LONDON: Piracy incidents off the Nigerian coastline in the first four months of this year are 21% higher than previous peak levels and pose a real threat to port operations, according to the risk consultancy specialist, Control Risks’ Maritime Risk Analysis division. Piracy and armed robbery at sea from January to April 2016 was one of the biggest threats to maritime operators in the region with the frequency of incidents 119% higher than the same period in 2015. The previous peak was in 2008.
Speaking to Port Strategy, Tim Hart, operations manager at Control Risks, highlighted the threats faced by ports in the region: “Most of the increase seen in 2016 has involved vessels operating offshore, away from major ports. However, there have been concentrations in attacks on tanker-types in the vicinity of offshore terminals.”
“Meanwhile, although offshore armed attacks typically occur at a distance from major ports, such attacks can have a knock-on effect on port operations. As pirate groups increase their activity further offshore, they are more likely to target vessels transiting regional shipping lanes en route to ports. Attacks can often result in delays to, and sometimes cancellations of port calls.
“More broadly, ports can also be affected when shipping companies re-route vessels away from or even avoid potential risk areas due to security concerns. While the focus is understandably on the most high-profile incidents offshore, it is also important to recognise that vessels remain vulnerable to port and anchorage crime during port calls. Although a global issue, theft and robbery while in port and anchored offshore is a persistent yet under-reported problem in the Gulf of Guinea,” he added. Data from Control Risks has identified offshore Bayelsa state as the top location for piracy incidents in Nigeria with 56% of total incidents being recorded here between January and April 2016.
While theft and robbery in ports and at anchorages in Nigeria has seen a significant decrease so far this year, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of kidnaps taking place during piracy attacks offshore. Control Risks data shows an average of three kidnaps occurring per month in the first four months of 2016 compared to one kidnap per month in the same period in 2015.
Sebastian Villyn, consultant in maritime risk analysis at Control Risks, commented: “The number of piracy incidents we’ve recorded occurring off the Nigerian coast in the first four months of this year is striking.” “While tankers and oilfield support vessels are prime targets, all vessels are potentially at risk of attack and should be prepared when operating in this region,” he added.
