Piracy is a significant threat for the global shipping industry. In this post we will examine some of the global piracy hotspots, before discussing some of the common types of piracy at sea. We will then explore how you can mitigate the risks of piracy for you, your vessel, your cargo, and your crew.
Highest Risk Piracy Hotspots
- High risk areas: Gulf of Guinea (West Africa); Indian Ocean (East Africa); Gulf of Aden.
- Medium risk areas: Strait of Malacca (Southeast Asia); Somalia (Horn of Africa); South China Sea.
- Low risk areas: Caribbean Sea; Bay of Bengal.
If you trade in any of these areas, even if it is a “low risk” area, then piracy is a very real threat, and you will have to prepare accordingly.
Types of Piracy at Sea
All types of piracy have the same essential goal: To board your vessel for financial gain. Pirates will use a range of techniques to achieve this goal:
- Surprise Attacks: Pirates may use small and fast skiffs to rapidly approach your vessel, before using ladders or grappling hooks to board. They may choose to attack at night, when it may be harder for the crew to detect their approach and respond to their boarding.
- Armed Assault: Pirates will be armed with a range of weapons which they will use to intimidate your crew. They may try to take hostages, or they may attempt to steal your cargo directly. Or they may try to hijack your vessel, so that they can take it to a pirate-controlled port.
- Comms Attack: Pirates may attempt to jam your vessel’s communication systems. This may make it harder for you to detect their approach. It would also leave your vessel isolated, and unable to call for help.
- Coordinated Attack: Instead of using small and fast skiffs, pirates may instead surround your vessel with a number of larger boats. This will close off some escape routes while allowing them to attack from multiple sides. They may even disguise their pirate boat as a fishing or merchant vessel. This way, they can get close to your ship without raising suspicion, leaving you vulnerable to attack.
How To Mitigate The Risk of Piracy
There are a number of ways you can help reduce the risk of piracy, including:
- Crew Training: Make sure your crew understands the risks of piracy, and how to identify any red flags that could indicate that an attack is imminent. You must also ensure that your crew knows how to respond to any potential threats, which should include sharing information with other vessels in the area.
- Onboard Security Personnel: If the local and international laws allow it, some vessels hire extra armed security staff whenever they are sailing through areas where there is a known risk of piracy. While armed security personnel can help your vessel respond to a boarding attempt, they can also act as a strong deterrent. Pirates may be unlikely to attempt a boarding if they know to expect armed resistance.
- Extra Security Tech: Investing in extra security can help prevent many boarding attempts. This can include razor wire, extra secure doors and windows, water cannons, and safe rooms for the crew. Automated radar systems, infrared cameras, long range acoustic devices (LRADs) and drones can help vessels spot potential threats far in advance, while a ship security alert system (SSAS) can automatically alert any shore-based authorities of growing threats or attacks.
You can read our full guide to preventing piracy at sea.
Does Your Marine Insurance Cover You For Piracy?
If your vessel will be travelling through a location with a risk of piracy, then you must ensure that your maritime insurance covers you for the increased risk. Your policy should include war risk insurance, which can protect against losses from acts of piracy, along with kidnap and ransom insurance (K&R) for you and your crew.
Everard Insurance Brokers is the specialist marine division of accredited Lloyd’s broker James Hallam Limited. We can help you secure comprehensive protection against piracy and related risks, so you and your crew can effectively respond to any incident at sea.
Learn more about our dedicated marine insurance services.