Map of Modern Day Piracy In The 21st Century

Map created by HeliosMapsThe map titled “Piracy in the 21st Century” highlights the global distribution of piracy attack risks at sea, using color coding to indicate levels of risk from very low to very high.

It specifically identifies three major piracy hotspots:

1. Gulf of Guinea:
   • Percentage of Attacks: 43%
   • Location: This area is along the western coast of Africa, primarily affecting countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon.
   • Significance: The Gulf of Guinea is notorious for piracy and armed robbery against ships, often involving kidnapping for ransom and cargo theft. The region’s oil production and shipping lanes make it a prime target for pirates.
2. Horn of Africa:
   • Percentage of Attacks: 30%
   • Location: This region encompasses the eastern coast of Africa, including countries like Somalia and Djibouti.
   • Significance: The Horn of Africa, particularly the waters off the coast of Somalia, has been a hotspot for piracy for many years. The strategic location near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, a key chokepoint for international maritime traffic, contributes to the high incidence of attacks. Somali pirates often hijack vessels for ransom.
3. Strait of Malacca:
   • Percentage of Attacks: 19%
   • Location: This narrow stretch of water between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
   • Significance: The Strait of Malacca is one of the busiest maritime trade routes in the world, making it a lucrative target for pirates. Attacks in this region often involve theft of cargo and hijacking of vessels.

Risk Levels:

• The map uses color coding to indicate risk levels:
  • Very Low: Green
  • Low: Light Green
  • Medium: Yellow
  • High: Orange
  • Very High: Red

The identified hotspots are marked in red, indicating a very high risk of piracy. These areas are crucial for international trade, and the high risk of piracy has significant implications for global shipping and security.

The source of the data is the International Maritime Bureau, an organization that tracks and reports on piracy incidents worldwide.

What are current warnings about Piracy?

Summary of Piracy Warnings for South East Asia and Indian Subcontinent:

Bangladesh:

• Increased incidents at Chattogram anchorage.
• Robbers target vessels at anchor.
• Significant reduction in incidents due to local authorities’ efforts.

Indonesia:

• High-risk areas include Belawan, Dumai, and surrounding waters.
• Incidents usually occur at night; pirates often armed.
• Cooperation between Indonesian Marine Police and IMB has reduced incidents.
• Specific safe anchorage areas recommended by Indonesian authorities.

Malaysia:

• Vigilance needed in Bandar Penawar, Johor, and Eastern Sabah.
• Past incidents involved kidnappings by ASG militants, now reduced.

Philippines:

• Risky waters off Sibutu, Tawi Tawi, Sulu Sea, and Celebes Sea.
• Past crew kidnappings; currently stable but remain cautious.

Singapore Straits:

• Rising incidents, especially at night.
• Maintain strict watch and report suspicious activities.

For detailed and current information, visit the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre.

Summary of Piracy Warnings for West Africa:

General Recommendations:

• Follow BMP WA guidelines.
• Maintain vigilant lookout; incidents reported up to 300nm from the coast.

Specific Areas:

• Angola (Luanda): Robberies reported, maintain vigilance.
• Benin (Cotonou): No recent incidents, but past attacks involved kidnappings and cargo theft.
• Cameroon (Douala): Past incidents of violent attacks and kidnappings.
• Equatorial Guinea: Recent kidnapping off Bioko Island.
• Gabon: Incidents stopped, but past kidnappings noted.
• Ghana (Takoradi): Incidents at anchorages, maintain strict watches.
• Nigeria: High risk, frequent armed attacks and kidnappings.
• Togo (Lome): Incidents stopped, but past attacks included kidnappings and cargo theft.

Summary of Piracy Warnings for East Africa / GOA / Red Sea:

• Red Sea / Gulf of Aden / Somalia / Arabian Sea / Indian Ocean: Four recent piracy attacks, including the first successful hijacking since 2017. Somali pirates operate up to 1000nm offshore.
• Security Measures: Maintain strict anti-piracy watch, follow BMP recommendations, and report suspicious activities.
• Regional Risks: High risk in southern Red Sea, Bab El Mandeb, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and coastal areas off Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
• Fishing Vessel Confusion: Be cautious of fishermen protecting nets.

Summary of Piracy Warnings for South America:

• Brazil (Macapa): Incidents have decreased, but waters remain risky. Maintain vigilance.
• Colombia (Cartagena): Reduced incidents; past reports at anchorages and river passages.
• Ecuador (Guayaquil): Incidents have ceased; previously high-risk areas.
• Peru (Callao): High risk persists; maintain vigilant watch.
• Venezuela: No recent incidents, but remain cautious, especially at anchor.

Eastern Europe/Ukraine

Not piracy related: Ukraine and Russia conflict: stay clear of Ukrainian coast. Mines reported in the Black Sea.

Has piracy been increasing in recent years?

Piracy has seen a resurgence in recent years, reversing some of the downward trends observed earlier. The first nine months of 2023 saw a 10% increase in piracy incidents globally compared to the same period in 2022, with 99 reported attacks up from 90.

This uptick continued into 2024, with various regions experiencing significant piracy activities.

Key Regions and Trends:

1. Gulf of Guinea:
   • The Gulf of Guinea remains a major hotspot for piracy, with a notable rise in incidents. Kidnappings for ransom and violent attacks have been particularly concerning. Reports indicate that 21 incidents occurred in this region in the first nine months of 2023, up from 14 in the previous year.
2. Southeast Asia:
   • Southeast Asia continues to be a primary area for piracy attacks. In 2023, the region accounted for over half of the global incidents, with a significant number occurring in the Singapore Strait. These incidents often involve petty theft, but there have also been instances of crew being taken hostage.
3. Somalia and the Indian Ocean:
   • There has been a resurgence of Somali piracy, with the first successful hijacking since 2017 occurring in December 2023. Early 2024 saw continued piracy activity, including hijackings and violent attacks on vessels far off the Somali coast.
4. South America:
   • Incidents in South America, particularly in the Callao Anchorage in Peru, have also seen an increase. Several crew members have been taken hostage during these incidents.

Impact and Response: The increase in piracy has significant implications for international shipping and trade. It has led to higher security measures, increased insurance costs, and potential disruptions to global supply chains. The maritime community emphasizes the need for continued vigilance, adherence to best management practices (BMP), and international cooperation to combat piracy effectively.

Efforts by regional authorities and international naval forces have been crucial in mitigating some of the threats. For instance, coordinated actions by the Indian Navy and the Seychelles Coast Guard have successfully intercepted hijacked vessels and apprehended pirates in recent operations.

For a detailed analysis and up-to-date information, refer to reports from the International Maritime Bureau and other maritime security organizations​ (MarEx Marine News)​ (Ship Universe (West of England P&I Club ) (SAFETY4SEA).

Who punishes pirates?

The punishment of pirates typically falls under the jurisdiction of multiple entities, depending on where the piracy occurs and which countries have jurisdiction over the captured pirates.

Here are the key branches and mechanisms involved in punishing pirates:

1. National Jurisdictions:
   • Coastal States: Countries whose coastal waters are affected by piracy often take the lead in prosecuting pirates. For example, Nigeria and Somalia have prosecuted pirates who were captured in their territorial waters.
   • Flag States: The country under whose flag the attacked vessel is registered can also have jurisdiction to prosecute pirates. For instance, if a pirate attack occurs on a vessel registered in the United States, the U.S. has jurisdiction to prosecute the pirates.
2. International Jurisdictions:
   • Universal Jurisdiction: Piracy is considered a crime of universal jurisdiction, meaning any state can prosecute pirates regardless of where the crime was committed. This principle allows for broader international cooperation in apprehending and prosecuting pirates.
3. International Organizations and Treaties:
   • United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): This treaty provides a legal framework for combating piracy, outlining the rights and responsibilities of nations in addressing piracy on the high seas.
   • International Maritime Organization (IMO): The IMO sets international standards and guidelines for maritime security and safety, including measures to combat piracy.
4. Regional and International Courts:
   • International Criminal Court (ICC): While the ICC does not typically handle piracy cases, it could theoretically prosecute pirates if the acts are connected to larger crimes such as war crimes or crimes against humanity.
   • Regional Courts: Regional arrangements, such as those established by the Djibouti Code of Conduct, can facilitate regional cooperation in prosecuting pirates.
5. Military and Naval Forces:
   • Naval Patrols and Task Forces: Multinational naval task forces, such as the Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151), play a significant role in deterring piracy and capturing pirates. These captured pirates are then handed over to appropriate legal authorities for prosecution.

Prosecutions often involve a combination of the above jurisdictions and entities working together to bring pirates to justice. For example, pirates captured by international naval forces off the coast of Somalia might be prosecuted in Kenya or Seychelles, which have established agreements to try piracy cases on behalf of the international community​.

How do pirates make money and who funds them?

Pirates make money through a variety of illegal activities, primarily targeting maritime vessels. Here’s how they typically generate revenue and who might be involved in funding their operations:

Methods of Making Money:

1. Ransom for Hostages:
   • Kidnapping Crew: Pirates often hijack ships and take crew members hostage, demanding large ransoms from shipping companies or governments. This is particularly common in the Gulf of Guinea and off the coast of Somalia.
   • Negotiations and Payments: Ransoms can range from thousands to millions of dollars, and negotiations can be prolonged, involving intermediaries and negotiations to secure the release of hostages.
2. Theft of Cargo:
   • Hijacking and Looting: Pirates board ships to steal valuable cargo such as oil, gas, and other high-value goods. This cargo is then sold on the black market.
   • Selling Stolen Goods: The stolen cargo is often sold through established networks involving corrupt officials and black market traders.
3. Maritime Robbery:
   • Smaller Scale Thefts: Pirates sometimes conduct smaller-scale thefts where they steal ship stores, personal belongings of crew members, or other movable property.
4. Protection Rackets:
   • Extortion: In some regions, pirates operate protection rackets, demanding money from fishermen and local maritime operators in exchange for allowing them to operate safely.

Sources of Funding and Support:

1. Local and Regional Networks:
   • Organized Crime: Pirates often operate as part of larger criminal networks that provide funding, logistics, and market access for stolen goods.
   • Corrupt Officials: In some cases, pirates receive protection and support from corrupt local officials who share in the profits.
2. Ransoms:
   • Direct Payments: The most direct source of funding for pirates is the ransom paid by shipping companies or insurance firms. These funds are often used to further finance pirate operations, purchase weapons, and maintain their networks.
3. International Connections:
   • Arms Dealers and Brokers: Pirates often rely on international arms dealers for weapons and equipment. These dealers may provide financing in exchange for a cut of the profits from piracy.
   • Diaspora Communities: In some cases, pirates may receive financial support from diaspora communities who sympathize with their cause or are coerced into providing funds.
4. Illegal Trade:
   • Black Market: Pirates often engage in the black market trade of stolen goods, which provides a steady stream of revenue. This trade can be facilitated by international criminal networks that specialize in smuggling and illicit trade.

Case Studies:

• Somali Pirates: Somali pirates have been notorious for hijacking large vessels and demanding multi-million dollar ransoms. Their operations are often funded by wealthy individuals and clans who invest in piracy in exchange for a share of the profits. The proceeds from ransoms are reinvested into more sophisticated piracy operations and community support.
• West African Pirates: In the Gulf of Guinea, piracy is often linked to political instability and organized crime. Pirates in this region frequently hijack oil tankers, steal the cargo, and sell it on the black market. These operations are sometimes backed by local political and business elites who benefit from the illegal trade.

Also see: Pirate Attack Risk During The Golden Age of Piracy

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