Tag: Gulf of Guinea

The US Department of Transportation (MARAD) has issued advisory providing guidance to vessels transiting and operating in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea.

MPs take note of threat to UK shipping and seafarers in West Africa

Piracy report of Q2, 2013 reveals that somali piracy has fallen to its lowest levels According to IMB's new piracy report of Q2 2013 revealed today, somali piracy hasfallen to its lowest levels since 2006, focusing attention on violent piracy and armed robbery off the coast of West Africa.Worldwide, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) recorded 138 piracy incidents in the first six months of 2013, compared with 177 incidents for the corresponding period in 2012. Seven hijackings have been recorded this year compared with 20 in the first half of 2012. The number of sailors taken hostage also fell dramatically; down to 127 this year from 334 in the first six months of 2012.In the Gulf of Guinea, in addition to a rise in piracy and armed robbery - 31 incidents so far this year, including four hijackings - IMB reports a surge in kidnappings at sea and a wider range of ship types being targeted. This is a new cause for concern in a region already known for attacks against vessels in the oil industry and theft of gas oil from tankers."There has been a worrying trend in the kidnapping of crew from vessels well outside the territorial ...

Piracy and the Fate of Nigerian Shippers

European Space Agency to commission piracy prevention study

The UK P&I Club issues update on Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea

Maersk s WAFMAX vessels to grow trade relations in West Africa

North P&I Club publishes guidance on employing armed guards in west Africa

The Critical Maritime Routes in the Gulf of Guinea Programme A new project which will boost security and the safety of maritime routes across seven African countries in the Gulf of Guinea was announced today by the European Union.The Critical Maritime Routes in the Gulf of Guinea Programme (CRIMGO) will help governments across West and Central Africa to improve safety of the main shipping routes by providing training for coastguards and establishing a network to share information between countries and agencies across the region.Announcing the project today, Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, said: "Without security, development can never properly reach the people it needs to. That's why our new project, which will help to boost transport security in Western Africa, is so crucial. By making the waters safe, we are helping to boost trade and growth and provide more opportunities to make a living, which these countries so desperately need."The project will be rolled out from January 2013 in 7 African coastal states: Benin, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Sâo Tomé and Principe and Togo.The Gulf of Guinea currently accounts for 13% of oil and 6% of gas imports to the EU. However, piracy and armed robbery, as well as drug, ...

Interim Guidelines for Owners, Operators and Masters for protection against piracy