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

2th October, 201326th May 2016 Nicolas Gros Verheyde

(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 was in June in the Somali basin. As for the number of pirated ships (from 46 and 47 in 2009 and 2010), it fell by half in 2011, reduced to 5 in 2012 and is still 0 in 2013. 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 (International Maritime Bureau), which mentions 10 incidents in 2013 including 2 piracy, as well as 57 hostages as of August 31. This difference is also explained by the fact that the BMI takes into account pirated boats or dhows but for only a few hours. A fishing boat was boarded by pirates on March 28, off the coast of Raas Caseyr in Somalia. The pirates had taken the fishing boat with 20 members on board, the ship was rescued the same day, its crew freed and taken to safe port. Similarly, an Indian dhow with 14 crew members was indeed taken by pirates at the beginning of June, off the coast of 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 see that there is an increase in events ". According to Atalanta's figures, which do not take into account all dhows and small ships, only one vessel remains in the hands of 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

Note that on the other side of the continent, in West Africa, piracy and banditry (territorial waters) has experienced an upsurge. They are mainly located in Nigeria, where the BMI records 28 incidents including two captures (30 incidents in total in the Gulf of Guinea). These mainly involve ships carrying oil which are held to ransom for their cargo and the goods carried on board. The staff were then released fairly quickly. This piracy is, however, quite violent. The pirates did not hesitate to quickly attack the hostages.