2021-05-19T08:45:00+01:00
99 maritime companies, organisations and flag states have joined together to sign the Gulf of Guinea Declaration on Suppression of Piracy.
The Nigerian navy frigate NNS Thunder (F90) sails in the Gulf of Guinea during a French-Led exercise. Photo credit: mass communication specialist seaman Conner Foy, U.S. Navy.
The Gulf of Guinea remains the most dangerous environment for commercial maritime operations. A total of 136 crew were abducted in 27 incidents last year, and while piracy in the region is not increasing at an exponential rate, the level of violence is. The use of guns was reported in over 80 percent of the 2020 kidnappings. Those statistics do not fully capture the dangers and attacks should not be counted only when pirates achieve their aims.