Violence off the southern Philippines coast, a rise in kidnappings in the Gulf of Guinea and the first Somali hijacking in five years are among major concerns raised in the latest International Maritime Bureau (IMB) piracy report.

Pirates and armed robbers attacked 43 ships and captured 58 seafarers in the first quarter of this year, a slight rise on the corresponding period last year.

Of the 27 seafarers kidnapped for ransom, 63% were in the Gulf of Guinea, with 17 taken near Nigeria, up from 14 last year.

Three vessels – a general cargo ship, a tanker and a bulk carrier – were targeted off Nigeria’s Bayelsa Coast, while many other attacks are believed to go unreported.

IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan calls the Gulf of Guinea “a major area of concern”.

“The IMB has worked closely with the response agencies in the region, including the Nigerian Navy, which has provided valuable support, but more needs to be done to crack down on the area’s armed gangs,” Mr Mukundan said.

He urged vessels to report all incidents so the true level of piracy activity can be assessed.

In the southern Philippines, nine ships reported attacks in the first quarter, compared with just two in the corresponding period last year.

A general cargo vessel was attacked, resulting in the death of two crew members, while five were kidnapped for ransom. Kidnappers took five more people in attacks on a trawler and a tug.

The IMB suspects militant activity may be driving the escalating violence, with armed groups using speedboats to target slow-moving, low vessels.

Off the coast of Somalia, pirates hijacked a small tanker and a traditional dhow, taking 28 crew hostage and releasing them shortly after.

The hijacked vessels were not following the Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia-Based Piracy.