The hijacking of the Liberia-flagged vessel MV Lila Norfolk on 4 January off the Somali coast has raised concerns that pirates still pose a grave threat to commercial ships. “From recent events, it appears that Somali pirates retain the capability to launch attacks on ships,” International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Director Michael Howlett told Statecraft.
Piracy in the Horn of Africa region, which was at its peak during the early 2010s, was significantly curbed following years of concerted international maritime security efforts. However, according to a recent report by the IMB, there has been a global resurgence in piracy, including near the Somali coast.
In fact, the report recorded the first successful hijacking of a vessel last year by Somali pirates since 2017. It was referring to the raiding of the Malta-flagged commercial ship MV Ruen on 14 December.
“All vessels are advised to follow all recommendations in the latest version of the Best Management Practice (BMP) including registering and reporting while transiting these waters,” Howlett said.
BMP is a series of recommendations made by the Bureau to commercial vessels. IMB urges ships to obtain current threat information, conduct risk assessments, implement ship protection measures, report suspicious activity, and cooperate with shipping organisations and military forces to reduce the risk of piracy.
International Navies Should Heighten Vigilance
Given the increasing threats in the Indian Ocean, Howlett said that the “continued presence” of international navies in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and off the East Coast of Somalia is a “necessity.”
“An increase in their presence will certainly give seafarers greater confidence while transiting these waters,” he added.
Howlett noted that international navies have “contributed significantly” to the decline of Somali piracy. “Naval patrolling and interventions have been the most successful of deterrent actions in all cases of piracy and armed robbery globally,” he stressed.
Rise in Global Piracy
According to the IMB, there were 120 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery against ships in 2023, slightly higher than the 115 incidents recorded in 2022. Of the 120 incidents, 105 vessels were boarded, there were nine attempted attacks, four vessels were hijacked, and two were fired upon.
The IMB also urged caution over crew safety as 2023 saw a marked increase in threats to crew. Last year, 73 crew members were taken hostage, 14 kidnapped, 10 threatened, four injured, and one assaulted.
Incidents of piracy in 2023 were recorded in East and South East Asia, South America, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.
International Maritime Bureau
The IMB is a specialised department of the International Chamber of Commerce and focuses on the prevention of maritime, transport, and trade fraud. It also manages the ‘Piracy Reporting Centre,’ which seeks to raise awareness within the shipping industry regarding high-risk areas.