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Piracy in the 21st century

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Not to be confused with Copyright infringement.

Piracy in the 21st century (commonly known as modern piracy) has taken place in a number of waters around the globe, including but not limited to, the Gulf of Guinea, Gulf of Aden,[1] Arabian Sea,[2] Strait of Malacca, Sulu and Celebes Seas, Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Falcon Lake.

Suspected pirates assemble on the deck of a dhow near waters off of western Malaysia, January 2006.

Waters

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Caribbean

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Further information: Piracy off the coast of Venezuela
 
Gasoline smuggling in the Limón River, Zulia state, Venezuela

Due to the crisis in Bolivarian Venezuela, issues of piracy returned to the Caribbean in the 2010s, with the increase in pirate activity being compared to piracy off the coast of Somalia given their similar socioeconomic origins.[3] In 2016, many former fishermen turned to piracy, initially in the state of Sucre, where attacks occurred daily, often resulting in multiple killings.[4] By 2018, as Venezuelans became more desperate, fears arose that Venezuelan pirates might spread throughout Caribbean waters.[3] Many may have turned to piracy due to larger ships from other countries entering the waters of low-income countries to exploit resources like fish. Since many residents of such countries rely on fishing as their primary source of income, the depletion of aquatic resources like fish caused by these larger ships often leaves local fishermen without any means of livelihood once the ships depart permanently.

Falcon Lake

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Main article: Piracy on Falcon Lake

Falcon Lake is a 100-kilometre long (60 mi) reservoir constructed in 1954 along the border between the United States and Mexico that serves as a known drug smuggling route.[5]

A turf war between rival drug cartels for control of the lake began in March 2010, resulting in a series of armed robberies and shooting incidents. All attacks were attributed to the Los Zetas cartel, occurring primarily on the Mexican side of the reservoir but within sight of the Texas shoreline. These so-called pirates operate "fleets" of small boats used to target fishermen and smuggle drugs.[6][7]

While these events are commonly referred to as piracy, all waters of Falcon Lake are classified as either U.S. or Mexican territorial waters. As such, these activities do not meet the technical definition of piracy under Article 101 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.[8]

Gulf of Guinea

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Main article: Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea
 
Incidences[spelling?] of pipeline vandalism by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea, 2002–11

Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea affects numerous countries in West Africa and has significant implications for the broader international community. By 2011, it had become a global concern.[9][10] Pirates operating in the Gulf of Guinea are often part of heavily armed criminal enterprises that uses violent methods to steal oil cargo.[11] In 2012, the International Maritime Bureau, Oceans Beyond Piracy, and the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Program reported that had carried out the highest number of vessel attacks globally, with 966 seafarers affected that year.[12]

Over the first decade of the 21st century, Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has evolved significantly. Initially, smaller ships transporting employees and materials for oil companies involved in exploration were the primary targets in Nigeria. Over time, however, pirates grew more aggressive and better equipped.[10] By 2014, most pirate attacks in West Africa occurred in territorial waters, terminals, and harbors rather than on the high seas. This attack pattern has complicated intervention efforts by international naval forces.

Pirates in the Gulf of Guinea operate within a well-funded and organized criminal industry, supported by established supply networks. Increasingly, they utilize motherships to launch attacks, enhancing their operational range and efficiency. Their primary aim is to steal oil cargo, with limited interest in holding crew members or non-oil vessels and cargo for ransom. Notably, pirates in this region are infamous for their violent methods, which often involve kidnapping, torture, and the shooting of crew members. This violent approach is believed to be part of a deliberate "business model" that relies on intimidation and brutality to achieve its objectives.

By 2010, 45 incidents of piracy had been reported to the UN International Maritime Organization, rising to 120 incidents by 2012.[9] However, many attacks remain unreported. These acts of piracy disrupt legitimate trade interests of affected countries, including Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. For instance, trade through Benin’s main port, the Port of Cotonou, reportedly declined by 70% in 2012 due to piracy.[10] The economic cost of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, encompassing stolen goods, security measures, and insurance expenses, has been estimated at approximately $2 billion.[9]

According to the Control Risks Group, pirate attacks in the Gulf of Guinea had maintained a steady rate of around 100 attempted hijackings by mid-November 2013, ranking the region third globally for piracy incidents, behind Southeast Asia.[13]

Indian Ocean

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Main article: Piracy in Somalia
 
Extent of pirate attacks on shipping vessels in the Indian Ocean between 2005 and 2010

Piracy in the Indian Ocean has posed a threat to international shipping since the onset of the Somali Civil War in the early 1990s.[14] By 2005, many international organizations have raised concerns about the increasing number of pirate attacks.[15][16] These acts of piracy disrupt the delivery of shipments, escalated shipping costs, and caused an estimated $6.6 to $6.9 billion in annual losses to global trade, according to Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP).[17] The German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) noted that an industry of profiteers emerged around the piracy crisis. Insurance companies, for insurance, saw significant profit increase as they raised premium rates in response to the heightened risks.[18]

The fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean was spearheaded by Combined Task Force 150, a multinational coalition task force, that established the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) within the Gulf of Aden[19] and the Guardafui Channel.[20] By September 2012, the peak of piracy in the region was reportedly over.[21] The International Maritime Bureau noted that pirate attacks had dropped to a six-year low by October 2012, with only one ship attacked during the third quarter compared to thirty-six during the same period in 2011.[22]

By December 2013, the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence reported that pirates had attacked only 9 vessels that year, with no successful hijackings.[23] Control Risks attributed this 90% decline in pirate activity from 2012 levels to several factors: the adoption of best management practices by ship owners and crews, the deployment of armed private security personnel on board vessels, the presence of significant naval forces, and the development of onshore security forces.[24]

Strait of Malacca

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The Strait of Malacca has been a major area of pirate activity.
Main article: Piracy in the Strait of Malacca

Pirates in the Strait of Malacca near Indonesia are typically armed with guns, knives, or machetes. They often carry out their attacks at night, targeting ships either underway or at anchor. If a vessel sounds an alarm, the pirates usually retreat without engaging the crew.[25] Similarly, in the Singapore Straits, pirates conduct nighttime attacks on ships that are either anchored or in transit.[25]

By mid-November 2013, the Control Risks Group, reported that pirate attacks in the Strait of Malacca had reached a global high, surpassing the number of incidents in the Gulf of Guinea.[13]

Sulu and Celebes Seas

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Main article: Piracy in the Sulu and Celebes Seas
 
Sulu and Celebes Seas

The Sulu and Celebes Seas, a semi- enclosed and porous maritime region spanning approximately 1 million square kilometers,[26] have been hotspots for illegal activities since the pre-colonial era.[27] These waters continue to pose significant maritime security threats to neighboring nations.

In recent years, the abduction of crew members has become the most prevalent illegal activity in the area, with many incidents attributed to the violent extremist group Abu Sayyaf. Since March 2016, the Information Sharing Centre (ISC) of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) has reported a total of 86 abductions.[28] This has prompted the issuance of warnings to ships traversing the region.[29]

Notable occurrences

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Image Flag (owner) Name (class) Crew (cargo) Status Date of attack Coordinates
Date of release Ransom demanded
  Bangladesh Dilruba
(Fishing) 		unknown
(unknown) 		Attacked February 2001 unknown
n/a n/a
Boarded off Patharghata. In a gun fight leaving one crew member wounded, the pirates stole supplies worth $139,373.
  Panama Lingfield
(Tanker) 		unknown
(classified) 		Attacked March 7, 2001 unknown
n/a n/a
Attacked near Bintan, Indonesia and boarded by eight pirates who, after tying up and blindfolding the ship's three senior officers, stole $11,000 from the ship's safe.
  Panama Jasper
(Cargo) 		unknown
(unknown) 		Attacked March 9, 2001 unknown
n/a n/a
Looted of $11,000 off the coast of Kosichang, Thailand by what was suspected to be members of a Thailand organized crime organization.
  Indonesia Inabukwa
(Cargo) 		unknown
(unknown) 		Attacked March 15, 2001 unknown
(2 weeks later) n/a
Boarded off the coast of Malaysia and, after marooning the crew on a nearby uninhabited island, the pirates escaped with the ship's cargo of tin ingots and pepper valued at $2,170,000. The ship was recovered by Filipino authorities two weeks later, following the arrest of the pirates.
  Panama Marine Universal
(Cargo) 		unknown
(unknown) 		Attacked May 2001 unknown
n/a n/a
Boarded by four pirates while at an anchorage in Lagos Harbor, Nigeria. Armed with long knives, they took one sailor hostage, and later threw him overboard.
 
Infrared photograph of the Maersk Alabama while it was being hijacked
   United States Maersk Alabama
(Cargo) 		23
(17,000 metric tons) 		Hostages rescued 2009-04-08 unknown
2009-04-12 n/a
Boarded by four pirates while en route to Mombasa, who attacked from another hijacked vessel. After a prolonged struggle with the crew, the pirates escaped the ship via lifeboat with the captain, Richard Phillips. Philips was rescued from the lifeboat three days later by US Navy SEALs, who killed three pirates. A fourth pirate, Abduwali Muse, was detained and convicted of hijacking and kidnapping in the United States.
  Thailand MV Prantalay 11, 12, and 14
(Commercial fishing boat) 		unknown
(unknown) 		Hijacked 2010 unknown
n/a n/a
The attack took place near the EEZ of India; however, the pirates took the boats and fisherman back to Somalia. The pirates held them for ransom until they received what they had asked for.
  Italy MSC Melody
(Cruise ship) 		unknown
(unknown) 		Attacked 2009 unknown
n/a n/a
About 800 kilometres (500 mi) off the coast of Somalia, pirates tried to attack an Italian cruise ship carrying nearly 1,500 people in 2009. An Israeli security team had been contracted to protect the cruise liner. Security personnel returned fire when the pirates started firing at the ship. The presence of a security team caused the pirates to turn around and abandon the attack.
  United States SY Quest
(Sail boat) 		unknown
(unknown) 		Hijacked 2011 unknown
n/a n/a
In February 2011 Somali pirates killed four American hostages. The pirates hijacked a sail boat from the Arabian Sea and took the people aboard hostage, including a retired couple from California. When the US Navy got too close, the pirates panicked and shot the hostages. A navy spokesperson said they did not understand why the hostages would be killed, when the pirates' motive is to hold hostages for ransom.[citation needed]
  Bahamas
(  Isle of Man) 		Galaxy Leader
(Cargo) 		unknown
(unknown) 		Hijacked 2023 unknown
(ongoing) n/a
In November 2023 during the Israel–Hamas war, Yemeni Houthis hijacked a Japanese-operated, British-owned cargo ship in the Red Sea, by landing on top of the deck from a helicopter.[30][31] The Houthis claimed the ship was Israeli, a claim that Israel denied.[31]
  Liberia
(  Monaco) 		Central Park
(Tanker) 		22
(phosphoric acid) 		Hijacked 26 November 2023 unknown
26 November 2023 n/a
In November 2023, amid the Israel–Hamas war, the Central Park, a tanker ship owned by Zodiac Maritime, was attacked in the Gulf of Aden by suspected Somali pirates. The crew of the USS Mason (DDG-87) came to the Central Park's assistance and captured five pirates.[32]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Nelson, Rick "Ozzie"; Fitch, Brianna (2012-06-20). "Combating Piracy: Challenges and Opportunities for Regional and Private-Sector Involvement".
  2. ^ "Piracy Resurfaces - Recent Hijackings Escalate Maritime Threats in the Indian Ocean". www.westpandi.com. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  3. ^ a b Freeman, Colin (23 May 2018). "Piracy returns to Caribbean as Venezuela turmoil spurs rise in attacks on yachts". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  4. ^ "El flagelo de la piratería marítima llega a las costas de Venezuela". Infobae (in Spanish). 8 December 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  5. ^ "Conspiracy theories linger in Falcon Lake Mexican 'pirates' shooting", The Christian Science Monitor.
  6. ^ Drug Wars in Tamaulipas: Cartels vs. Zetas vs. Military, Mexi data.
  7. ^ "Mexican pirates attack Texas fishermen Falcon Lake, which straddles border", The Washington Post, May 29, 2010.
  8. ^ "SECTION 4. CONTIGUOUS ZONE, Article 33". UNCLOS PART VII – GENERAL PROVISIONS. United Nations. Retrieved 2014-11-17.
  9. ^ a b c Baldauf, Scott (2012-02-28). "Next pirate hot spot: the Gulf of Guinea". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  10. ^ a b c "UN says piracy off Africa's west coast is increasing, becoming more violent". The Washington Post. Associated Press. 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2012-02-29.[dead link‍]
  11. ^ "Insight: Piracy - Gulf of Guinea". Skuld. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  12. ^ Cowell, Alan (18 June 2013). "West African Piracy Exceeds Somali Attacks, Report Says". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  13. ^ a b "RiskMap 2014 Report". Control Risks Group. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  14. ^ Khan, Sana Aftab. "Tackling Piracy in Somali Waters: Rising attacks impede delivery of humanitarian assistance". UN Chronicle. United Nations Department of Public Information, Outreach Division. Archived from the original on 2007-11-15.
  15. ^ "Piracy: orchestrating the response". International Maritime Organization.
  16. ^ "Hijackings cut aid access to south Somalia, lives at risk". World Food Programme. Archived from the original on 2010-04-01. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  17. ^ Anna, Bowden (11 January 2024). "The Economic Cost of Somali Piracy 2011" (PDF). Oceans Beyond Piracy.
  18. ^ "The Advantage of Piracy". German-foreign-policy.com. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  19. ^ Alsawalqa, Rulah Odeh; Venter, Denis (2021-03-12). "Piracy and Maritime Security in the North-Western Indian Ocean: From the Gulf of Oman to the Waters off the Somali Coast". Insight on Africa. 14 (1): 88–103. doi:10.1177/09750878211049224. ISSN 0975-0878.
  20. ^ Commander, Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs (29 September 2008). "Combined Task Force 150 Thwarts Criminal Activities". US Africa Command. Archived from the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  21. ^ Abdi Guled, Jason Straziuso (25 September 2012). "AP IMPACT: Party seems over for Somali pirates". AP. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  22. ^ Alaric Nightingale, Michelle Wiese Bockmann (22 October 2012). "Somalia Piracy Falls to Six-Year Low as Guards Defend Ships". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  23. ^ Yanofsky, David (27 December 2013). "Somali piracy was reduced to zero this year". Quartz. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  24. ^ "Somali piracy is down 90 per cent from last year". The Journal. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  25. ^ a b Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships; ICC International Maritime Bureau; January 1–December 31, 2013; retrieved 4-11-2014.
  26. ^ Alverdian, Indra; Joas, Marko; Tynkkynen, Nina (2020). "Prospects for multi-level governance of maritime security in the Sulu-Celebes Sea: lessons from the Baltic Sea region". Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs. 12 (2): 114. doi:10.1080/18366503.2020.1770944. S2CID 219931525.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ Ikrami, Hadyu (2018). "Sulu-Sulawesi Seas Patrol: Lessons from the Malacca Straits Patrol and Other Similar Cooperative Frameworks". The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. 33 (4): 800. doi:10.1163/15718085-12334092. S2CID 158983060.
  28. ^ Safety 4 Sea (15 January 2021). "ReCAAP ISC: 2020 ends with 97 piracy incidents in Asia, a 17% increase". Safety 4 Sea. Retrieved 7 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ RECAAP ISC (2020). "Annual Report. January- December 2020". Retrieved 6 August 2021. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  30. ^ "Yemen's Houthi rebels seize cargo ship they claim is Israel's in Red Sea". Sky News. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  31. ^ a b "Japan condemns Yemen's Houthi rebels hijack of cargo ship in Red Sea". BBC News. 2023-11-20. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  32. ^ Seligman, Lara (27 November 2023). "Pentagon: Suspected Somali pirates behind cargo ship attack in the Middle East". Politico. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
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