issue 16th-31st-July-17
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<strong>16th</strong> - <strong>31st</strong> <strong>July</strong> 20<strong>17</strong> THE MODERN WORLD SEAFARERS 22<br />
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) publishes its second<br />
quarter report on piracy and armed robbery for 20<strong>17</strong><br />
The IMB has published its report on piracy and armed robbery for the second quarter of 20<strong>17</strong>,<br />
covering the period from 1 January to 30 June 20<strong>17</strong>. The report highlights continuing decline in<br />
the number of incidents of maritime piracy.<br />
87 incidents have been reported in the first six months of 20<strong>17</strong>, with 63 ships boarded, eight<br />
attempted attacks, four ships hijacked and 12 ships fired upon. This represents a decrease from<br />
2016 when there were 97 reported incidents in the same period.<br />
In relation to crew, the IMB reports that 63 crew members were taken hostage, three injured, two<br />
killed and 41 kidnapped.<br />
The majority of the 87 reported incidents occurred in the following four countries:<br />
Southeast Asia/Indonesia<br />
The IMB reports a decline in the number of reported incidents in and around the Philippines with<br />
four cases for the second quarter compared to nine in the first. This reduction is attributed to the<br />
cooperation between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.<br />
Gulf of Guinea/Nigeria<br />
Nigeria accounts for 13 incidents down from 24 for the same period in 2016. Nigeria remains<br />
a kidnap hotspot with 31 crewmembers taken in two separate incidents. Violence against<br />
crewmembers continues with Nigeria accounting for half of the ships fired upon worldwide.<br />
The IMB urges ship masters to report all incidents so that the true level of piracy activity can be<br />
assessed.<br />
Gulf of Aden/Somalia<br />
Seven incidents have been reported off Somalia in 20<strong>17</strong>, including three ships being hijacked.<br />
This indicates that Somali pirates still have the capability and capacity to carry out attacks.<br />
The IMB urges ship masters to maintain high levels of vigilance when transiting the high-risk area<br />
and adhere to the Best Management Practices (version 4).