International Maritime Bureau (IMB) News

Update: Fuel Tanker Hijacking Revives Fears of Somali Pirate Threat

The hijacking of a fuel tanker off Somalia’s coast shows the threat pirates still pose to one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, a risk that may also hamper the Horn of African country’s efforts to explore for offshore oil …

Pirates Demand Ransom for Oil Tanker Hijacked off Coast of Somalia

Pirates off the coast of Somalia, who hijacked an oil tanker with eight Sri Lankan crew on board, are demanding a ransom for the release of the vessel, the EU Naval Force said. The pirates seized the Comoros-flagged Aris 13 …

Somali Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker in 1st Commercial Attack in 5 Years

Pirates have hijacked an oil tanker with eight Sri Lankan crew onboard, a Somali official said on Tuesday, the first time they have successfully taken a commercial ship since 2012. The Aris 13 sent a distress call on Monday, turned …

Pirate Attacks by Heavily Armed Gangs Surge off Nigerian Coast

Pirate attacks off Nigeria’s coast have jumped by a third this year with ships passing through West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, a major commodities hub, increasingly under threat from gangs wanting to snatch cargoes and crews. Unlike the dangerous waters …

IMB Reports Piracy Falls in 2012, But Seas off East and West Africa Still Dangerous

The latest report on global piracy from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB) notes that it has “reached a five-year low, with 297 ships attacked in 2012, compared with 439 in 2011.” The IMB, which has …