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 - 1999)

Tanzania Morocco Ghana Nigeria Liberia Algeria DR Congo Ethiopia Guinea Cameroon

There has been little change in the long-term trends in stowaway movements over the past two years, with Tanzania, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia remaining the five most dangerous areas in the world. Last year the Tanzanian Government increased fines and prison sentences for deported Tanzanian Nationals, but it has had little effect on the number of illegals departing the country. Last years outbreaks of violence in Sierra Leone, and more recently in Nigeria, have caused growing unrest in West Africa. The west and east coasts of Africa are still extremely dangerous stowaway hotspots. 

Short-Term

(January 2000 - December 2000)

Morocco Iraq Tanzania Ghana Nigeria DR Congo Romania Senegal Turkey Bulgaria

Although December saw the usual amount of stowaway activity, there was no movement in the table. The countries above represent the top ten trouble spots for stowaways in the millennium year.

As can be seen, illegal emigration from perennial hotspots such as Morocco, Tanzania, Ghana and other African states remain some of the biggest threats to the shipping community, whilst Eastern Europe and parts of the Middle East are now also presenting significant problems.