Sao Tome, Mar 20 (Prensa Latina) Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, where 18 percent of the worldwide attacks took place, is the focus of an international conference in this capital city.
According to “Safety and Shipping Review 2014” report published by the Allianz Global insurance company, the Gulf of Guinea is a emerging hotbed of piracy, with 48 incidents recorded in 2013, representing 18 percent of attacks worldwide.
The document, which refers to statistics from the International Maritime Bureau, shows that of that total, 31 attacks were carried out by Nigerian criminals.
The aforementioned figure includes two hijackings, 13 vessels boarded and 13 vessels fired upon. One crew member was killed and 36 kidnapped.
The reports says that 22 States of Western Africa signed a code of conduct last June (2013) dealing with the prevention of piracy, armed robberies and other “illicit maritime activity”.
According to the conference program, there will be a call to highlight the need for shared regional responsibility, international support to combat maritime crime, build capacity and develop marine resources in West Africa.
Sao Tome√¢’s prime minister Gabriel Costa will open the conference, organized by the British Royal Institute of International Affairs and to be attended by researchers from the British non-governmental organization Chatham House, Interpol representatives, and fisheries experts.
The meeting will also be attended by officers from the regional naval forces within the Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS) and from West Africa (ECOWAS)
Via: http://www.plenglish.com
