Kuala Lumpur: The International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) latest quarterly report on piracy and armed robbery against ships recorded a total of 66 incidents worldwide in the first three months of 2013. This is down markedly from the 102 incidents reported for the corresponding period in 2012.
Outside of African waters, Indonesia was the country that recorded the highest number of attacks, with 25 incidents. “While these were mainly low level thefts,” IMB stated, “vessels were boarded in 24 of the incidents, highlighting the need for vigilance in these waters.” Vessels were either berthed or anchored in 22 of the boarded incidents, and underway in the remaining two. Vessels anchored at Dumai, Balikpapan and Belawan were targeted six, five and three times respectively. [17/04/13]
