Independent journal on economy and transport policy
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Pirate attacks on ships continue to grow
There were 51 incidents in the second quarter of this year
July 16, 2020
The International Maritime Bureau's (IMB) International Chamber of Commerce (ICS) has announced that in the first half of 2020 there were a total of 98 attacks, up by 26% on the first half of last year, 36 attacks on tankers (36 in the first six months of the year) 21 against the back -and 20, 17 against the contermarkers (9) and 24 against other ships (13). Boarded ships are 81 (57 in the first half of 2019), those subject to a attempted assault 10 (9), and those subjected to gunshots 6 (9), while a ship was seized (3). have been 23 seafarers (38) and 54 others were abducted (37). Six seafarers were injured (2) and 10 were threatened or assaulted (4).
The IMB highlighted that the growing threat of piracy adds to the difficulties already faced by hundreds of thousands of seafarers working beyond their periods contractual arrangements due to restrictions on changing crews and international travel caused by the Covid-19 pandemic: "the violence against the crews - pointed out the director IMB Michael Howlett - is a growing risk in a workforce that's already under pressure Immense. In the Gulf of Guinea, attackers armed with knives and Guns now target crews on every type of ship. Everyone, Howlett warned, is vulnerable." The IMB emphasised the particular danger of the area of the Gulf of Guinea off West Africa, where it occurs more than 90% of the total abduction of seafarers. "We have to - noted Howelett - change the relationship between risk and profit for pirates operating in the Gulf of Guinea. Without a adequate and proportionate deterrent - he found - pirates and criminals will become more ruthless and more increasing the risk to seafarers.'
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