Pirate Incidents Increase by 11% Through Q3 This Year... 85 Crew Members Kidnapped

Global Piracy Incidents Status for Q3 2020 (January to September).

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Piracy incidents have increased by 11% up to the third quarter of this year.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced the global piracy incident trends for 2020 up to the third quarter (January to September).

According to the report, the number of piracy incidents increased by about 11% to 132 cases compared to the same period last year (119 cases). A total of 85 crew members (70 in the same period last year) were kidnapped.

In the West African waters, 44 piracy incidents occurred, a 12% decrease from the same period last year (50 cases). However, about 94% (80 people) of the world's crew kidnappings occurred in this area, and all two ship hijacking cases also took place in the same waters, indicating that most serious crimes still happen in this region.

An official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said, "In particular, there have been consecutive incidents (3 cases, 8 people) of our nationals being kidnapped while fishing on local fishing boats," adding, "Ships operating or passing through this area must strictly comply with the piracy damage prevention guidelines set by the Ministry, such as restrictions on entering high-risk waters."

In the Somali waters, thanks to the efforts of the Cheonghae Unit and the UN Combined Naval Forces, no pirate attacks occurred this year following last year. However, there were three cases of ships at anchor near Mozambique, south of Somalia, being attacked by maritime robbers.

In Asian waters, piracy incidents surged by 44.2% to 62 cases compared to the same period last year (43 cases), due to an increase in piracy incidents in the Singapore Strait (from 1 to 15 cases) and the continuous occurrence of livelihood-related maritime robberies, resulting in 5 crew kidnappings (in Malaysia).

Ko Jun-sung, Director of Maritime Safety Management at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "As piracy threats continue worldwide, our shipping companies and crew members must thoroughly implement the piracy prevention guidelines for each high-risk area prepared by the government," and added, "The government will also strengthen international cooperation systems to eradicate piracy and continuously collaborate with related agencies, organizations, and shipping companies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.