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ICC IMB reports increase in number of crew taken hostage or kidnapped in 2024

The just-released IMB annual Piracy and Armed Robbery Report recorded 116 incidents against ships in 2024, fractionally down from the 120 recorded in 2023, but higher than the 115 reported in 2022.

IMB said that 94 vessels were boarded, that there were 13 attempted attacks, with six vessels being hijacked and three being fired upon.

The Bureau noted that, while the number of reported incidents in 2024 was similar to those reported in 2023 and 2022, the number of crew taken hostage or kidnapped increased to 126. That compared with 73 in 2023 and 41 in 2022.

Twelve crew were reported kidnapped, compared to 14 in 2023 and two in 2022. A further 12 crew were threatened in 2024, with one seafarer being injured.

The reported use of weapons also continued to rise. In 2024, guns were reported in 26 incidents, up from 15 in 2023. Knives were reported in 39 incidents in 2024, compared to 42 incidents in 2023.

Activity remained relatively lower in the Gulf of Guinea, where the 18 incidents reported in 2024 compared to 22 in 2023, 19 in 2022, 35 in 2021 and 81 in 2020. However, crew members continued to be at risk, with the region accounting for all 12 kidnapped crew and 23 % of the total number of crew taken hostage in 2024.

In East Africa at least eight incidents were reported, including the hijacking of two fishing vessels and a bulk carrier during the first half of 2024. These were related to the geopolitical problems approaching the Gulf of Arabia, and originated mainly from northern Somalia.

Incidents in the Singapore Straits continued to rise: 43 in 2024, compared to 37 in 2023 and 38 in 2022. The 2024 IMB Piracy and Armed Robbery report noted that 93% of vessels targeted were boarded, with 11 large vessels over 100,000 dwt being subject to attack.

While considered low-level opportunistic crimes, the use of guns and knives increased to eight and 19 in 2024 respectively, compared to three and 15 in 2023. Most incidents were reported during the hours of darkness and while vessels were underway.

Also observed was a year-on-year increase in reported incidents in the Indonesian archipelago. These rose to 22 in 2024, up from10 in 2022 and 18 in 2023 to 22 in 2024. In total, 31 crew were taken hostage and one was threatened. The use of knives was reported in 10 incidents, with guns being used in three.

Bangladesh anchorages also experienced a rise in incidents, to the highest level for a decade. IMB said that there had been 14 incidents in 2024, of which 13 were on ships anchored at Chattogram. There was one incident at Mongla anchorage. In the 14 incidents, two crew were taken hostage and a further three were threatened. The use of knives was reported in seven incidents.