Security Report

Piracy

Despite the international efforts to tackle piracy the phenomenon persists remaining a significant threat for maritime industry. The number of the overall reported attacks in 2017 were slightly reduced, 180 down from 191 in 2016. 136 vessels were boarded of whom 6 were hijacked in 2017 whereas 150 were boarded in 2016 of whom 7 were hijacked.  SE Asia recorded 76 attacks and Africa 57 followed by the Americas with 24. 16 vessels were fired upon, up from 12 in 2016, only 1 in 2015 and 13 in 2014. It was the highest number of vessels fired upon since 2013, a worrying trend. 3 seafarers were killed in 2017, none in 2016, 1 in 2015, 4 in 2014 and 1 in 2013. However, less crew were taken hostage, 91, was 151 in 2016. Compared to 2016, slightly more were kidnapped in 2017, 75. Out of 180 attacks, 75 were against tankers, 50 against bulk carriers and 23 against container vessels up from 10 in 2016. 100 of the victim vessels were controlled/managed by 3 countries: Greece, Germany and Singapore. 

Piracy

Despite the international efforts to tackle piracy the phenomenon persists remaining a significant threat for maritime industry. The number of the overall reported attacks in 2017 were slightly reduced, 180 down from 191 in 2016. 136 vessels were boarded of whom 6 were hijacked in 2017 whereas 150 were boarded in 2016 of whom 7 were hijacked.  SE Asia recorded 76 attacks and Africa 57 followed by the Americas with 24. 16 vessels were fired upon, up from 12 in 2016, only 1 in 2015 and 13 in 2014. It was the highest number of vessels fired upon since 2013, a worrying trend. 3 seafarers were killed in 2017, none in 2016, 1 in 2015, 4 in 2014 and 1 in 2013. However, less crew were taken hostage, 91, was 151 in 2016. Compared to 2016, slightly more were kidnapped in 2017, 75. Out of 180 attacks, 75 were against tankers, 50 against bulk carriers and 23 against container vessels up from 10 in 2016. 100 of the victim vessels were controlled/managed by 3 countries: Greece, Germany and Singapore. 

Immigration flows

In 2017 immigration flows continued albeit significantly reduced. The Mediterranean Sea is the main sea route which leads to Europe for tenths of thousands of immigrants and refugees/asylum seekers from many African, Middle East and Asian countries. In 2017 there were 157000 arrivals to Europe, down from 261000 compared to 2016. The bulk of the arrivals were by sea. Only in the Mediterranean, 2996 were recorded dead or missing in 2017, 4303 in 2016. The trends allow for optimism as regards flows.  However, developments in Middle East confrontations, civil wars, terrorism and social unrest/instability in key - countries will decide what happens short term. The only given is that immigration flows, especially towards Europe, are here to stay for the years to come

PIRACY EVOLVING

Nowadays it is commonly accepted that we live in a world where not clear periods of war or peace exist, so there are not defined interim periods of peace between them. Nevertheless, the whole modern world, with the menace of new asymmetric threats, seems to be in a state of constant disruption. This new kind of “asymmetrical” war is certain that it is not governed by the doctrines of war theorists, such as Mahan and Clausewitz, who spoke of tactics and strategies in the context of a constitutionalized war of earlier times. Modern foe at sea is now terrorism and illegal activities in the form of pirates, smugglers, fanatic religious groups and all kinds of illegal groups that prove to be particularly dangerous and effective in their incessant activity. The 20th century saw the birth and development of the phenomenon of terrorism, as we perceive it today. The rapid technological progress that has become accessible to most people through international trade and communications has helped to develop this phenomenon. Moreover, piracy, as it is today, constitutes the greatest threat in the seas. Unlike the pirates of the old age, whose sole purpose was material profit, modern pirates, beyond that, have ideological foundations and there is clear evidence that they have a political and religious agenda as well as links with terrorist groups.