The Panama Canal said in mid-March that it and the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) have entered into a cyber cooperation arrangement aimed at reinforcing digital security and ensuring the operational continuity of critical infrastructure in the face of emerging cyber threats.
“This arrangement sets a collaborative framework to enhance capabilities in key areas such as cybersecurity training, supply chain security, information sharing and technical assistance,” the Panama Canal Authority said in a Feb. 20 announcement.
USSOUTHCOM, which is responsible for security operations across a region encompassing 31 countries, said that it plans to collaborate with the Panama Canal to optimize joint cybersecurity efforts.
“This arrangement,” the Panama Canal Authority said, “facilitates the exchange of knowledge and best practices, building on a longstanding history of cooperation between the two entities.”
The initiative doesn’t replace existing agreements, but instead complements them, leaving room for future alliances with other organizations in this vital field, the Authority said.
Additionally, this effort strengthens an existing collaboration between the Panama Canal and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) that was signed in January 2022.
In other news, the Panama Canal recently reaffirmed its position as a key hub for international maritime trade with the transit of the Hoegh Aurora, the world’s largest car carrier, operated by Norway-based shipping company Höegh Autoliners.
The Hoegh Aurora measures 199.9 meters in length (656 feet) and 37.5 meters (123 feet) in beam, with a cargo capacity of 9,100 CEU (Car Equivalent Units).
Built in 2024 and registered under the Norwegian flag, the vessel began her journey in Asia with an initial stop in China, followed by South Korea, and Japan before continuing to later destinations in Jamaica, Mexico and the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Höegh Autoliners developed the Aurora-class vessels as part of its efforts to transition from conventional fuels to more sustainable alternatives.
The Hoegh Aurora surpasses the previous record holder for the largest car carrier to transit the canal, the Hoegh Target, which has a capacity of 8,500 vehicles and made her inaugural transit in 2016.
In mid-February, Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales and Vice President of Operations Boris Moreno presented a recognition to the Hoegh Aurora in honor of her inaugural transit through the canal.
“This transit reaffirms the efficiency and strength of the interoceanic route as a key route for global trade, highlighting the dedication and commitment of its workforce,” Vásquez Morales stated.
International Maritime Piracy Dropped Last Year, but Crew Safety Remains Risky: Report
The International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reports a decline in global maritime incidents and piracy in 2024, but is urging continued caution as crew safety remains at risk.
The IMB’s annual Piracy and Armed Robbery Report, the results of which were released in January, recorded 116 incidents against ships in 2024, compared to 120 in 2023 and 115 in 2022.
It revealed that 94 vessels were boarded, 13 attempted attacks, six vessels hijacked and three fired upon.
While the number of reported incidents in 2024 was similar to those reported in 2023 and 2022, IMB urged caution to promote crew safety given an increase in the number of crew taken hostage or kidnapped – from 126 taken hostage in 2024 compared to 73 in 2023 and 41 in 2022.
Twelve crew were reported kidnapped, compared to 14 in 2023 and two in 2022. Another 12 crew were threatened and one injured in 2024.
The use of weapons also continues to rise, according to the report. In 2024, guns were reported in 26 incidents compared to 15 in 2023. Knives were reported in 39 incidents in 2024, compared to 42 incidents in 2023.
“While we welcome the reduction of reported incidents, the ongoing threats to crew safety remain a significant concern. Safeguarding routes and ensuring the security of seafarers, who are essential to maintaining global commerce, is vital,” ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said.
“Every effort must be made to protect lives at sea while ensuring the seamless flow of goods through international supply chains,” he continued. “This requires a collaborative effort, with continued regional and international naval presence being crucial to this endeavor.”
Crew Safety Risk in Gulf of Guinea
Activity remains relatively lower in the Gulf of Guinea with 18 incidents reported in 2024, compared to 22 in 2023, 19 in 2022, 35 in 2021 and 81 in 2020. However, crew members continue to be at risk, data show, with the region accounting for all 12 kidnapped crew and 23 % of the total number of crew taken hostage in 2024.
In East Africa, at least eight incidents were reported, including the hijacking of two fishing vessels and a bulk carrier in the first half of 2024.
“Despite the restrained activity, there is no room for complacency as ongoing threats to crew safety highlight the importance of continued caution,” IMB Director Michael Howlett said. “Masters and vessel operators are strongly encouraged to strictly adhere to all recommendations in the Best Management Practices (guidance) while transiting the Gulf of Guinea and waters off East Africa.”
Rise in Weapons, Incidents in Southeast Asian Waters
The annual report shows that incidents in the Singapore Straits continue to rise with 43 occurrences in 2024 compared to 37 in 2023 and 38 in 2022. The report states that 93% of vessels targeted were boarded and 11 large vessels over 100,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT) were targeted in the strategically important seaway.
Harm to crew continued, with 13 taken hostage, five threatened and one injured during the incidents, data show. While considered low-level opportunistic crimes, the use of guns and knives increased to eight and 19 in 2024 respectively, compared to three and 15 in 2023.
Most incidents were reported during the hours of darkness and while vessels were underway.
The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) has also expressed concern of late reports as well as under reporting, by vessels being boarded in the waters.
“The increase in use of weapons and the late and under reporting by vessels are areas of concern. We continue to urge vigilance and strongly encourage the timely reporting of all incidents, as the optimal way of providing a clearer understanding of the risks and safety measures to take,” Howlett said.
A year-on-year increase in reported incidents has been observed in the Indonesian archipelago, up from 10 in 2022 and 18 in 2023 to 22 in 2024. While 20 incidents remain under the definition of armed robbery, two fall under the definition of piracy.
In the two cases, crew members were taken hostage for the duration of the incidents. Overall, 31 crew were taken hostage and one threatened. Knives were reported in 10 incidents and guns in three.
The highest number of incidents in a decade was reported at anchorages in Bangladesh. IMB recorded 14 incidents in 2024, of which 13 were onboard ships anchored at Chattogram and one at Mongla anchorage.
Two crew were taken hostage and a further three threatened. Knives were reported in seven incidents.
IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre, which was founded in 1991, serves as a 24-hour point of contact to report crimes of piracy and lend support to ships under threat.
Quick reactions and a focus on coordinating with response agencies, sending out warning broadcasts and email alerts to ships can help bolster security on the high seas, the organization has said.
The data gathered by the Centre can also provide insights into the nature and state of modern piracy.
IMB has encouraged shipmasters and owners to report all actual, attempted and suspected global piracy and armed robbery incidents to the Piracy Reporting Centre as a first step to ensuring adequate resources are allocated by authorities to tackle maritime piracy.
Copies of the 2024 Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships can be requested at https://icc-ccs.org/request-piracy-report/.