In its latest position released the CSC said about 95 percent of global incidences in 2020 occurred within the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). This assessment is, however, coming ahead of the International Maritime Bureau, IMB, report on piracy sponsored by the world’s number one maritime authority, the International Maritime Organisation, IMO.
CSC expressed regret and frustration over the effectiveness of the international community efforts to address the sustained piracy crisis in the GoG region saying that most of the global maritime kidnappings during that period occurred in the Gulf of Guinea, with 80 crewmembers kidnapped in 14 attacks off Nigeria, Benin, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Ghana waters.
The Chamber also said that the time frame for the implementation of strategies initiated by Nigeria and other governments in the region may take time adding that expected results in the fight against piracy may not be in sight soon. Back in June 2020 the CSC raised grave concerns about the worsening piracy situation in the GoG and called for action by governments in the region.
It stated: “Unfortunately, the CSC is sad to observe that we have now reached the end of 2020 and despite the efforts being made by the industry, the situation remains gravely dangerous for ships trading in the GoG.” According to the last report of the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre, IMB PRC, in the first nine months of 2020, there was a 40 per cent increase in the number of kidnappings reported in the Gulf of Guinea, compared with the same period in 2019.
The CSC said it welcomes the creation of the Nigerian government and Industry Joint Working Group, NIWG, that aims to facilitate coordination between government and the maritime industry and align efforts to deter and respond to incidents of piracy and armed robbery in Nigerian territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone, EEZ. ■