4 of VF Prantalay 12, 7 from Asphalt Venture and 15 of Mv Albedo.

Piracy moves west

It should be noted that on the other side of the continent, in West Africa, piracy and banditry (territorial waters) have experienced a resurgence. They are mainly located in Nigeria, where the BMI lists 28 incidents including two captures (30 incidents in total in the Gulf of Guinea). These are mainly oil-carrying ships that are ransomed for their cargo and goods that carry on board. The personnel were then released fairly quickly. This piracy is however quite violent. The pirates do not hesitate to quickly attack the hostages.

Read also:

• The FV Naham 3, spotted without hostages
• Sailors from the Albedo moved to another ship in the hands of pirates
• The pirate business model according to Bob Tarrant (Atalanta)

Download a statistical table here