West Africa’s coastline has recorded a 50% increase in kidnapping of sailors last year, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) annual report revealed on Tuesday. According to the maritime watchdog, the number of sailors kidnapped off West Africa rose to 121 last year from 78 in 2018 in the Gulf of Guinea. The report said incidents of piracy had declined in 2019 but “vessels remain at risk in several regions, especially the Gulf of Guinea”. “These latest statistics confirm the importance of increased information exchange and coordination between vessels, reporting and response agencies in the Gulf of Guinea region,” said Michael Howlett, director of IMB. For the first time, Somalia reported zero piracy incidents, yet the IMB advises that vessels and crews remain cautious when travelling through the region.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 15, 2020 16:41 UTC