Maritime Incident Report: February 2021
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: February 2021, covering maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, West Africa, South East Asia and South America, for the period 01/02/21 – 28/02/21.
Executive Summary:
• Fishing Vessel hijacked 85 nm West of Port Gentil Gabon and later used as a mother vessel to attack other shipping.
• Shots fired by pirates 56nm SW of Sao Tome. MT MADRID SPIRIT reported the attack was aborted after 45mins.
• Vessel boarded 108nm NW of Sao Tome. The vessel was understood to be in the vicinity of the hijacked LIANPENGYU 809.
• Thefts from Barges in the Singapore Strait.
• A Vehicle Carrier reported an explosion as it transited the Gulf of Oman 44nm North of Muscat.
Global Update:
West Africa continues to be the focal point of piracy and kidnapping for ransom in the maritime domain, while in East Africa Somali piracy remains suppressed other more complex threats have emerged that threaten the safety of ships and seafarers in the Gulf of Aden, Southern Red Sea and Yemen. In the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz regional tensions have given rise to an increase of activity including the attack and boarding of vessels and harassment by state actors that is of cause for concern to commercial shipping. In SE Asia a total of 97 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in 2020. This accounts for a 17% increase in the total number of incidents and a 32% increase in actual incidents reported in 2020 compared to 2019. Elsewhere an Islamic state insurgency in Northern Mozambique threatens to spill over into the maritime domain and a socio-economic downturn has led to sporadic incidents against shipping in the Caribbean and in particular Venezuela.
West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea
Regional Situation
Kidnap for Ransom has become the modus operandi for criminals in the region, with incidents moving increasingly away from traditional locations in the Niger Delta to offshore with vessels being attacked up to 200nm from shore. Globally 135 crew were kidnapped from vessels in 2020 with the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) accounting for over 95% of crew numbers kidnapped. Since 2019, the GoG has experienced an unprecedented rise in the number of multiple crew kidnappings and in 2020 a record 130 crew members were taken in 22 separate incidents. Criminal activities in this region are particularly dangerous as over 80% of attackers were armed with guns and all 3 vessel hijackings and 9 of the 11 vessels fired upon globally in 2020 related to this area. Crew kidnappings were reported in 25% of vessel attacks in the GoG, more than any other region in the world. Once taken crews are removed from their vessel and can be held onshore until their release is negotiated. Ships are advised to exercise a high degree of caution if operating in the Gulf of Guinea, operators are reminded to regularly review their ship security assessment and plan using the International Ship and Facility Security Code (ISPS). Companies are also advised to maintain strict anti-piracy watches and report all pirate activity, including both actual and attempted attacks, as well as suspicious sightings, to local naval authorities and the MDAT-GOG. The use of BMP West Africa and OCIMF Bridge Cards are advised and provide a handy reference to aid in keeping ships safe.
Threat Assessment: HIGH – Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting in and around West Africa.
Monthly Activity Report
During the period 6 -12 February a Pirate Action Group (PAG) conducted a number of attacks off the West African coast in the vicinity of Sao Tome and Principe Gulf of Guinea. It is understood that the PAG intercepted and hijacked the Chinese fishing vessel LIANPENGYU 809 to use as a mother vessel to attack and board commercial shipping. The fate of 14 Chinese nationals remains unknown. Reports indicate that skiffs launched from the FV came alongside the MT SEAKING on 8 February and the attackers attempted to board the vessel using ladders, later shots were fired at the LNG tanker MADRID SPIRIT which again seems attributable to the same PAG. On 9 Feb the tanker MARIA E was boarded 108nm NW of Sao Tome and the crew retired to the citadel where they stayed for 24hrs until the attackers left the vessel. It is thought highly likely that another attack on the vessel SEA PHANTOM on 6 Feb was perpetrated by the same PAG. The PAG activity ended on 12 Feb when the FV was intercepted by the Gabonese Navy and the vessel taken under tow to Libreville. In response to a Shipping Industry request amid concerns about the escalation of attacks against vessels on the high seas, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will form a piracy working group at its Maritime Safety Committee session in May 2021. The IMO intends to provide an opportunity for member states and international organizations to discuss further collaboration and possible action to address existing problems. This week the Nigerian Government said it will commission $195 million worth of aircraft, boats and vehicles in the next three months to strengthen security in the pirate-infested Gulf of Guinea. A reported attack on a Security Escort Vessel (SEV) 40nm S of Brass Nigeria on 24 Feb, was later downgraded to a false alarm.
Fig 2: Map of Incidents within West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, during the period 01/02/21 – 28/02/21.
West Africa and Gulf of Guinea Incidents
1. APPROACH
Date and Time: 04 FEB 21 0900UTC
Location: 03°30 00N 06°49 00E
Details: Container ship MSC PANAYA reported a suspicious approach. The vessel approached to within 0.1nm with 6/7 persons onboard. The crew was not able to see a ladder or weapon.
2. ATTACKED
Date and Time: 06 FEB 21 2235UTC
Location: 02°00 00N 08°14 00E
Details: Product tanker SEA PHANTOM was attacked and reportedly boarded, at around 2330 UTC Feb in Gulf of Guinea SW of Douala, Cameroon. The ship according to track, was underway from Lome Togo to Douala.
Feb 8 0530 UTC UPDATE: Tanker resumed moving after pirates fled, reportedly all crew mustered in the citadel and remained safe. The vessel sailed to Malabo, Bioko Island.
3. BOARDED
Date and Time: 07 FEB 21 2100UTC
Location: 00°51 00S 07°20 00E
Details: On the 7th February at 2100UTC, an unknown number of attackers had taken control of an FV LIANPENGYU 809 and its crew. The FV was used as a Mother Vessel by the attackers in order to attack commercial ships.
4. ATTACK
Date and Time: 08 FEB21 0522UTC
Location: 00°59 00S 09°32 00E
Details: On 8 February at 0522UTC, MT SEAKING reported an attempted boarding by at least 4 attackers on a small craft equipped with ladders. The small craft was launched from another ship that was previously hijacked. The crew applied BMP WA procedures and carried out evasive manoeuvres resulting in the attempt to abort. Crew and ship were reported safe.
5. ATTACK
Date and Time: 08 FEB 21 1658UTC
Location: 00°43 00S 06°08 00E
Details: On 8 February at 1658UTC, an MT MADRID SPIRIT reported an attack by one skiff with 6 persons onboard. Assailants fired upon the bridge.
6. ATTACK
Date and Time: 09 FEB 21 1222UTC
Location: 01°35 00N 05° 07 00E
Details: Panama Flagged product tanker MARIA E was attacked and boarded 108nm northwest of Sao Tome and Principe, while on transit from Lome, Togo. The crew mustered in the citadel and managed to control the ship remotely from the citadel. The crew left the citadel after approximately 24hours and headed to Pointe Noire Congo.
7. KIDNAP
Date and Time: 12 FEB 21 0842UTC
Location: 00°23 24N 09°09 03E
Details: 16 NM West of Libreville, The FV LIANPENGYU 809 previously reported hijacked is now underway and currently being escorted by a Gabonese Navy ship to Libreville. The LIANPENGYU 809 was used to attack other ships over several days. Gabonese authorities intercepted the ship but not before nine crew were taken hostage. (Source: MDAT-GOG).
Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean
Regional Situation
Somali piracy remains suppressed but not eradicated, however, Pirate Action Groups (PAG) still have the intent and means to conduct criminal activity at sea. This is currently denied to them by the presence of international naval forces, the use of BMP5 measures by ships transiting the area and the deployment of Armed Security Teams on merchant ships provided by Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSC). This combination of deterrent is vitally important if the status quo is to be maintained. Although piracy is in a controlled state other asymmetric threats have emerged that threaten the safety of seafarers in the region, spill over into the maritime domain from the Yemen conflict is of particular concern. The recent attacks against MT Stolt Apal and Gladiolus in the Gulf of Aden using Waterborne Improvised Explosive Devices (WBIED) have no obvious perpetrators (no one has claimed responsibility) but are likely linked to terrorist organisations (AQAP) operating in the Yemen.
Threat Assessment: MODERATE/HIGH – Vessels are advised to exercise caution when transiting the high-risk area (HRA).
Monthly Activity Report
An MV was approached close the Bab el Mandeb (BAM) strait on 15 Feb otherwise there has been no activity of any significance to report in the region this month.
Fig 4: Map of Incidents within the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, during the period 01/02/21 – 28/02/21.
Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean Incidents
1. APPROACH
Date and Time: 15 FEB 21 0530UTC
Location: 12°34.3N 043°53.1E
Details: An Armed Maritime Security Team (AMST) watchkeeper and the OOW sighted 3 suspicious skiffs ay 0.03nm approaching towards the vessel from the port side. Master/AMSTL were on the bridge and the emergency alarm was raised. PA announcement made, AMST stood-to on the bridge wings, raised the ships horn, ship altered course, all water hoses were started, all the crew were mustered in the muster station. At 0540UTC 3 skiffs deviated from their approach and at 0545UTC all crew were stood-down. At 0610UTC master reported to UKMTO and alerted other vessels in the vicinity on VHF Ch-16. At 0730UTC AMST stand-down and back to normal watch routine.
Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz
Regional Situation
Simmering tensions between the US and its allies and the Islamic Republic of Iran boiled over during the middle of 2019. The Trump administration pursued a ‘Max Pressure’ policy against Iran after it failed to stop its nuclear fuel enrichment programme which led to sanctions being placed against the export of Iranian oil. In an apparent retaliation to the boarding of an Iranian oil tanker delivering crude to Syria (against the sanctions), Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boarded and detained the UK flagged vessel Stena Impero. 4 ships were attacked at anchor off Fujairah UAE with what appeared to be limpet mines and 2 ships underway in the Northern Arabian Sea were also attacked by similar means. In response to these actions the international community formed the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) and the European Maritime Awareness Mission Strait of Hormuz (EMA SOH) both designed to reassure commercial shipping and deter state actor interference with the free flow of commerce through the SoH. The situation remains tense with IRGC frequently stopping and hailing vessels during transits.
Threat Assessment: MODERATE – Vessels are advised to exercise caution when transiting the high-risk area (HRA).
Monthly Activity Report
Ships continue to be contacted by Iranian naval forces as they transit the Strait of Hormuz, although there is nothing directly threatening about this situation it has caused concern and unease in the merchant shipping community. The IMSC and EMA SOH continue to patrol the area in a reassurance role. The crew of the South Korean chemical tanker HANKUK CHEMI which was seized by Iranian authorities in January have been released, the crew were detained in the Strait of Hormuz on 4 January 2021 over an alleged ‘marine pollution’ incident. The crew included five South Korean, 11 Burmese, two Vietnamese and two Indonesian seafarers. On 24 Feb a vehicle carrier reported an explosion as it transited the Gulf of Oman 44nm North of Muscat.
Fig 6: Map of Incidents within the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, during the period 01/02/21 – 28/02/21.
Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz Incidents
1. EXPLOSION
Date and Time: 25 Feb 21 2040UTC
Location: 24°23N 05 83E
Details: An explosion was reported on board a vehicle carrier 44 nautical miles northwest of Muscat. The ship MV HELIOS RAY was heading from Dammam Saudi Arabia to Singapore when the explosion took place. The crew was said to be uninjured and the ship returned to its port of origin. The MV is owned by an Israeli company registered in the Isle of Man (see photos below).
Yemen and the Southern Red Sea
Regional Situation
A conflict has existed in the Yemen since 2015 that has on occasion spilt over into the maritime environment particularly in the Southern Red Sea (SRS) littoral. Iranian backed Houthi rebels have attacked warships and crude oil tankers linked to the Saudi led coalition who are supporting the internationally recognised Government of Yemen led by President Hadi. The Houthi have deployed sophisticated weaponry including surface to surface missiles, sea mines and Waterborne Improvised Explosive Devices (WBIED) and have successfully engaged and caused damage to naval and targeted commercial shipping. The threat of collateral damage or attack through misidentification of merchant shipping transiting the Bab el Mandab and SRS is real and commercial ship operators are advised to follow current guidance given in BMP5 and military sources.
Threat Assessment: MODERATE/LOW – Vessels are advised to exercise caution and remain vigilant.
Monthly Activity Report
While conflict continues on land in the Yemen, there has been no reported incidents in the maritime domain this month. Commercial ships are still advised to remain vigilant as they transit the area and follow current guidance to stay as far west as possible from the Yemen coast and use the Western Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) around the Hanish Islands in the entrance to the Bab el Mandab strait. UKMTO issued a Notice regarding Yemen Government Coastguard activity in the BAM.
Fig 10: Map of Incidents within Yemen and Southern Red Sea, during the period 01/02/21 – 28/02/21.
Yemen and Southern Red Sea Incidents
1. UKMTO NOTICE
Date: 07 FEB 21
Description: UKMTO is aware that the Yemeni coastguard is coordinating increased patrols and VHF hailings with merchant vessels in the vicinity of Bab el Mandeb. This information is being made available for company awareness. Source: Third Party. VESSELS TRANSITING THE AREA ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION.
2. EVACUATION
Date: 08 FEB 21
Details: The UAE has reportedly evacuated its military base in Assab Eritrea.
South-East Asia
Regional Situation
Maritime crime in SE Asia, and particularly in the Singapore Strait and Sulu-Celebes Seas, has traditionally manifested itself in incidents of armed robbery and theft from vessels at ports and anchorages. Of specific concern in 2020 was the continued increase of incidents on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait, this numbered 34 incidents compared to 31 in 2019 and despite efforts by littoral states to increase patrolling and law enforcement.
Threat Assessment: MODERATE/LOW – Vessels are advised to exercise caution and be aware of the rising threat of armed robbery.
Monthly Activity Report
There were 3 incidents of theft reported this month in the region.
Fig 12: Map of Incidents within South-East Asia, during the period 01/02/21 – 28/02/21.
South-East Asia Incidents
1. THEFT
Date and Time: 09 FEB 21 0400UTC
Location: 01°17 16N 103°73 22E
Details: Sea Theft, was reported from a barge being towed 6.1 nautical miles southwest of Nipa Island. Two suspects boarded the barge while it was underway, and they fled when the crew of the tug boat spotted them. A search of the barge found that some shackles had been stolen. The crew of the tug boat was not confronted by the suspects. The authorities were alerted, but the barge continued its voyage.
2. THEFT
Date and Time: 13 FEB 21 2220UTC
Location: 06°01 00N 10°52 00E
Details: Sea Theft, the Company Security Officer of the Singapore Flagged container ship, ALS JUVENTUS, reported that the vessel was boarded by unknown perpetrators while berthed at Port of Jakarta, Indonesia.
3. THEFT
Date and Time: 21 FEB 21 0535UTC
Location: 01°16 01N 103°84 80E
Details: Sea Theft, 5 men were detained after boarding and robbing a barge in the Singapore Strait. The incident took place in the waters off Karang Banteng, the suspects approached the barge in two boats and stole 150kg of iron. The Indonesian Navy responded and Navy Security Patrol Navy KRI Siwar-646 arrested 5 people and seized two speedboats that were stealing from the Barge LIMAU 133 being pulled by the tug boat DANUM 50 in the eastbound lane of TSS, the perpetrators were arrested at 12.35 (UTC + 7).
For More Information
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