Attacks at sea aren’t all linked to piracy. Why it’s important to unpick what’s what

Last year a record 130 crew members were kidnapped in 22 separate incidents, according to the International Maritime Bureau. The cluster of attacks in November and December has once again led to alarming headlines about the Gulf of Guinea being the world’s piracy hotspot. But other crimes at sea also need attention: smuggling of weapons, fuel, cigarettes, agricultural goods, pharmaceuticals (real and fake) amongst other crime.