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West Africa – SEVERE: In January NYA recorded 11 incidents in the West Africa HRA, marking a 42% decrease from the 19 piracy incidents recorded in December 2019. However, this represents a slight increase from the 10 incidents reported during the same period in the previous year. In total, there were two recorded hijacks, four attacks, one boarding, two suspicious approaches and two criminal boardings. Of these incidents, six occurred within Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and another two in Nigerian Territorial Waters (TTW). Beyond Nigerian maritime borders, two incidents (one hijack and one suspicious approach) occurred within Cameroonian anchorages and one boarding was recorded approximately 76NM S of Cotonou, Benin. Due to favourable weather conditions associated with the regional dry season, the threat to piracy remains severe throughout the West Africa HRA. As a result, the targeting of commercial vessels deep offshore is expected to persist until the onset of the wet season in March.
East Africa – SUBSTANTIAL: In January four incidents were recorded in the East Africa HRA, marking a considerable increase from the one incident reported in December 2019. Furthermore, this uptick in piracy activity represents a gradual deterioration in the region’s maritime security environment, with no incidents recorded in September or October and two incidents recorded in November 2019. In January three of the four incidents recorded were suspicious approaches, two of which occurred in the Gulf of Aden. Due to escalating regional tensions, exacerbated by the US killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani on 3 January in Iraq, there remains a heightened threat to commercial vessels transiting the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
South and Southeast Asia – SUBSTANTIAL: In January nine piracy incidents were recorded in the South and Southeast Asia HRA, marking a 36% decrease from the 14 incidents recorded over December 2019. However, this total still represents a 125% increase in comparison to the four incidents recorded during the same period the previous year. Criminal boardings remain the most prevalent threat, accounting for 89% of all incidents recorded in January, a trend that is highly likely to persist in the medium term. The outlying incident – a hijack 4NM NE of Tambisan Island, Malaysia – was the first of its kind perpetrated by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) since September 2019, demonstrating the organisations capability to conduct kidnap operations despite persistent regional counterterrorism efforts. As a result, the overall threat level in the region will likely remain substantial in the medium term.
Latin America – SUBSTANTIAL: In January two incidents were recorded across the Latin America region, representing a 100% increase from the one incident reported in December. In line with previous reporting periods, pirates continue to target anchored vessels in criminal boarding operations, underlining a substantial threat to commercial maritime operations.
Other Areas – MODERATE: North Africa and Eastern Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. LOW: Southern Africa, Northeast Asia, Oceania, Black Sea, Northern Europe and Northwest Atlantic.
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