Focus on offshore merchant shipping
Tankers and supply ships are facing an increased threat of hijacking off Nigeria, according to analysis by maritime-security firm Risk Intelligence, which is predicting an escalation of violent attacks against ships this year.
Although overall maritime attacks in the Niger Delta in 2010 fell to just 58, as compared to 91 in the previous year, the bad news is that there was a significant focus on offshore merchant shipping as the pirates spread out from their usual sphere of operation.
Risk Intelligence found that as a result of the failure of an amnesty programme, militants are moving away from the inshore rivers and offshore kidnappings for ransom are becoming more common.
Source: Safety4Sea
