A recent study published in the Journal of Eta Maritime Science has shed light on the troubling issue of maritime piracy, particularly during the years 2015 to 2022 and the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 80 percent of global trade transported by sea, the implications of piracy are significant for international shipping and trade sectors.
Lead author Nur Jale Ece, from Mersin University Faculty of Maritime in Türkiye, conducted a comprehensive analysis to understand the trends and patterns of piracy attacks during this period. The findings reveal that 2015 was the peak year for piracy incidents, with a notable concentration of attacks occurring in the months of March, April, and May. Most of these attacks were reported between midnight and 4 a.m., highlighting a specific vulnerability window for maritime operations.
Geographically, South East Asia emerged as the hotspot for piracy, with Marshall Islands-flagged vessels being the most frequently targeted. Ece noted, “The majority of attacks involved boarding ships, which poses a direct threat to crew safety and cargo security.” This underscores the need for enhanced security measures and vigilance in these high-risk areas.
The study also examined the statistical relationships between piracy incidents and various factors, finding weak correlations between the frequency of attacks and the months or regions. This suggests that while certain patterns exist, the unpredictability of piracy remains a challenge for maritime security.
For the shipping and logistics sectors, these insights present both risks and opportunities. Companies engaged in maritime trade may need to invest in better security protocols and training for crews to mitigate the risks of piracy. Additionally, there is a growing market for maritime security services, including surveillance technologies and risk assessment consulting, which can help shipping companies navigate these threats.
As the maritime industry continues to recover from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the dynamics of piracy is crucial for safeguarding trade routes and ensuring the safety of vessels and crews. Ece’s research serves as a timely reminder of the ongoing challenges facing maritime trade, emphasizing the importance of robust security measures in maintaining the integrity and reliability of global shipping networks.
