STOWAWAY PROBLEM AREAS

The first chart was produced using information that has been collected over the past ten years, and highlights the long-term trends in stowaway nationalities according to Robmarine data. The second chart however, is based on information gained since the beginning of 2000, and therefore represents this years high-risk areas. Beside each chart is a list of countries in order of risk with icons which highlight changes in stowaway numbers ( - increase, - decrease, - constant).

Long-Term

(1989 - 2000)

Tanzania Morocco Ghana Nigeria Liberia Algeria DR Congo Ethiopia Guinea Cameroon

Long term stowaway trends show little change and despite the recent influx of illegals from eastern Europe and the orient, Africa remains the largest source of stowaway activity. Although EU countries are moving in an attempt to close down the various illegal immigrant routes into the continent, the overall numbers of stowaways seeking a new life in the west is increasing. Continued troubles in Africa and other parts of the world are contributing to this exodus.

Short-Term

(January - December 2001)

Tanzania Iraq DR Congo Morocco Sierra Leone Nigeria Turkey Tunisia Pakistan Ivory Coast

2001 finished with little further movement in the table. Tunisia was the only newcomer to the top ten and the places near the top remained unchanged.

Comparing the 2001 statistics with those from the Long Term map, it is clear that the main stowaway threat remains from Central and Western Africa. However this year's table does show that problems of illegal emigration are increasing in the Middle East and Asia.

To see figures for 2000 please click here.