Week 01 – Maritime Security Weekly Snapshot

Gulf of Guinea – Maritime Security Incidents

01 Jan 18: Robbery in Apapa, Lagos.  A Tanker awaiting cargo operations was boarded by four men whilst berthed. The robbers escaped with two jerrycans of grease when the alarm was raised. The shore watchman was found to have abandoned his post. All crew were reported safe.

Indian Ocean – Maritime Security Incidents

07 Jan 18: Saudi Led Coalition Sank Houthi Vessel. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Saudi-led coalition may have sunk a Yemeni patrol boat operated by Houthi rebels near the Yemeni port of Al Hudaydah. 06 Jan 18: Three Suspicious Approaches reported in the Red Sea. Three merchant vessels reported suspicious approaches by three grey, rigid-hulled boats, carrying weapons and at least six persons on board. Suspicious vessels approached to within 200m before changing course. All vessels reported safe.

South East Asia – Maritime Security Incidents

06 Jan 18: Tanker Collision in East China Sea. An oil condensate carrier collided with a grain carrier off of the Yangtze Delta. The tanker remains on fire, with a significant risk of explosion, and the state of the 32 crew is unknown. 21 crew members were rescued from the grain carrier. Multinational efforts to resolve the situation are ongoing. 05 Jan 18: Attempted Boarding of Bulk Carrier near Port Dickson. The crew of a bulk carrier noticed a small speedboat with five persons onboard attempting to fix a hook to the vessel at 02°27’04”N, 101°39’11”E. Vessel crew mustered with firehoses and the suspicious boat moved away. 03 Jan 18: Japanese Coast Guard Enhance Missile Warning System.  In response to the increased threat of North Korean ballistic missile tests, the Japanese Coast Guard has implemented a partially automated alarm system in order to speed up the process of warning vessels in Japanese waters. Previous missile tests have landed in the Japanese exclusive economic zone. 03 Jan 18: Attempted boarding in Samarinda Anchorage. Duty personnel spotted five persons trying to climb a bulk carrier’s anchor chain from a small boat at0°16’22”S, 117°36’11”E. The robbers fled as the alarm was raised.
Click link to Download PDF: Solace Global Maritime Security Snapshot – Week 01 A roundup of maritime security incidents – an easy to read format collating suspicious approaches, vessel attacks, boardings, hijacks and media reports. The week 50 Maritime Security Snapshot was compiled by Solace Global’s in-house intelligence team.