The International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB) is calling for sustained vigilance to protect seafarers amid increasing violence despite an overall drop in the number of incidents reported in IMB’s mid-year report for 2024.
Sixty incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded in the first half of 2024, a decrease from 65 incidents for the same period in 2023.
Of the 60 incidents reported, 46 vessels were boarded, eight reported attempted attacks, four were hijacked and two were fired upon. Perpetrators successfully boarded 85% of targeted vessels.
Violence towards crew continues, with 85 taken hostage compared to 36 in the same period last year, 11 kidnapped and two threatened. Guns and knives were reported in 34 of the 59 incidents, a worrying increase from the same period last year.
IMB Director Michael Howlett said: “While the decline in reported incidents is welcome, sustained and continued regional maritime cooperation remains essential to safeguard seafarers, global shipping and trade. There is no room for complacency.”
Source: ICC Commercial Crime Services