Piracy Incidents Rose 26% in 2014: Report

Incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea increased 26% in 2014, the highest number of incidents since 2011, according to a report released by Control Risks yesterday.

Control Risks, a London based global risk and strategic consulting firm, reported in its 2015 Maritime Risk Forecast  that the rise in global piracy and armed robbery incidents was a result of increased activity in the Americas and Asia. African piracy is down, and incidents around the Horn of Africa fell to below 50 in 2014 from 300 in 2011.

 The majority of attacks (30%) occurred in Asia, Control Risks reported. The group said that the number of incidents in Asia rose 28% in 2014. The report predicted that hijackings would continue in 2015, although it also predicted that it would be unlikely that hijackings-for-cargo incidents would reach 2014 totals.

Although piracy concerns remain valid in the coming year, the report stated that " a greater proportion of maritime operators are likely to be affected by broader political, operational and security risks in the year ahead."

"Civil conflict and political instability in countries adjacent to key waterways will complicate mobilisation and transhipment. Geopolitical uncertainty over Russian sanctions will continue to impact dry bulk, container and tanker shipping. Oil and gas operators will face further scrutiny from activist groups over Arctic drilling. Meanwhile, an increase in the number of migrants fleeing conflicts in North Africa and the Middle East will place further strain on Mediterranean shipping routes," the report stated.