Piracy in Southeast Asia and West Africa is increasingly focused on kidnappings and is concentrated on high-value Western targets as tankers and bulk carriers have become the target of choice, according to new analysis from IHS Markit. 

Global piracy shifted away from hijacking and towards kidnap for ransom, according to the consultancy, which tracked nine kidnappings in 2014, 19 in 2015 and then a spike to 44 abductions from January to 30 September this year.

Tankers and bulk carriers are the target of choice, with smaller product chemical and oil tankers the most sought after

Devlin McStay, IHS

 

“Piracy has changed in the past three years,” data analyst at IHS Maritime and Trade, Devlin McStay, said.

“The