Stowaway cases cost Nigeria, Gulf of Guinea region $6m, says report

Business a.m.

Africa Risk Compliance Limited, a firm specialising in risk compliance solutions, has reported that Nigeria and other countries within the Gulf of Guinea region suffered a $5.9 million loss from 143 stowaway cases in 2023.

The firm discussed the increasing prevalence and financial consequences of stowaway incidents in the Gulf of Guinea region during a recent maritime security conference organised by the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria and the alumni of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Lagos.

During the conference, ARC intelligence analyst Vanessa Hayford presented a comprehensive report that highlighted the emerging challenges and monetary losses associated with stowaways in the region, with Nigeria among the countries most adversely affected.

Stowaways are individuals who board a vessel without the knowledge or authorisation of the ship’s captain or other responsible personnel. By hiding within the ship’s structure or cargo, stowaways seek to evade detection until after the vessel has departed. Upon discovery, their presence can trigger significant logistical problems, delays, and financial repercussions for shipping companies and ship operators, as they must be transported back to their countries of origin or, in some cases, provided with medical care.

In her presentation, Hayford reported that in 2021/2022, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) recorded 345 stowaway incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, involving a total of 892 individuals.

According to Hayford, these incidents cost the maritime industry an estimated $5.9 million, which breaks down to an average of $17,100 per incident and $6,600 per stowaway.

The ARC intelligence analyst, stressed that the data clearly reflects the significant financial burden that stowaway incidents have on the shipping industry.

“In 2021, the Gulf of Guinea reported 31 stowaway cases, involving 88 individuals. This number slightly decreased in 2022, with 25 incidents and 71 stowaways.

“However, 2023 saw a sharp increase, with 35 incidents involving 143 stowaways. This rise in cases underscores a significant escalation in the challenge of managing stowaway issues in the region,” she said.

Hayford noted that preliminary data for the current year, 2024, indicated a potential improvement in the situation, as only 14 stowaway cases involving 60 individuals had been reported to date.

Hayford also pointed out that of these 14 cases, nine were detected prior to the vessels’ departure, suggesting an increase in the effectiveness of ports and vessels in the Gulf of Guinea region in identifying stowaways before they board the ships.

She noted further that while the preliminary data points to some progress in addressing the stowaway problem in the Gulf of Guinea, it is crucial to bear in mind that this data may not represent the full scope of the issue. She added that the reported cases of stowaways likely do not capture the full extent of the problem, as many incidents may go unreported.