Reduction of Maritime Piracy in West Africa: Applying Routine Activities and Dynamic Operational Design Planning and Assessments Approach

• In Event: Situational crime prevention

Abstract

Previous research in 2014 highlighted that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Maritime Bureau (IMB) attributed reduction of maritime piracy in East Africa from 2009 to 2014 to four major factors. IMB identified increased maritime patrolling and actions toward suspected skiffs, best maritime practices implementation, armed guards on board ships, and greater stability in Somalia facilitating expanded land based anti-piracy operations. An additional factor is discussed involving security and armed forces of the international community providing capability and capacity building for those developing nations facing this crime phenomenon. These factors taken together represent a successful effort in deterring pirates and protecting transiting vessels from becoming victims of successful pirate attacks and hijackings. The present research examines the incidence of maritime piracy reported in West Africa, which was at its peak in 2020, and dropped significantly by 2024, and provides an explanation of these maritime crime reductions using planning and assessing tools adapted from criminology and military disciplines. This crime prevention approach creates a framework that combines the key elements of Routine Activities (i.e., crime is committed when there are motivated offenders, suitable targets and absence of capable guardians) with Dynamic Operational Design Planning and Assessments Approach (DODPAA). Both quantitative and qualitative data are analyzed to construct sound linkages between actions on the part of the ship crews, the shipping industry, maritime and land based authorities, and the international community in bringing about successful reductions of maritime piracy and sea robbery. The approach presents an assessment of past maritime piracy reductions in Africa, as well as planning and assessing strategies, methods and actions for future reduction campaigns. This outcomes-based approach to criminal justice may also be useful in designing strategies, methods, and actions to combat other transnational organized criminal activities found in Africa, as well as in other geographic areas.

Author

• Vincent Chris Figliomeni, F.F. Social Science Research Center