Armed attacks at sea have increased this year, with West Africa accounting for more than 29 of the 66 incidents reported globally.

A report by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) warns that attacks on ships in the Gulf of Guinea are pushing up global levels of piracy.

The most recent pirate attack was recorded on Saturday when gunmen in a speedboat chased and boarded a cargo ship just off the Nigerian coast.

They seized some property and escaped before a Nigerian navy patrol boat arrived.

Such attacks are common in West African waters, where pirates kidnap crews for ransom and steal cargo.

The IMB report notes it is still risky off Somalia, on the other side of the continent.

There has been one reported incident there this year, indicating the pirates there have not lost their capability or intent to attack, despite the presence of multinational naval patrols in the Indian Ocean.

Source: BBC