Sponsored By

Cyprus shipping concern over ‘gravely dangerous’ Gulf of Guinea situation

Six months after expressing grave concerns about the worsening piracy crisis in the Gulf of Guinea, the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) has again expressed “regret and frustration” over the “ineffectiveness of the international community to address the continuing piracy crisis”.

David Glass, Greece Correspondent

January 4, 2021

2 Min Read
Valentina Scuteri - Pixabay
Photo: Valentina Scuteri - Pixabay

In a statement the Nicosia-based CSC said, “unfortunately the CSC is sad to observe that we have now reached the end of 2020 and despite the efforts being made by the industry, the situation remains gravely dangerous for ships trading in the GoG [Gulf of Guinea]”.

According to the last report of the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC), in the first nine months of 2020, there is a 40% increase in the number of kidnappings reported in the Gulf of Guinea, compared with the same period in 2019.

Approximately 95% of the global kidnappings during that period occurred in the Gulf of Guinea, involving 80 crew members being kidnapped in 14 attacks off Nigeria, Benin, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Ghana.

The CSC welcomed the creation of the Nigerian Government and Industry Joint Working Group (NIWG) that aims to facilitate coordination between government and industry and align efforts to deter and respond to incidents of piracy and armed robbery in Nigerian territorial waters and EEZ.

The Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure project, otherwise known as the Deep Blue Project (DBP), the new Nigerian National Maritime Reporting Framework which will support merchant vessels in distress, and enhancement of the NIMASA’s Command, Control, Computer Communication and Information (C4i) Centre are policies in place that could be considered as steps towards the right direction of deterring the piracy incidents in the area.

Related:Seafarer kidnappings by pirates in Gulf of Guinea surge in H1

“While various efforts to improve maritime security in the region are ongoing, actual implementation will take time and consequently possible positive results are not expected in near future,” said the CSC.

The chamber continues: “As this persistent problem cannot be addressed within just a few months. In addition, the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is likely to lead to budget shortfalls which have already be observed in Nigeria as well as several other countries.

“It is therefore vital that governments, at the very highest level, become far more engaged in finding a long-term solution to the crisis. International community should remain committed in the efforts of taking concrete actions towards protecting the vessels and crew operating in the Gulf of Guinea.

“The shipping industry is also calling on local governments in the Gulf of Guinea to continue their efforts and even take more effective actions to eliminate this intolerable situation, with additional steps to be taken now, and not later. 

“We cannot continue to allow crews to be taken hostage, a situation which is simply unacceptable,” concludes the chamber.

 

About the Author

David Glass

Greece Correspondent

An Australian with over 40 years experience as a journalist and foreign correspondent specialising in political and economic issues, David has lived in Greece for over 30 years and was editor of English language publications for Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini in the 1970s before moving into the Akti Miaouli and reporting on Greek and international shipping.

Managing editor of Naftiliaki Greek Shipping Review and Newsfront Greek Shipping Intelligence, David has been Greek editor for Seatrade for over 25 years.

Get the latest maritime news, analysis and more delivered to your inbox
Join 12,000+ members of the maritime community

You May Also Like