Experts have warned that the high cost of importation to West African countries is a direct result of extra insurance costs incurred by vessels in the GoG . Shipping routes whose shortest path takes them through regions where pirates are known to operate attract higher costs. 

The Gulf of Guinea accounted for nearly half (43%) of all reported piracy incidents in the first quarter of 2021, according to the latest data from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

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The Gulf of Guinea is a 2,350,000 km2 (910, 000 Sq miles) aquatic surface area on the Atlantic Ocean, whose basin countries are Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Angola, the Congos, Sao Tome and Principe, Niger, Gabon, Equitorial Guinea and Cameroun.

38 incidents were recorded in the first 3 months of 2021, compared to 47 incidents during the same period last year. In the first three months of 2021, the International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) recorded 33 vessels were boarded, 2 attempted attacks, 2 vessels got fired at and 1 vessel hijacked.

"The Gulf of Guinea continued its lead as the most notorious waters for seafarers. The GoG recorded 43% of all reported piracy incidents occurring in the region. The region also accounted for all kidnapped crew incidents, as well as the sole crew fatality", according to IMB.

“Pirates operating within the Gulf of Guinea are well-equipped to attack further away from shorelines and are unafraid to take violent action against innocent crews” warns IMB Director Michael Howlett.

“It’s critical that seafarers remain cautious and vigilant when travelling in nearby waters and report all incidents to the Regional Authorities and the IMB PRC. Only improved knowledge sharing channels and increased collaboration between maritime response authorities will reduce the risk to seafarers in the region.”

The furthest recorded kidnapping occurred on 11 March 2021 when pirates kidnapped 15 crew from a Maltese flagged Chemical Tanker, 212nm south of Cotonou, Benin. In another incident, a fishing vessel hijacked on 8 February 2021 was used by pirates as a mother vessel to facilitate other attacks.

The IMB PRC commends the Coastal response agencies and independent international navies tasked in the Region for actively responding to reported incidents and encourages their continued efforts in making the GoG waters safer for the seafarers.

It is worthy of note that the challenge of piracy is not just a problem for littoral states. It generally undermines regional development as it stunts global trade. 

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