Situation and recent threat reports
The number of hijackings of vessels, attacks and attempted boardings in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) remains high and continues to be of great concern to the maritime industry. During January and February 2013 the GoG in general and Nigeria in particular experienced a significant increase in the number of reported piracy attacks. Several of the attacks have been kidnap for ransom incidents and violent robberies, and product tankers are reportedly still the most targeted ship type in the GoG. At present, hijackings aiming at cargo theft appear to have become less common in the region.
Use of Security Personnel
It is understood that personnel working for private maritime security companies (PMSCs) are not permitted by law to be armed within the territorial waters of the states within the GoG. Only the military forces of the state in question can and do offer their services as armed security guards to owners and operators. Several PMSCs can provide unarmed advisers, who serve as a link between the vessel and the local military guards. Such services are usually offered on the form of a GUARDCON contract, amended to take into account the fact that the armed security is provided by local military forces. Gard is aware of one PMSC whose liability insurance cover has been extended to include armed security guards provided by military forces in Nigeria, Togo and Benin.
See attached file: Gard Alert Piracy in the Gulf of guinea An update.pdf
几内亚湾海盗 – 更新
海盗形势及近期威胁报告
船舶在几内亚湾遭劫持、袭击和企图登船事件的数量居高不下，航运界继续高度关注该地区海盗形势的发展。2013年1,2月间，几内亚湾，尤其是尼日利亚报告的海盗袭击事件数量显著上升。多起袭击为绑架赎金事件和暴力抢劫。据报道，成品油轮仍是几内亚湾海盗最主要的目标船型。目前，货物劫持在该地区已不常见。
使用保安人员
私人海上安保公司的人员在几内亚湾国家领海配备武装是不合法的。只有几内亚湾国家军事部队可以向船东和营运人提供武装保安服务。一些私人海上安保公司可以提供非武装顾问服务，成为船舶和当地军事保安的联系人。这些服务通常以GUARDCON合同的形式提供，根据实际情况做出修改，即武装安保由当地军事部队提供。Gard协会注意到有一家私人海上安保公司已经将其责任保险的范围延伸到由尼日利亚、多哥和贝宁军事部队提供的武装保安。
详细信息请参阅附件。
