IMB report: slight drop in attacks but piracy off Somalia remains biggest threat to shipping

There has been a slight drop in the number of pirate attacks over the past year, however piracy off the coast of Somalia remains the biggest threat to international shipping, according to the International Maritime Bureau's annual piracy report, published today.

The report shows that the number of attacks has dropped from 445 cases in 2010 to 439 in 2011; however it notes that the intensity levels of the attacks have risen considerably. According to the figures reported to the IMB's piracy reporting centre in Kuala Lumpur, 802 seafarers were taken hostage in 2011 against a four-year high of 1,181 in 2010. It says that 45 ships were hijacked, 176 were boarded, 113 were fired at and 105 ships reported an attempted attack.

The maritime watchdog puts the drop in attacks down to the increased security measures shipping companies are taking. These include ship-hardening measures (razor wire, additional look outs) and deploying armed security teams whilst transiting the most dangerous routes.

The Mission's director of justice and welfare, the Revd Canon Ken Peters, welcomed the report, but noted that there is still some way to go before piracy is eradicated.

"It is encouraging to note that there has been a drop in the number of attacks, however we still need all shipowners to ensure that they have notified the authorities of their location and that their vessels are suitably protected whilst transiting the high risk areas," he said. "For the past year, the Mission has been calling on shipowners and governments to protect seafarers on vessels and we are encouraged that much has been done over the past year to make this happen. But seafarers on board these ships still feel vulnerable and it is up to the industry to ensure that their crews are properly trained before entering pirate waters and that they are afforded appropriate levels of post-trauma support and after-care should an attack happen."

The Mission to Seafarers has a strong presence in East Africa and the Gulf of Aden where chaplains and ship visitors regularly encounter seafarers terrified about being attacked. Representatives in the region are trained in critical incident counselling and post-trauma support and regularly provide help and assistance to recently-freed crews.