Maritime crime drops but threat persists
Maritime kidnappings now represent the biggest threat to seafarers after the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported that incidents of piracy dropped to their lowest rate for nearly 20 years in 2016.
While piracy and armed robbery is on the decline with 191 incidents reported, more crew were kidnapped at sea last year than at any time during the past ten years. Figures showed a threefold increase on the previous year.
A total of 62 crew were kidnapped for ransom in 15 incidents with half of those taking place off West Africa, while 28 were kidnapped from tugs, barges, fishing boats
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US shipbuilding struggles to keep pace with China]()
US shipbuilding struggles to keep pace with China
The small production capacity of US shipyards has generated multiple delays in US Navy programmes.
-
![SEA sells TLS to unnamed navy in the Americas]()
SEA sells TLS to unnamed navy in the Americas
The longstanding modular torpedo launching system has been adopted by the unnamed navy.
-
![Outgoing US Navy Secretary names a host of vessels among his last actions in the role]()
Outgoing US Navy Secretary names a host of vessels among his last actions in the role
The outgoing US Secretary of the Navy named destroyers, submarines and aircraft carriers during his last weeks in office.
-
![Can retrofitted autonomy support cash-strapped navies?]()
Can retrofitted autonomy support cash-strapped navies?
Autonomous vessels can reduce risk to the lives of naval personnel, but could retrofitting be a faster, cheaper option?
