Amid a complex and dynamic maritime security situation in West Africa, a new publication provides Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security off the Coast of West Africa (BMP- West Africa) including the Gulf of Guinea.
Dryad Global Maritime Security reported a piracy incident in the Gulf of Guinea, where seven crew members have been kidnapped. The 2015-built, 957-teu MSC Talia F, that was carrying 17 seafarers, is believed to have been en-route from Lome, Togo to Port Libreville, Gabon at the time of the pirates’ boarding.
Dryad Global has been vocal about the impact of COVID-19 on the shipping sector and specifically on the security issues that already exist in the sector, also playing a negative role at global recession, logistical complexities, and geopolitical considerations.
Among other disruptions globally, the COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity for malicious actors to conduct spearphishing campaigns, financial scams, and disinformation campaigns via social media, the US Navy warned.
Stable Seas published a new report examining the maritime security and governance in the Bay of Bengal across nine issue areas including the blue economy, coastal welfare, rule of law, piracy and armed robbery, illicit trades, maritime mixed migration, fisheries, maritime enforcement capacity, and international cooperation.
The US Maritime Administration issued an updated advisory concerning piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, which will be implemented from January 14, 2020 to July 12, 2020. US MARAD advises that all suspicious activities and events must be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center at 800-424-8802 in accordance with 33 CFR 101.305.
Clandestine migration is an issue that attracts interest these days, with TT Club informing that except border disruptions, this issue poses a great risk of contamination and damage to goods. Now, 2019 closed with surging numbers concerning clandestine migration with each Brexit deadline, as smugglers anticipated the border becoming more secure after Brexit.
The Standard Club is focusing on the rise of piracy and armed robbery attacks off West Africa in the timeframe between 2019 to 2020, and collaborates with several local lawyers and correspondents in the area receiving various guidance.
The shipping industry is willing to support Nigerian Navy efforts and work with all parties, in order to end the escalation of piracy that acts as an endemic blight to free trade, was the key message of ICS Chairman Esben Poulsson while speaking after the ICS Board meeting in London this week.
ECSA raised the alarm about the dire security situation in the Gulf of Guinea, at the ECR Conference on Maritime Security and the Blue Economy in the European Parliament on Wednesday, February 5.
