Committee GA1: Disarmament and International Security

Issue The Question of Combating Piracy and Maritime Security

in the Gulf of Guinea

Name Adam Zhou

Position Chair

Introduction

The Gulf of Guinea is currently the world’s worst pirating hotspot where there are
currently 72 attacks in the previous year due to such, a jump from last year’s 24. It is
estimated that the cost of these crises has amounted to over 2 billion dollars. Given how
the Gulf of Guinea is the main transit site of trade and economic development in the
area with the supplying of 80% of income of the national budget, this is detrimental,
given 70% losses in its main port. It also has international ramifications as the Gulf
supplies 25% of the United States’ imported oil reserves, and the United Kingdom’s
frequent declarations of risk of their goods, amounting up to 10.2 billion dollars. In
regards to the former, this causes the price of oil to rise drastically, while the latter
involves the increased, yet unnecessary financial investment into ship security.
Definition of Key Terms

Term Definition

Piracy “the practice of attacking and robbing

ships at sea” - Google Dictionary

Gulf of Guinea Located at West Africa’s South Atlantic

Coast. Rivers that drain into the gulf are
the Nile and the Volta. The Bight of Benin
and Bonny are also situated in such. -
Collins Dictionary

Background Information

Even with the multitude of incidences where piracy has been identified, both in regards
to piracy at sea and armed robbery, where the latter involves the majority case, many
incidences have not been reported, estimated up to 50%. After thorough analysis, it has
been identified that piracy takes place only at the high seas, at least 12 nautical miles
away from shore, while armed robbery is identified within territorial seas, and thus the
responsibility of a given member state. Other forms of disasters include oil bunkering,
hostage-taking, human and drug trafficking, terrorism, and corruption.

This crisis is relevant not only for its safety and ethical issues, but also for its location as
an economically strategic trading site. Oil and gas in the region are extremely prolific,
and the recent discovery of offshore hydrocarbon fields imply a large expanse in this
energy industry. Many investors, including China, the United States, and the United
Kingdom, recognize this and have expressed dismay in how prices have increased for
oil and how the lack of security leads to many ramifications. This fares even more
detrimental for the regional countries on the coast who depend on oil for their livelihood
and economic development.

Current initiatives are currently geared towards short-term, immediate benefits,

especially since the preparedness and technological capacities of these African nations
are limited. Joint marine patrols, though now reinforced with international donors, the
likes of which include Denmark and other European Union nations, have not made
substantial solutions. They aim to bring together the private sectors, as well as public,
regional, and international stakeholders to protect both oil and gas infrastructure, and
coordinate ocean route protection. Regarding policies, the definition of piracy needs to
be strengthened, where in many situations, these criminals can escape with little or
even no punishment.
Major Countries and Organisations Involved
Surrounding countries where piracy is rampant include:
- Benin
- Togo
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Ghana
- Nigeria
- Democratic People’s Republic of Congo
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- Specialized component of the United Nations responsible for the regulation of
shipping
Integrated Solutions to Target the Crisis:
- Gulf of Guinea Inter-Regional Network (GoGIN)
- Critical Maritime Routes Monitoring, Support and Evaluation Mechanism
(CRIMSON)
- Seaport Cooperation Project (SEACOP)
- CRIMJUST (2016-2020)
- Support Programme to the Maritime Security Strategy in Central Africa
(PASSMAR)
- Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security (SWAIMS)
Timeline of Events

Date of Event Description of Event

March 3, 2010 A Chinese fishing vessel was hijacked in the

Bakassi Peninsula, with 7 fishermen being
abducted and held for ransom.

August 3, 2011 Two Panamanian-flagged tankers were

attacked off Benin's coast. However, the
ships were not taken.

September 4, 2012 The MT Abu Dhabi Star, of Singapore, was

hijacked on the coast of Lagos, Nigeria.
Severe damage was caused, including the
siphoning of gas from the tanker.

January 16, 2013 The ITRI, managed by Ivory Coast, and

flagged by Panama, was hijacked while
transferring 5000 tons of oil.

September 22, 2018 Swiss operated MV Glarus, which was

transporting wheat, was pirated. 12 out of 19
people in the ship were taken hostage.
Solutions (Past and Possible)
Collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and
Safety Agency was made in 2010 to solve this crisis. They enforced antipiracy patrols
and use of technology including electronic surveillance kits. However, it only shifted
piracy towards regions other than Nigeria.

Thus, possible solutions would involve a wider scope of such patrolling. Collaboration
between member states is of utmost importance. Enforcing strategies within
Interregional Coordination Centre (ICC) to share and coordinate information towards the
Regional Centre for Maritime Security of West Africa (CRESMAO), and the Regional
Centre for Maritime Security of Central Africa (CRESMAC) is an example of proposed
projects. Financing from Higher Income Countries are also imperative (see
organizations in “Major Countries and Organizations Involved” for examples).

Resources for further Reading

All UN documents available ​here

Bibliography
“EU Maritime Security Factsheet: The Gulf of Guinea.” EEAS,
eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/52490/eu-maritime-securi
ty-factsheet-gulf-guinea_en.
Osinowo, Adeniyi Adejimi. "Maritime Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea." Transnational
Organized Crime in West Africa (2013): 45-52. Africa Center for Strategic
Studies, Feb. 2015. Web. 30 Aug. 2016.
<​http://africacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ASB30EN-Combating-Piracy
-in-the-Gulf-of-Guinea.pdf>.
“The Gulf of Guinea Is Now the World's Worst Piracy Hotspot.” The Economist, The
Economist Newspaper, 29 June 2019,
www.economist.com/international/2019/06/29/the-gulf-of-guinea-is-now-the-world
s-worst-piracy-hotspot.