Statement by the shipping and marine services company GAC
Piracy declined in July because of the monsoon season in the Indian Ocean but there was a rise in incidents in the Red Sea, shipping and marine services company GAC said.
The monsoon is driving piracy from the Indian Ocean to other areas especially in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, GAC said in its monthly piracy report. A total of 13 attacks were recorded in this region, continuing the upward trend of previous months.
There were a total of 28 pirate attacks worldwide in July compared with 39 in June, the report said.
The situation in West Africa is also worrying with pirate activity spreading outwards from the Niger Delta especially towards the Gulf of Guinea coast.
“The Gulf of Guinea has also seen a rise in pirate activity, most notably off the coast of Benin. The region has experienced almost 10% of all pirate activity so far this year,” GAC said.
GAC also warned that piracy in East Africa would rise by the end of September as the monsoon season comes to a close.
“Piracy of East Africa is projected to increase significantly after the end of monsoon season at the end of September, when vessel operators should take precautionary measures to limit their exposure to pirate attacks,” said GAC in a statement.
Source: Platts
