Week 41 – Maritime Security Weekly Snapshot
Gulf of Guinea – Maritime Security Incidents
8 Oct 17: Operation Crocodile Smile II – Nigerian Military Deploy Troops in Niger Delta. Militants have threatened attacks if the number of soldiers deployed in the region increases. 11 Oct 17: Supply Vessel Attacked and Boarded South of Brass, Nigeria. The vessel was in approximate position 3°57’0N, 6°19’0E at 0820UTC. Seven to eight persons were sighted on the speed boat. The crew mustered to the citadel. Ships equipment and property were stolen. The robbers escaped when the security vessel closed on their position.Indian Ocean – Maritime Security Incidents
6 Oct 17: Indian Navy Assist Bulk Carrier in Piracy Attack. The INS Trishul responded to the Jag Amar distress call at 1230UTC. The navy seized one AK47 assault rifle, along with grapnels, ropes, fuel drums and ladders. Twelve pirates made the pirate attempt on the vessel. 7 Oct 17: Suspicious Skiffs Reported in Gulf of Aden. Four dark coloured-hulled skiffs were sighted in position 11°56’11N, 44°43’46E at 0720UTC, near Point A IRTC. Four to five persons were reported on board. The skiffs approached up to 0.7nm and then turned away. 8 Oct 17: Somali Forces Kill Iranian Sailor. Puntland Maritime Police Forces spotted two boats reportedly illegally fishing in Somali waters. The incident reportedly occurred off the Ras Hafun coast. Another sailor was injured in the incident.South East Asia – Maritime Security Incidents
10 Oct 17: US Warship Sails Near Islands Claimed by South China Sea. A US Navy destroyer sailed near islands prompting an angry response from Beijing. China’s Defense Ministry stated a warship, two fighter jets and a helicopter were scrambled to warn the USS Chafee away. 12 Oct 17: Unmanned Rig Being Towed Boarded in Singapore Straits. Five persons in two crafts approached and boarded the rig in position 1°11’1N, 103°33’6E at 0020UTC. The tug master raised the alarm and notified local authorities who responded; however, the persons escaped.Click link to Download PDF:Solace Global Maritime Security Snapshot – Week 41 A roundup of maritime security incidents – an easy to read format collating suspicious approaches, vessel attacks, boardings, hijacks and media reports. Week 41 Maritime Security Snapshot is compiled by Solace Global’s in-house intelligence team.
Week 40 – Maritime Security Weekly Snapshot
Gulf of Guinea – Maritime Security Incidents
2 Oct 17: MDAT-GoG Release Quarterly Report. From July to September, there have been 18 events reported by MDAT-GoG. Of which, there was one reported hijack, four vessel attacks, and one vessel boarded. In addition, two suspicious approaches and another two sightings were reported. 2 Oct 17: Vessel Attack Near Bonny Island, Nigeria. An MV reported being attacked in position 4°17’36N, 7°4’0E at 1815UTC. The embarked armed security team fired shots at the speedboat. The speedboat escaped. 2 Oct 17: Nigerian Army to Conduct Training Exercises in Niger Delta. Exercises will be carried out in the restive region from 7-28 October, within the states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers State. Last years deployment led to local unrest with locals who accused the military of intimidation tactics in order to capture militants. 4 Oct 17: Niger Delta Militants Condemn Army Exercises. Militants claim the exercises are unnecessary and the government should focus on economic development.Indian Ocean – Maritime Security Incidents
4 Oct 17: Islamic State Claim Responsibility for Attack in Bosaso, Somalia. This is the third attack claimed by IS in Bosaso this year. In February, two gunmen attacked the International Village hotel, in which four soldiers and the two attackers were killed. In May, a suicide bomber detonated at a police checkpoint near the Juba hotel, killing five people and injuring 17 others. 6 Oct 17: Suspicious Skiffs Reported in Gulf of Aden. Two white-hulled skiffs were sighted in position 13°13N, 50°30E at 0700UTC. Ladders were sighted. The MV was approached up to 1.2nm after which the skiffs moved away.South East Asia – Maritime Security Incidents
1 Oct 17: Security Tightened on Balut Island. Eastern Mindanao Command strengthened and improved their security border in Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao. The effort has been made to prevent terror groups from entering its jurisdiction and improve regional maritime security. 3 Oct 17: Robbers Board an Anchored Container Ship in Manila Anchorage, Philippines. Six to eight robbers boarded the vessel in position 14°33’40N, 120°54’60E at 1650UTC. Duty crew noticed the robbers and raised the alarm. The duty crew raised the alarm and the robbers escaped with stolen ships properties. 5 Oct 17: Twelve Killed After Tanker Collided with a Fishing Boat. The collision occurred 215nm north of the Oki islands in western Japan. Nearby fishing vessels rescued four Chinese crewmen.Click link to Download PDF: Solace Global Maritime Security Snapshot – Week 40 A roundup of maritime security incidents – an easy to read format collating suspicious approaches, vessel attacks, boardings, hijacks and media reports. Week 40 Maritime Security Snapshot is compiled by Solace Global’s in-house intelligence team.
Week 39 – Maritime Security Weekly Snapshot
Gulf of Guinea – Maritime Security Incidents
18 Sep 17: Pirate Attack on Tug and Barge in Rivers State. The vessels had embarked security with a combined team of policemen and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp. The tug and barge were attacked by five gunmen in position 4°26’0N, 6°40’0E at 1845UTC, on San Barolomeo River, Ekebiri. Three persons were shot and one policeman was reported missing. Local news and police have stated three people were killed. 26 Sep 17: Tanker Attacked and be separated by a 0.5nm buffer zone. Boarded by Pirates in Brass, Nigeria. The Panama-flagged vessel was boarded by armed pirates in position 03°48’73N, 6°35’96E. Three crew members were reportedly abducted from the vessel.Indian Ocean – Maritime Security Incidents
28 Sep 17: Vessel Boarded in Dar Es Salaam Anchorage, Tanzania. Five armed robbers boarded the vessel in position 6°46’66S, 39°21’40E at 2300UTC. The crew were tied up. The robbers stole a VHF radio, and cargo items before escaping. 26 Sep 17: Five Skiffs Sighted in Gulf of Aden. The skiff was sighted in approximate position 12°8’0N, 44°15’0E; between the Bab El Mandeb and Point A of the IRTC. Each skiff was reported to carry persons on board. One skiff approached the vessel within one cable. Embarked armed security team showed weapons and the skiff changed direction. 28 Sep 17: Tanker Attacked Off the Coast of Nishtun, Yemen. The tanker was attacked by 1 small boat carrying 5-6 armed persons in position 15°53’0N, 52°20’0E at 1236UTC. Shots were reported to be fired. The vessel proceeded to its next port.South East Asia – Maritime Security Incidents
22 Sep 17: The Philippines Launches a Recommended Transit Corridor (RTC). All vessels transiting Moro Gulf and Basilan Strait should follow the RTC. It is not a traffic separation scheme. The Philippines Coast Guard and other maritime forces will be better able to monitor vessels using this corridor, as well as deploy quicker. The corridor includes an inbound and outbound transit lane that is 1nm wide, and will be separated by a 0.5nm buffer zoneClick link to Download PDF:Solace Global Maritime Security Snapshot – Week 39 A roundup of maritime security incidents – an easy to read format collating suspicious approaches, vessel attacks, boardings, hijacks and media reports. Week 39 Maritime Security Snapshot is compiled by Solace Global’s in-house intelligence team.
Week 38 – Maritime Security Weekly Snapshot
Gulf of Guinea – Maritime Security Incidents
15 Sep 17: Container Ship Boarded by Armed Robbers Near Conakry, Guinea. Seven robbers armed with guns, knives, and crowbars, boarded the Denmark flagged vessel in approximate position 9°24’35N, 13°44’56W at 0206UTC. Three crew members were assaulted, some vessel damage caused and ships properties stolen. The robbers escaped the vessel. 18 Sep 17: Tug and Barge Attacked in Rivers State, Nigeria. The vessels were on route from Idamara to Robertkiri when it was attacked by five gunmen in approximate position 4°26’0N, 6°40’0E on the San Bartolomeo, Rivers State. One person was shot and another three abducted, including the captain and chief engineer. 18 Sep 17: Attack on Vessel and Kidnap of Crew Near Parrot Island, Calabar, Nigeria. Four speedboats are reported to have attacked the vessel, with five crew members abducted. The incident occurred in approximate position 4°47’0N, 8°18’0E at 2107UTC.Indian Ocean – Maritime Security Incidents
14 Sep 17: Yemen Houthi Leader Claims Group Could Target Saudi Oil Tankers. The warning came in response to the threat posed by Saudi forces of attacking the port city of Al Hodeidah, currently held by Houthi fighters. 22 Sep 17: Suspicious Vessel Sighted in Gulf of Aden. The skiff was sighted in approximate position 12°37N, 47°28E at 0721UTC, carrying three armed persons on board.Lybia – Maritime Security Incidents
18 Sep 17: EU Trains 87 Libyan Coastguards. EUNAVFOR’s Operation Sofia aims to increase security in Libyan territorial waters. The training will last till November. Operation Sofia is tasked with disrupting illegal trafficking networks in the Mediterranean, and has been extended to 31 December 2018.South East Asia – Maritime Security Incidents
19 Sep 17: Robbers Board Anchored Bulk Carrier in Vietnam. Robbers boarded the vessel at Cam Pha Inner Anchorage in approximate position 20°54’3N, 107°16’3E during vessel operations. Duty crew noticed the broken padlock to the paint store and raised the alarm. Some items were reported stolen. 15 Sep 17: Two Collisions in a Month Highlight Congestion Concerns in Singapore Straits. Twelve sailors have died, with another three missing in two separate collisions. A new port at Tuas is anticipated to handle more ships but will only open in 2021.Click link to Download PDF: 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. Week 38 Maritime Security Snapshot is compiled by Solace Global’s in-house intelligence team.
Week 37 – Maritime Security Weekly Snapshot
Gulf of Guinea – Maritime Security Incidents
7 Sep 17: Militants Threaten Sterling Global Oil Operations Over Pollution and Regional Neglect Allegations. The threat was made from Port Harcourt, Nigeria by ex-militant leaders. The firm is believed to not have complied with environmental standards.
8 Sep 17: Militants Withdraw Quit Notice. The Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators withdrew their threat to northerners and Yoruba working in the Niger Delta, after an agreement was reached with stakeholders in the region
8 Sep 17: Pirate Attack in Conakry Anchorage, Guinea. Seven robbers boarded the vessel armed with knives and crowbars. The incident occurred in position 9°21’96N, 13°44’48W at 0316UTC. The robbers attempted to kidnap the master; however, after 15mins they left the vessel with only some stolen ships properties. The crew were reported safe.
12 Sep 17: Protesters in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria Leave Coffins Outside Mobil’s Facilities. One coffin was left outside Mobil’s residential facilities in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, another at the airstrip, and another at Marina Junction in the city. Youths were protesting Mobil’s refusal to move its head office from Lagos to Akwa Ibom State.
Indian Ocean – Maritime Security Incidents
8 Sep 17: French and EUNAVFOR Warships Exercise at Sea Off the Coast of Somalia. The French FS Auvergne and ITS Virginio Fasan conducted counter-piracy exercises in an effort to enhance cooperation.
South East Asia – Maritime Security Incidents
7 Sep 17: Ten Pirates Arrested for MGT1 Tanker Hijack. The arrested pirates are Indonesian nationals. None of the 14 crew members, all of whom are Thai, were injured. The search for three accomplices who escaped in a small boat continues.
11 Sep 17: Theft from Anchored Vessel in Samarinda, Indonesia. Duty personnel aboard a bulk carrier noted opened hatches and mooring ropes missing whilst at anchor at 0°13’3 S, 117°33’5 E at 2030UTC.
15 Sep 17: North Korea Fires Second Ballistic Missile Over Japan. This missile flew higher and further than the previous launch. South Korea responded by firing two ballistic missiles into the sea in a simulated strike.
Click link to Download PDF: Solace Global Maritime Security Snapshot – Week 37 A roundup of maritime security incidents – an easy to read format collating suspicious approaches, vessel attacks, boardings, hijacks and media reports. Week 37 Maritime Security Snapshot is compiled by Solace Global’s in-house intelligence team.