News
There were just 16 piracy and armed robbery incidents recorded worldwide in the first quarter (January-March) of this year, a notable year-on-year improvement from 45 to amount to the lowest first-quarter since 1991, according to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)’s International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC).
Fourteen vessels were boarded, accounting for 94% of the total, one highjacked, and one under attempted attack. As for assaults to crewmembers, two were taken hostage, and one injured. Weapons were reports in many of the incidents, with knives identified in seven and guns in two.
Looking at the 16 cases more specifically, there were eight bulk carriers, three containerships, one tanker, and four others involved, with 10 assaulted while they were steaming and three anchored.
The Singapore Straits continued to account for the largest part the total number, with eight incidents recorded. It remained the highest concentration worldwide but marked a substantial year-on-year drop from 31.
