The Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) expressed its concern over the continuing piracy at the Gulf of Guinea, stressing that despite the efforts being made by the whole industry the situation remains dangerous for ships sailing there.
Specifically, in a statement CSC expressed regret over the ineffectiveness of the international community to address the continuing piracy crisis in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).
The Chamber welcomes 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.
However, CSC expressed its disappointment over the situation in the Gulf that remains dangerous, despite the efforts being conducted.
The most recent report conducted by the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) reported a 40% increase in the number of kidnappings reported in the Gulf of Guinea, compared to 2019.
CSC said that “although 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 as this persistent problem cannot be addressed within just a few months.”
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 Chamber added.
The latest incident that tool place in the Gulf of Guinea was during the last week of 2020, when ReCAAP ISC informed of one attempted incident to an LNG tanker while underway off the Gulf of Guinea.
