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INTERNATIONAL PIRACY BY REGION

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

INTERNATIONAL PIRACY BY REGION

Piracy by Region: Asia (monthly data)

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Piracy by Region: Asia (monthly data). If you are a user with a disability and cannot view this image, please call 800-853-1351 or email answers@bts.gov for further assistance.

Piracy by Region: Africa (monthly data)

Piracy by Region: Africa (monthly data). If you are a user with a disability and cannot view this image, please call 800-853-1351 or email answers@bts.gov for further assistance.

NOTE: Data for 2001 is preliminary.

These regions are most affected by acts of piracy.

Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships (monthly incidents) Dec-00 Dec-01
South China Sea     14      7
Percentage change from previous year  40.00 -50.00
Malacca Strait     16      2
Percentage change from previous year 700.00 -87.50
Indian Ocean      7      6
Percentage change from previous year -53.33 -14.29
West Africa      2      7
Percentage change from previous year -50.00 250.00
East Africa      4      1
Percentage change from previous year NA -75.00

NOTE: Percentage changes may not be available (NA) because there were no incidents during the same month of the previous year. Data for 2001 is preliminary.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) collects data from the International Maritime Bureau, the Baltic and International Maritime Council, the International Federation of Shippers, and maritime agencies of various countries. IMO data do not include piracy committed by government officials. Data also do not include incidents related directly to Taiwan.

Malacca Strait: The narrow body of water connecting the Indian Ocean with the Gulf of Thailand, South China Sea, and Pacific Ocean. The Malacca Strait is bordered by Malaysia and Singapore on the northeastern shore and by Indonesia on the southwestern shore. Includes the Singapore Strait.
South China Sea: For the purposes of this data, the South China Sea includes all Chinese, Indonesian, Filipino, and Malaysian coastal waters not included in the Malacca Strait. The Pacific Ocean is not included.
Indian Ocean: The Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.
West Africa: Includes all African costal waters from the Strait of Gibraltar to Cape Horn.
East Africa: Includes all African coastal waters from Cape Horn to the Red Sea.

SOURCE: United Nations International Maritime Organization, Monthly Circulars and Annual Reports 1995-2001, available at http://www.imo.org.