Week 38 – Maritime Security Weekly Snapshot
Indian Ocean HRA – Maritime Security Incidents
11 September 18: US and UK Navies Conduct Countermine Exercises. The exercise will take place off Djibouti, with the focus on the key choke point of the Bab el Mandeb strait. 15 September 18: Saudis Destroy Houthi Missiles Fired at Jizan Province. The missile was reported to be targeting Jizan Industrial City, however other reports suggest the target to be the Saudi Aramco oil facility. Houthi missiles are regularly reported to be fired across the border in retaliation to the ongoing airstrikes by coalition forces in Yemen. 18 September 18: 18 Fishermen Killed by Coalition Forces Off Al Khoukha, Yemen. Major media have reported a frigate attacked a fishing boat off the port of Al Khouka, killing all on board. The accusation has been denied by coalition forces. Al Khoukha currently remains under UAE military control.Gulf of Guinea – Maritime Security Incidents
8 September 18: LATE REPORT – Clash Between Security Forces and Local Armed Group, Bonny River. On routine patrol along the Isaka/Okrika waterways, State Marine Police patrol intercepted and exchanged gunshots with unidentified armed men in a speedboat. According to police, two pirates were killed and two others arrested. Their weapons and ammunition were also seized. 17 September 18: MV Boarded in Conakry Anchorage, Guinea. The anchored vessel was boarded in location 9°20’48N, 13°34’32W at 03:10UTC. Four armed persons boarded using the anchor chain and departed the vessel after 30 minutes.South East Asia – Maritime Security Incidents
10 September 2018: Container Ship Boarded by Armed Persons in Chittagong Anchorage, Bangladesh. Two robbers armed with knives boarded the anchored Liberia-flagged vessel in position 20°6’6N, 91°46’55E at 16:30UTC. Duty crew noticed the robbers and informed the master, who then raised the alarm. Hearing the alarm the pirates escaped. After a search, it was reported ship’s properties were stolen. 10 September 2018: LATE REPORT – Tanker Boarded in Tarahan Jetty, Indonesia. Two robbers boarded the Saudi-flagged chemical tanker at position 5°31’43S, 105°20’58E at 19:30UTC. The duty watchman noticed them and raised the alarm. The robbers escaped and no stolen items were reported. 11 September 2018: Bulk Carrier Boarded in Sandakan Port, Sabah, Malaysia. The incident occurred in position 5°48’5N, 118°4’9E at 20:15UTC. Alert duty crew spotted the robbers and notified the master. The crew made their way forward to the deck to investigate. The robbers escaped in their speed boat and the incident was reported to the local authority. 16 September 2018: Suspicious Approach on Underway Tanker, 4nm SW of Balabac Island, Philippines. Two skiffs approached an asphalt tanker whilst it was underway in position 7°45’14N, 117°3’95E at 03:15UTC. The alarm was raised and crew mustered. The persons on board were reported by the master to be wearing masks. Evasive manoeuvres were commenced. After five minutes the skiffs aborted their approach and moved to another vessel in the vicinity. The master informed the other vessel of the approaching skiffs by VHF. 16 September 2018: Militants Free Three Indonesian Hostages, Southern Philippines. According to local reports, the men were kidnapped in early 2017 by Abu Sayyaf militants, off Sabah state. The men were freed with the help of the Moro National Liberation Front, a rebel group which has signed a peace deal with the Philippine government in Sulu province.Click link to Download PDF: 20180920 – Solace Global Maritime Security Snapshot – Week 38 A roundup of maritime security incidents – an easy to read format collating suspicious approaches, vessel attacks, boardings, hijacks and media reports. This week’s Maritime Security Snapshot was compiled by Solace Global’s in-house intelligence team.