Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea: Vulnerable Trade Routes
In 2020, 95% of all kidnappings at seas took place in the Gulf of Guinea. There, pirates, equipped with firearms, frequently enter ships, capture the crew, and steal cargo. Pirates are becoming more and more advanced in their tactics and the majority of attacks are carried out in hopes of getting ransom. Piracy creates problems for ships that on a daily basis travel through the Gulf to transport oil and other petroleum products.
How the attacks are organised
Most kidnappings happen within 60 nautical miles from the shore. Oil tankers are particularly at risk of being attacked as they carry petroleum products that many pirates hope to steal and later resell. Pirates approach a large ship, and, after taking control over it, move cargo from it onto multiple smaller vessels.
They also take the...