1. FROM EAST TO WEST:FROM EAST TO WEST:
AFRICAN COASTALAFRICAN COASTAL
PIRACYPIRACY
20132013
Odysseas PampakasOdysseas Pampakas
PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED IN PARTPROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED IN PART
REQUIREMENT OFREQUIREMENT OF
THE BSc in MARITIME STUDIESTHE BSc in MARITIME STUDIES
OFOF
THE FREDERICK UNIVERSITY, CYPRUSTHE FREDERICK UNIVERSITY, CYPRUS

2. IntroductionIntroduction
► Aims of the researchAims of the research
 Piracy investigation in East & West AfricaPiracy investigation in East & West Africa
 Outline the types of threats that may be encountered inOutline the types of threats that may be encountered in
the two areasthe two areas
 Description of the character of these criminal actsDescription of the character of these criminal acts
 Practical ways to mitigate the threatPractical ways to mitigate the threat
 Expert opinion – qualitative info provided by reportsExpert opinion – qualitative info provided by reports

3. MethodologyMethodology
► Extensive literature reviewExtensive literature review
► Comparative view of piracy between East & West AfricaComparative view of piracy between East & West Africa
► Detail the differences in the characteristics and the attackDetail the differences in the characteristics and the attack
methods used in each region.methods used in each region.
► Focus on the different approaches used by theFocus on the different approaches used by the
governments in the two regions and to how internationalgovernments in the two regions and to how international
states are trying to combat piracy.states are trying to combat piracy.

4. The ThreatThe Threat ContinuesContinues
Incidents in the Indian Ocean dropped in 2013 to almost nothing andIncidents in the Indian Ocean dropped in 2013 to almost nothing and
Somali piracy fell to its lowest levels since 2006. Attention is nowSomali piracy fell to its lowest levels since 2006. Attention is now
focused on violent piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Westfocused on violent piracy and armed robbery off the coast of West
Africa, where there has been an increase in hijackings and ExtendedAfrica, where there has been an increase in hijackings and Extended
Duration Robberies, involving attacks on vessels and the theft of oilDuration Robberies, involving attacks on vessels and the theft of oil
cargoes.cargoes.
There are a lot of differences between maritime insecurity of Africa'sThere are a lot of differences between maritime insecurity of Africa's
east and west coasts, but Gulf of Guinea's littoral states can draweast and west coasts, but Gulf of Guinea's littoral states can draw
valuable lessons from the experience of combating Somali piracy tovaluable lessons from the experience of combating Somali piracy to
help shape their responses to West Africa's maritime threats.help shape their responses to West Africa's maritime threats.

5. Comparing Attack NumbersComparing Attack Numbers
► Somali related incidents 2013: 13 reported incidents including 2Somali related incidents 2013: 13 reported incidents including 2
hijacking.hijacking.
► Nigeria related incidents 2013: 30 reported incidents including 2Nigeria related incidents 2013: 30 reported incidents including 2
hijacking.hijacking.

6. ► Tabulated Data for Horn of Africa Activity:Tabulated Data for Horn of Africa Activity:
• Tabulated Data for Gulf of Guinea Activity:
Last update 25 November 2013

7. Types of attacksTypes of attacks
► Somalia's piracy is associated with kidnap and ransom thatSomalia's piracy is associated with kidnap and ransom that
could stretch for months or even years.could stretch for months or even years.
► Pirates in the Gulf of Guinea favor to steal cargo, especiallyPirates in the Gulf of Guinea favor to steal cargo, especially
refined oil products like gasoline and diesel that can berefined oil products like gasoline and diesel that can be
sold elsewhere.sold elsewhere.
► The pirates see little value in the crew and the level ofThe pirates see little value in the crew and the level of
violence is on the increase and the tactics employedviolence is on the increase and the tactics employed
against Somali pirates are no longer applicable to this newagainst Somali pirates are no longer applicable to this new
situation in West Africa.situation in West Africa.
► In the beginning there was a difference in the way theIn the beginning there was a difference in the way the
pirates operate in Nigeria and also a difference in theirpirates operate in Nigeria and also a difference in their
choice of targets, but this year, we are witnessing anchoice of targets, but this year, we are witnessing an
increase in taking hostages.increase in taking hostages.

8. Important DifferencesImportant Differences
► Piracy in Nigeria is mainly economically driven.Piracy in Nigeria is mainly economically driven.
► Every moving part of the vessel can be sold.Every moving part of the vessel can be sold.
► There is no infrastructure in place to handle theThere is no infrastructure in place to handle the
negotiations and financial transfers involved in a large longnegotiations and financial transfers involved in a large long
term hostage negotiations and payments.term hostage negotiations and payments.
► The average life span of an incident involving hostages andThe average life span of an incident involving hostages and
Nigerian pirates is usually one to four weeks.Nigerian pirates is usually one to four weeks.
► Somalia pirates take hostages in a form of investment withSomalia pirates take hostages in a form of investment with
payment expected in the future and time scales arepayment expected in the future and time scales are
dramatically longer than Nigeria’s piracy.dramatically longer than Nigeria’s piracy.
► The average ransom payment usually takes between 4The average ransom payment usually takes between 4
months to 2 years in Somalia.months to 2 years in Somalia.

9. Piracy RansomPiracy Ransom
&& Global EconomyGlobal Economy
► Between 2005 and 2013, $340 million to $415 million has been paid inBetween 2005 and 2013, $340 million to $415 million has been paid in
ransom to Somalia pirates and those aren't the only costs involvedransom to Somalia pirates and those aren't the only costs involved
since the danger has driven up insurance premiums for ships travellingsince the danger has driven up insurance premiums for ships travelling
around the Horn of Africa, and sailors most times are paid twice theiraround the Horn of Africa, and sailors most times are paid twice their
usual wages to work these routes. Some cargo ships have chosen tousual wages to work these routes. Some cargo ships have chosen to
hire expensive escort ships, which can cost $20,000 a day. Somehire expensive escort ships, which can cost $20,000 a day. Some
other ships may take a long detour to avoid the risks of sailing throughother ships may take a long detour to avoid the risks of sailing through
these waters, which also drives up costs.these waters, which also drives up costs.
► The average ransom for Nigerian hostage-takers was previously in theThe average ransom for Nigerian hostage-takers was previously in the
$50,000-$100,000 range and although it was possible that previous$50,000-$100,000 range and although it was possible that previous
payouts topped $1m, such sums had not been made public, but thepayouts topped $1m, such sums had not been made public, but the
Nigerian pirates received a $2m ransom in November to release theNigerian pirates received a $2m ransom in November to release the
two American sailors that they were holding security experts said thattwo American sailors that they were holding security experts said that
ransom payout will increase in West Africa attacks.ransom payout will increase in West Africa attacks.

10. Maritime piracy forecast forMaritime piracy forecast for
20142014
Looking ahead to 2014, there are reasons for some pessimism when itLooking ahead to 2014, there are reasons for some pessimism when it
comes to predicting the future threat of piracy.comes to predicting the future threat of piracy.
► The problem of piracy off the coast of Somalia has been temporarilyThe problem of piracy off the coast of Somalia has been temporarily
solved by a combination of measures. However, it should besolved by a combination of measures. However, it should be
understood that Somali piracy cannot be consigned to history since theunderstood that Somali piracy cannot be consigned to history since the
most factors that encouraged its initial development remain in place.most factors that encouraged its initial development remain in place.
Somalia’s pirates could return to their attacks at any time.Somalia’s pirates could return to their attacks at any time.
► In Nigeria things are likely to get worse despite the introduction of newIn Nigeria things are likely to get worse despite the introduction of new
maritime security capabilities. Security in anchorages may be improvedmaritime security capabilities. Security in anchorages may be improved
in 2014 but pirates will still have the wider freedom of non-territorialin 2014 but pirates will still have the wider freedom of non-territorial
waters to find their target.waters to find their target.

11. ConclusionConclusion
► Maritime crime continues to thrive in the Gulf of Guinea at a timeMaritime crime continues to thrive in the Gulf of Guinea at a time
when it is on the decline in the High Risk Area of the Horn of Africawhen it is on the decline in the High Risk Area of the Horn of Africa
and Indian Ocean.and Indian Ocean.
► Some elements of the medicine that has resulted in success againstSome elements of the medicine that has resulted in success against
Somalia pirates are just not available as mitigation measures in theSomalia pirates are just not available as mitigation measures in the
Gulf of Guinea.Gulf of Guinea.
► Maritime threats in West Africa exist as a component ofMaritime threats in West Africa exist as a component of
transnational crime and like Somalia, have an impact far beyond thetransnational crime and like Somalia, have an impact far beyond the
immediate region.immediate region.
► While the piracy problem has migrated west and with the piratesWhile the piracy problem has migrated west and with the pirates
operating in the Gulf of Guinea developing a fearsome reputation foroperating in the Gulf of Guinea developing a fearsome reputation for
violence, the greatest obstacle in solving the problem in the Gulf ofviolence, the greatest obstacle in solving the problem in the Gulf of
Guinea has been the lack of interest.Guinea has been the lack of interest.
► The most effective solution is therefore international andThe most effective solution is therefore international and
regional cooperation.regional cooperation.