"Pirate Hijackings in the First Half of This Year All Occurred in West African Waters"

by Kwon Haeyoung

Published 04 Aug.2021 11:28(KST)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] In the first half of this year, a total of 50 seafarers worldwide were kidnapped by pirates, and all kidnapping incidents occurred in the waters off West Africa.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 4th the trends of global piracy incidents in the first half of the year, urging ships and shipping companies passing through pirate-infested waters such as West Africa to exercise special caution.

The total number of seafarers kidnapped by pirates worldwide in the first half was 50, similar to the same period last year (54). All incidents occurred in the waters off West Africa. Among them were four Korean seafarers who were kidnapped by pirates while fishing near the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa on June 1 and later released.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has designated particularly high-risk areas in the West African waters?Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Cameroon?as "high-risk waters" since July last year and has restricted passage. Although the passage restriction is currently advisory, starting February next year, it will legally prohibit Korean-flagged vessels or Korean seafarers from entering these waters.

Excluding seafarer kidnappings, a total of 68 piracy attacks, including ship hijackings and pirate chases and robberies, were recorded in the first half of the year. This represents a 30.6% decrease compared to the same period last year (98 incidents). By major regions, 28 incidents occurred in Asian waters, 22 in West African waters, and 16 in American waters. Most piracy incidents in Asian waters were investigated as simple robbery cases, and pirate attacks in the Singapore Strait mainly occurred during nighttime navigation.

Myung Nohheon, Director of the Maritime Safety Bureau at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "Although piracy incidents decreased in the first half of this year, the threat of piracy still persists," adding, "Especially in West African waters, kidnapping incidents targeting ransom for seafarers continue to occur, so shipping companies and seafarers need to exercise special caution and thorough preparation."