Global maritime insurers say Nigeria’s coastal waters which recorded the highest piracy rates in 2020 remains the riskiest despite efforts by the FG to deal with the growing piracy like the Deep Blue Project.
This was disclosed on Thursday in a report by Bloomberg after interviewing a member of the Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA) which identifies and resolves issues that are of particular interest to the global underwriting community.
Neil Roberts, Head of Marine at the LMA said the recent efforts by the FG are “not enough to fill crews, owners or insurers with confidence.”
READ: Implications of Attahiru’s passing on Nigeria’s war against insurgency
“There is an enhanced risk to ships and crews and, until that has clearly been removed, Nigeria will remain a Listed Area,” he told Bloomberg.
The LMA’s Joint War Committee which compiles the riskiest places for insurers added the Gulf of Guinea as a “listed area.”
What you should know
In its Annual Piracy report, the International Maritime Bureau reported that West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea recorded an unprecedented increase in piracy attacks in 2020.
The Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) received 195 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships worldwide, in comparison to 162 in 2019. The incidents included three hijacked vessels, 11 vessels fired upon, 20 attempted attacks, and 161 vessels boarded, 135 crew members were kidnapped from their vessels in 2020, with the Gulf of Guinea accounting for over 95% kidnapped. A record of 130 crew members were kidnapped in 22 separate incidents.
READ: Gulf of Guinea: Report urges FG to enlist private security companies to fight piracy
This Month, President Buhari launched the Deep Blue Project under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection, in Lagos, a move that is meant to protect Nigeria’s waterways, including 16 armoured vehicles for coastal patrol; and 600 specially trained troops for interdiction, known as Maritime Security Unit, two Special Mission Vessels and 17 Fast Interceptor Boats and others.
