Piracy threat off West Africa remains
Anti-piracy watchdog Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) released its annual report on the state of global maritime security recently, highlighting trends in pirate activities around the world during 2016.
The organisation had alarming news for seafarers traveling in West African waters, where limited maritime capacities remain a challenge for local law enforcement agencies seeking to act effectively against crime at sea. The number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery recorded in West African waters rose 76% in 2016 compared with the year before.
In an effort to improve maritime security in the region, US-led forces have engaged in a prolonged
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