Maritime Incident Report: December 2024
Executive Summary
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: December 2024 covers maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, Europe, West Africa, South East Asia and South America for the period 01/12/24 – 31/12/24.
• Europe: Several human migration events were reported across the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea; while in the Black Sea, Ukraine targeted offshore oil platforms being used as military installations by Russia.
• Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: Only one Houthi attack was reported in December down from five in November indicating a possible shift in Houthi priorities.
• Indian Ocean and Somali Basin: There were no maritime incidents reported in the region last month, but unconfirmed reports suggested Somali pirates had made a $10 million ransom demand for the release of a Chinese fishing vessel hijacked in November 2024.
• West Africa and Gulf of Guinea: Two ships were attacked off the coast of Equatorial Guinea and a vessel was robbed off Takoradi, Ghana. In Benin a fishing boat was boarded off Cotonou, and the master kidnapped. Human migration events continue off West Africa.
• Southeast Asia and South China Sea: Several robberies took place from commercial ships across the region during December. It was reported that up to 7 crewmembers of a fertiliser carrier were killed in an incident in Bangladesh.
• The Caribbean Sea and South America: There were no reports of maritime crime taking place in the ports or anchorages of South America, but robberies from private vessels continue to occur unabated in the Caribbean Sea.
1. Regional Report: Europe
Monthly Activity
The number of human migration rescue events reported in the Mediterranean region remains a significant issue for humanitarian and governmental organisations and potentially, private and commercial shipping. In the Black Sea there were no maritime incidents involving commercial vessels but the risk of receiving collateral damage from military activity by both sides in the Ukraine conflict is a constant threat. Ukraine attacked an offshore supply vessel and an oil platform as they continued to target naval ships, ports, and offshore ‘military Installations.’ This has led to a reduction in Russian naval activity; in retaliation, Russia has attacked port infrastructure in Ukraine with aerial bombardments, raising the risk level for vessels operating in Ukrainian ports.
Maritime Incidents
1. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 03 December 2024—Migrants Rescued:
Twenty migrants were rescued, and 32 were apprehended in Izmir, Turkey.
2. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 11 December 2024 – Migrants Boat Sinks:
Twenty people died, and 5 were rescued when a migrant boat sank off Chebba, Tunisia.
3. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 13 December 2024 – Migrant Boat Capsizes:
Five migrants died and over 40 were rescued by a Coastguard vessel when a boat capsized off the Island of Gavdos near Crete.
4. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 19 December 2024 – Migrants Rescued:
31 migrants rescued off Al-Khums, Libya.
5. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 24 December 2024 – Migrants Rescued:
Ninety-three migrants were rescued and detained off Çanakkale, Turkey.
6. The Black Sea. 10 December 2024 – Oil Platform attacked:
Ukraine reported a new assault against an offshore gas platform, that Ukraine claims Russia was using to deploy air defences missile systems.
7. The Black Sea. 23 December 2024 – Vessel attacked:
An unconfirmed report from pro-Ukrainian supporters detailed an attack on a Ukrainian-owned offshore supply vessel that is part of the Russian annexation. The ship was reportedly damaged in a drone strike on Monday, December 23, while docked in the occupied city of Chornomorske on the Crimea peninsular north of Sevastopol.
Operational Status of Ukraine’s Black Sea Ports
•The Danube ports of Reni, Izmail and Ust-Dunaisk are open with some restrictions.
• Belgorod Dniestrovskiy is open with some restrictions.
• Odesa Port is open.
• Skadovsk port is closed.
• Chornomorsk is reported to be open. Grain export only.
• Pivdenny is open.
• The port of Berdyansk is closed.
• Mykolaiv (Olvia) Port is closed. Cargo operations are suspended for commercial operations.
• Mariupol Port is closed. The city is controlled by Russian forces, and the port is reported by the Russian military to be operational but it remains closed according to Ukraine’s Maritime Administration.
• Kherson Port is closed. Cargo operations are suspended for commercial operations.
2. Regional Report: Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea
Monthly Activity
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) reported that 2 US Navy escort vessels intercepted Houthi missiles and drones during an attack on US-flagged commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden on 01 December. This was the only recorded incident in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden during December down from 5 in November. From a total of 111 reported attacks since November 2023, just 11 have occurred in the last 3 months as the Houthis appear to have shifted the focus of their attacks to land-based targets in Israel. In retaliation, Israel, the US and the UK bombed Houthi military targets in the Port of Hodeidah and in the capital, Sana’a.
Maritime Incidents
1. Red Sea. 01 December 2024 – Missiles Intercepted:
The US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US military activities in the Middle East, said that two destroyers had intercepted a barrage of cruise missiles and drones launched from Yemen. The destroyers were escorting 3 US-owned, operated, and flagged merchant vessels. None of the ships were hit, and no injuries were reported.
3. Regional Report: The Indian Ocean and Somali Basin
Monthly Activity
There are unconfirmed reports that a ransom demand has been made by pirates holding 18 hostages onboard a Chinese fishing vessel hijacked in November off the coast of Somalia. The pirates are demanding $10 million for the release of the crew of the ship which the hijackers say was operating illegally in Somali territorial waters. There were no other incidents reported.
Maritime Incidents
No Incidents to report.
4. Regional Report: The Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman
Monthly Activity
Concerns over the escalation of the tension between Israel and Iran impacting the maritime domain have diminished as a ceasefire was reached in Lebanon, and both Israel and Iran indicated they want to step back from the series of tit-for-tat attacks on each other’s territory. However, Iran continues to pose a potential threat to commercial vessels transiting the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. Ships may be contacted or harassed by Iranian authorities while operating in the region, but there were no reports of any maritime incidents taking place in this region during December.
Maritime Incidents
No Incidents to report.
5. Regional Report: West Africa and Gulf of Guinea
Monthly Activity
The number of maritime incidents rose in the Gulf of Guinea last month; incidents were reported off the coast of Equatorial Guinea, Benin, and Ghana. The Maritime Doman Awareness for Trade – Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GOG) reported 2 incidents near Sao Tome and Principe, which may indicate a Pirate Action Group is active in the east of the Gulf of Guinea. While the number of security incidents reported in the Gulf of Guinea remains comparatively low, there appears to be an increase in human migration events, with several small boat crossings reported between the West African coast and the Canary Islands.
Maritime Incidents
1. Gulf of Guinea. 05 December 2024 – Boarding and Kidnap:
A fishing boat was boarded by 5 unauthorised personnel 9nm south of the port of Cotonou, Benin. The perpetrators were armed and unconfirmed reports state the men kidnapped the captain and then left the fishing vessel. No further information was given.
2. Gulf of Guinea. 07 December 2024 – Boarding and Theft:
Takoradi Anchorage, Ghana. A duty crew member on routine rounds onboard an anchored bulk carrier spotted 3 robbers armed with knives near the forecastle store. The alarm was raised, and one of the robbers threatened the duty watchman while the others continued to look for items to steal. On seeing an approaching patrol boat, the robbers escaped with ship’s property.
3. Gulf of Guinea. 21 December 2024 – Suspicious Approach:
The container ship LETO reported a suspicious approach about 29 nm southwest of Bata, Equatorial Guinea. A small speed boat approached to within 0.75 nm and the craft discharged firearms. According to the report, the speed boat had a dark hull, was 9 meters long, and chased the ship for around 30 minutes. The alarm was raised, and anti-boarding measures were taken. The ship increased speed and the crew mustered in the citadel. Several impacts from light weapons were reported within LETO superstructures. The vessel sailed towards Bata where she arrived around 0900 hrs on 21 December. The crew and vessel were reported to be safe.
4. Gulf of Guinea. 22 December 2024 – Attempted Piracy incident:
The MDAT-GOG reported that an incident took place 50nm East of Santo Antonio, Sao Tome, and Principe. Six persons boarded a vessel, and the ship’s crew retreated to the citadel. The suspected pirates attempted to gain access to the citadel but were unsuccessful. The men stayed on the vessel for about one hour and left after destroying the ship’s communications equipment. The crew and ship are safe.
5. Canary Islands. 11 December 2024 – Migrant & Refugee Incident:
284 human migrants arrived by boat in El Hierro, Canary Islands.
6. Canary Islands. 19 December 2024 – Migrant and Refugee Incident:
377 human migrants were rescued off the Canary Islands.
6. Regional Report: South East Asia
Monthly Activity
The was an increase in criminal activity against ships in the ports and anchorages of Bangladesh, where in one incident, 7 crew members of a ship carrying fertiliser from Chattogram to Sirajganj were murdered by another crew member. Local police said 5 of the crew were found dead at the scene, while 2 others died in hospital from their wounds. Several boardings and robberies from vessels were reported in the Singapore Strait, Vietnam, and Indonesia as the number of maritime security incidents increased across the region during December.
Maritime Incidents
1. Singapore Strait. 01 December 2024 – Armed Boarding and Theft:
The crew of an underway vessel spotted 8 perpetrators in the engine control room, four of the robbers were armed with knives. The Master raised the alarm, mustered the crew, and conducted a search, but no perpetrators were found. The ship reported that a crew member’s legs and hands were tied by the perpetrators, and engine spare parts were reported missing.
2. Singapore Strait. 06 December 2024 – Armed Boarding and Theft:
The crew of an underway ship spotted six armed men with knives in the steering gear room. The master raised the alarm, and the crew mustered to conduct a search, but no perpetrators were found. All crew members were accounted for, and no injuries were reported. Nothing was stolen.
3. Singapore Strait. 08 December 2024 – Boarding and Theft:
Robbers boarded an underway ship and stole a breathing apparatus compressor. The padlock of the emergency generator room was shut but two fire hoses from the poop deck were rigged and assessed to be used to lower the compressor to a waiting boat. The crew was not injured.
4. Singapore Strait. 10 December – Armed Boarding and Theft:
A vessel was bound for Singapore port when the motorman who was on the poop deck was attacked by a robber who was armed with a knife while another perpetrator was trying to board the ship. The motorman managed to free himself from the perpetrator, ran to the engine room, and subsequently notified the bridge. The Master raised the alarm, and all the crew was mustered at muster stations and accounted for. First aid was administered to the injured crewman and a search of the ship was conducted. A knife and bags were found on the main deck. Nothing was stolen.
5. Singapore Strait. 11 December 2024 – Boarding and Theft:
While towing a barge from Jurong Port, Singapore, to Cigading, Indonesia, the master of a tug spotted 4 small boats, each carrying 3 to 5 people, approaching the barge. The barge was carrying a cargo load of scrap metal. About 3-5 perpetrators boarded the barge and transferred the scrap metal from the barge to their boat. The master sounded the ship horn continuously and altered course to starboard. The perpetrators escaped immediately in their small boat. The crew was not injured.
6. Singapore Strait. 14 December 2024 – Armed Boarding and Theft:
While a vessel was underway, the crew spotted six perpetrators armed with knives in the engine room. The master raised the alarm and mustered the crew to conduct a search. No perpetrators were found but some engine spares were stolen. All crew members were accounted for, and there were no reported injuries.
7. Bangladesh. 19 December 2024 – Armed Boarding:
Chattogram Anchorage, Bangladesh. Around seven robbers armed with machetes boarded an anchored heavy load carrier ship. They threatened the duty crew with machetes, snatched his UHF radio and personal mobile phone, and stole ship’s property before escaping in a wooden boat. No injuries were reported. The incident was reported to Port Control.
8. Bangladesh. 24 December 2024 – Murder:
Seven crew members were killed in a brutal attack aboard a bulk carrier in the Meghna River near Chandpur, Bangladesh. It was later discovered that the crew had been murdered by another crew member who had drugged the men before killing them. The motive appears to be robbery.
9. Bangladesh. 28 December 2024 – Armed Boarding:
Three robbers armed with knives and iron bars boarded an anchored bulk carrier. A duty crewmember on routine rounds was threatened as he spotted the robbers trying to break into the forecastle store. The alarm was raised but the robbers escaped. A search was conducted, but no items were reported missing.
10. Vietnam. 08 December 2024 – Boarding and Theft:
Vung Tau Anchorage, Vietnam. Robbers boarded an anchored container ship, stole items from the ship’s store, and escaped. The theft was noticed during routine rounds.
6. Regional Report: South America and Caribbean
Monthly Activity
No criminal activity was reported in the ports of South America during December, but we still advise against calling in ports in Ecuador due to social and political instability. Theft and petty crime rates against private yachts are high in the Caribbean; there were 5 incidents to report this month.
Maritime Incidents:
1. The Caribbean. 07 December 2024 – Armed Boarding (Offshore Venezuela):
A catamaran with 2 persons onboard was under sail on passage from Los Roques, Venezuela to Grenada when the yacht was approached by a small boat with 3-4 men onboard. Two masked men began to board the boat but a crew member was able to intercept the first criminal and force the gun from his hand, disarming him before pushing him off the boat. The gun went into the water. The crew member then went aft to aid the other crew member who was engaged with the second assailant who was attacking her with a club. The crew member was able to punch the second boarder in the head and neck sending him overboard between the 2 boats. The yacht turned on its motor and left the scene. The attackers did not pursue the yacht and it made safe landfall the following day in Grenada.
2. The Caribbean. 08 December – Boarding and Theft (St Maarten):
A yacht in the Dutch-side lagoon was boarded while the owners and guests slept onboard. The thieves entered the catamaran’s cabins and stole phones and a tablet. A report was made to the police and Coast Guard. Another boat was also boarded (twice) this same night
3. The Caribbean. 14 December 2024 – Theft (British Virgin Islands):
A dinghy and outboard motor were stolen from a chartered yacht moored in Diamond Cay. The theft was reported, and while underway to get their replacement dinghy, they saw and retrieved another dinghy that was adrift.
4. The Caribbean. 17 December 2024 – Migration Event (Puerto Rico):
108 migrants were rescued near the coast of Puerto Rico.
5. The Caribbean. 22 December 2024 – Theft (Tyrrel Bay, Grenada):
Overnight, thieves stole an unlocked dinghy/outboard from the davits while the owner slept onboard his catamaran. The thieves cut three lines. A report was made to the police and the marina.
For detailed root cause analysis and background to the events described in this report, talk to our Intelligence team who can provide a bespoke report focusing on maritime incidents and conflict situations that may affect your vessels and crew. Contact us at enquiries@priavosecurity.com.