piracy News

West African Coast Re-Emerges as Hotspot for Piracy, Kidnappings: Allianz

The West African coast has overtaken Southeast Asia as the worst area for piracy and kidnappings reported at sea last year, with the number of seafarers seized rising by more than 50%, according to a study. The area, known as …

Spike in Piracy in Singapore Strait Prompts Calls for Improved Security

Coastal nations around the Singapore Strait must step up surveillance and patrols of the strategic waterway after a sharp rise in piracy incidents last year, maritime watchdog ReCAAP said on Wednesday. The number of piracy and armed robbery incidents in …

Eight Crew Members Kidnapped from Greek Tanker Anchored Near Cameroon

Five Greeks, two Filipinos and a Ukrainian were abducted by unidentified assailants from the Greek-flagged tanker ‘Happy Lady’ while the vessel was anchored two nautical miles from Limboh port in Cameroon. The attack on the 28 crew-member ship took place …

Piracy Surges Along Southeast Asia’s Straits of Malacca and Singapore

Piracy has surged this year along Southeast Asia’s straits of Malacca and Singapore, one of the world’s busiest trade routes, according to a watch group that tracks maritime security. Incidents along the shipping choke point have risen to 30, from …

Pirates Attack Oil Tanker in West Africa, Kidnapping Another Crew

An oil tanker was attacked on Sunday in West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea and most of its crew were kidnapped, the latest in a string of incidents highlighting the security risks to shipping in the region. The vessel — an …

Pirates Hijack Fully Loaded Supertanker Off Nigeria, Kidnapping 19 Crew

Pirates boarded a fully loaded supertanker off the coast of Nigeria, an act that is sure to ring alarm bells for insurers about the risk of collecting oil from Africa’s biggest producer. Nineteen crew were kidnapped and remain missing, a …

The Mounting Cost of Piracy off Coast of West Africa: Opinion

Remember those Somali pirates? Earlier this decade, they brazenly hijacked giant oil tankers, demanded ransoms in the millions of dollars, and gave Tom Hanks yet another chance to play the everyman overcoming a life-defining crisis. Now, thanks to a multinational …

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 …