There is at least one attack per week on a ship operating in the region, but up to two thirds of attacks are believed to go unreported, the
UK Chamber of Shippingsays.
In 2013, 60% of attacks on shipping in the area took place in Nigerian territorial waters and there is a trend for increasing violence within attacks.
Pirates and lawlessness off the coast of Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea is putting at risk £6.3bn of trade, including 12% of the UK’s oil imports.
A new report by the
UK Chamber of Shippingwarns: “The UK economy is heavily exposed to lawlessness off the coast of Nigeria.”
Chamberchief executive Guy Platten said:
“Most people are aware of pirate activity off Somalia, but lawlessness in the Gulf of Guinea is a major threat to our seafarers, the UK’s energy and trade security, and to the economic development of the region.
“Nigeria and other states in the region have known for 30 years that piracy was a problem, but too little has been done and enough is enough.”
Around 12% of the UK’s crude oil is imported from Nigeria, and by 2050 the region will hold 25% of the world’s oil production. Around 5,000 vessels, of all nationalities, call at Nigerian ports every year. Nigeria’s own statistics show that 300,000 barrels of oil are stolen every day.
The
reportargues that having made the link to economic development, the British government needs to do more to build maritime governance in the region, using UK-based expertise to help train local law enforcement judicial services and making sure criminals are brought to justice.
“The lack of security in the region costs Nigeria £7.2bn a year in oil theft alone, which shows criminal activity is severely hampering the region’s potential for prosperity,” Platten said.
“Put simply, these countries will remain poor until their maritime security issues are tackled.
“Ghana and Togo have recently acknowledged the economic benefits of improved maritime security, and have seen additional economic activity result from improvements they have put in place.
“Their maritime security has improved by investing in additional security patrols, and are now seen as more secure economies for maritime trade. Nigeria, however, lags behind and has done very little – and it is costing them and us dear.
“This
reporthighlights the UK’s global leadership in combating poor maritime security, but it is clear that if our seafarers, and the cargo they help move, are to be protected, more needs to be done at a global level.”
The
UK Chamber of Shippingis the trade association for the UK shipping industry. With around 140 members from across the maritime sector, the
UK Chamberrepresents over 925 ships of about 30 million gross tons.