Maritime Incident Report: February 2024
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: February 2024 covers maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, Europe, West Africa, South East Asia and South America for the period 01/02/24 – 29/02/24.
Executive Summary
In our monthly regional overview of significant maritime events, we cover security incidents affecting shipping operations from around the globe. Houthi attacks against commercial ships transiting the Red Sea increased during February but elsewhere the number of security incidents was generally lower than 12 months ago, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea which has seen a significant reduction in criminal activity.
• Europe. The security threat to commercial ships trading in Ukrainian ports remains significant, while Ukrainian military forces carried out two successful attacks against Russian naval vessels using Waterborne Improvised Explosive Devices (sea drones).
• The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Houthi attacks on commercial and naval vessels continue to present a major threat in this region. Despite US and UK attempts to degrade the Houthi’s capability to launch aerial weapons, attacks have continued unabated.
• The Indian Ocean, The Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. Although there was a reduction in the number of incidents reported during February, regional military organisations continue to warn of the threat from Pirate Action Groups operating in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.
• West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. Only two incidents were reported in this region in February.
• The South China Sea. The number of maritime security events reported in the Singapore and Malacca straits has fallen since the beginning of 2024 and this trend continued in February. Elsewhere in the region boarding and robbery at anchor remain the primary security threats to commercial shipping.
• South America and the Caribbean Sea. Petty theft crimes targeting pleasure craft continue throughout the Islands of the Caribbean. There were no significant incidents reported in South American ports for the second month running.
1. Regional Report: Europe
Monthly Activity
Russia’s regional maritime dominance is increasingly in question as its fleet is being eliminated one ship at a time by Ukrainian missiles and drones, this month two Russian warships were destroyed by Ukraine using sea drones. There remains a significant risk to ships trading in Ukrainian ports, particularly those operating in the Danube delta, from sea mines.
Maritime Incidents
1. Black Sea. 01 Feb 2024:
Ukraine reported that it used sea drones to attack and destroy the missile-armed Corvette IVANOVETS which was on patrol in the Black Sea near the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula.
2. Back Sea. 14 Feb 2024:
Ukraine reported that it attacked and destroyed the Russian amphibious ship CAESAR KUNIKOV using sea drones off the coast of Russian-occupied Crimea. There were no reports from Russian sources regarding casualties but the vessel is known to carry a crew of 87.
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
There continues to be a high degree of risk to commercial vessels transiting the Southern Red Sea between 12N and 16N. Houthi attacks against shipping have continued despite US/UK airstrikes against Houthi missile launch sites and radar infrastructure. Many ship operators have diverted their assets away from the area and are now routing around the Cape of Good Hope. In February, there was an overall increase in the number of attacks with a total of 17 incidents reported, compared to 12 in January. These attacks took place in the Southern Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb Strait and the western Gulf of Aden. Ships with links to Israel, the UK and the US are understood to be at the greatest risk from Houthi attack. In a possible change of tactics, it was reported that the Houthi may have inflicted damage to 3 subsea communication cables running through the Bab el Mandeb Strait.
Maritime Incidents
Due to the high number of incidents in this region during February (17), the incident report will take the form of a consolidated list of confirmed incidents that resulted in vessels transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden being struck by Houthi-launched weapons. It does not, for example, include missile or drone interceptions, UAV sightings or vessels hailed on VHF by ‘Houthi’ authorities.
1. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 06 Feb 2024:
UKMTO issued a report regarding an explosion in very close proximity to the merchant vessel STAR NASIA, some shrapnel impacted the ship. The vessel and crew were reported to be safe.
2. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 12 Feb 2024:
The vessel STAR IRIS was involved in an incident 40nm south of Al Mukha, Yemen. The Master reported his vessel was attacked by 2 missiles and reported minor damage. The vessel and crew are safe and proceeding to its next port of call.
3. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 16 Feb 2024:
UKMTO reported that an incident took place in the vicinity of 72nm northwest of Al Mukha, Yemen. 3 missiles hit the vessel MV POLLUX causing minor damage. There was no fire or smoke observed and the crew and the vessel were reported to be safe.
4. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 18 Feb 2024:
The bulk carrier RUBYMAR was attacked and hit by at least 1 missile, the impact caused damage to the ship’s hull and the crew abandoned the ship. The vessel remains afloat but is severely damaged. The crew is safe.
*Latest update – The vessel sank in the Southern Red Sea on 02 March becoming the first casualty of the Houthi campaign against commercial shipping.
5. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 19 Feb 2024:
MV SEA CHAMPION was attacked and hit by a UAV drone, the vessel was in the Bab el Mandeb Strait at the time of the incident. There was minor damage to the ship’s superstructure. The crew were reported to be safe.
6. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 19 Feb 2024:
UKMTO reported an incident 60nm north of Djibouti. The Master of the NAVIS FORTUNA stated that the vessel had been hit by an Uncrewed Aerial System resulting in superficial damage to the accommodation superstructure. The crew are reported to be safe and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call.
7. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 22 Feb 2024:
A report was received of an incident 70nm southeast of Aden, Yemen. The report said the vessel ISLANDER was attacked by 2 missiles, resulting in a fire onboard. The vessel sustained minor damage. It has been reported that the vessel and crew are safe and proceeding to the next port of call.
8. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 26 Feb 2024:
Three subsea cables were reportedly damaged off the coast of Yemen. One cable operator has confirmed the damage to a cable had disrupted its service in the region but said it didn’t know the cause yet. The press release suggests 3 cables – AAE-1, Seacom/TGN and Europe India Gateway (EIG) systems have been damaged. The media report claims the damage to the cables was a result of attacks by Yemen’s Iranian-backedHouthi rebels.
3. Regional Report: The Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea
Monthly Activity
The Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) provided a recent assessment of the current piracy-related security situation in the Somali Basin, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. It stated that the end of the monsoon period is likely to facilitate pirates’ boarding activities. Ships operating in the area are advised to increase vigilance. There remains a significant likelihood of Pirate Action Groups deploying in search of opportunities. Pirates are likely operating from mother vessels and scouting for targets in areas with favourable sea conditions for boarding. These remote locations are less likely to be patrolled by international forces. Pirates typically approach vessels to assess the presence of armed security teams onboard before attempting to board. There were only 3 security incidents in the region in February.
Maritime Incidents
1. Arabian Sea. 23 Feb 2024:
A vessel reported sighting three small craft each with three persons onboard as well as one large craft. The group was sighted approximately 175nm east of Ras Al Hadd, Oman. The reporting vessel assessed the sighting as suspicious and the craft could be a possible pirate action group.
2. The Somali Basin. 02 Feb 2024:
The Iranian fishing vessel OMARI which had previously been hijacked by Somali pirates was intercepted and the crew released after the Indian Navy boarded the vessel.
3. The Somali Basin. 07 Feb 2024:
An Iranian fishing vessel the AL AMIN which was hijacked by Somali criminals was boarded by unknown persons and the crew were released.
4. The Persian Gulf. 27 Feb 2024:
UKMTO received a report from the Master of a commercial vessel that 3 small boats, dark in colour, with 2 persons onboard followed his vessel for 1 hour. The incident took place 90nm east of Ras Al Mishab, Saudi Arabia. No weapons or uniforms were visible. The vessel and crew were reported to be safe.
4. Regional Report: West Africa and Gulf of Guinea
Monthly Activity
The reduction in the number of maritime security incidents in the Gulf of Guinea regions continued during February with just two events recorded. Piracy remains under control although the underlying reasons behind this are unclear, however, several threats remain prevalent, Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking and migration by sea are all on the increase.
Maritime Incidents
1. Liberia. 16 Feb 2024:
Unknown persons boarded a berthed product tanker in Monrovia Port, stole ship’s property and escaped. The theft was noticed after the vessel sailed.
2. Guinea Bissau. 20 Feb 2024, Luanda Anchorage:
The MDAT-GOG reported that a commercial ship had reported being approached suspiciously by a three small craft approximately 150nm west of Guinea Bissau. The vessel applied BMP 5 measures and the craft aborted the approach. The vessel and crew were reported to be safe.
5. Regional Report: South East Asia
Monthly Activity
According to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP) there has been a reduction in the number of maritime security incidents reported in the Singapore and Malacca straits in 2024. This trend continued in February. Elsewhere in the region boarding and robbery while at anchor remain the primary security threats to commercial ships.
Maritime Incidents
1. Philippines. 01 Feb 2024:
Manila Bay Anchorage, Philippines. Five robbers boarded an anchored container ship stole ship’s stores and escaped. The alarm was raised, fire hoses activated and a search was carried out. The Incident was reported to VTMS Manila and upon anchoring, the Philippines Coast Guard approached the ship and carried out an inspection.
2. Singapore. 19 Feb 2024:
Singapore Strait, four robbers armed with guns boarded a general cargo ship while underway. The alarm was raised resulting in the robbers escaping with stolen engine spare parts. The incident was reported to Singapore VTIS. All crew members were reported to be safe.
3. Indonesia. 19 Feb 2024:
Panjang Anchorage, two robbers armed with long knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier and entered the engine room. The robbers were spotted by a duty crew member who managed to evade being captured and raised the alarm, but the robbers escaped with ship’s engine spares. The incident was reported to the port authorities.
6. Regional Report: South America and Caribbean
Monthly Activity
Petty theft and violent crimes against pleasure craft continues throughout the Islands of the Caribbean. The were no significant incidents reported in South American ports during February.
Maritime Incidents:
1. Caribbean. 18 Feb 2024:
St Vincent and Grenadines, a catamaran that had been anchored off Grand Anse, Grenada, was found abandoned off the coast of St. Vincent. The yacht was found to have been ransacked and it was apparent a violent act had taken place. A large amount of blood were found in the master stateroom and the two owners were missing. Also missing (later recovered) was the yachts dinghy. Many of the owner’s personal items were also missing. Passports found onboard allowed authorities to contact the victims’ emergency nominees. Three suspects were taken into custody in St. Vincent on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 21. The three had previously being held In custody in Grenada on charges including robbery w/violence, rape, attempted rape, indecent assault and causing harm before escaping from a holding cell and using the catamaran later found in St Vincent, to leave Grenada. There are no details of the whereabouts of the missing owners.
2. Caribbean. 10 Feb 2024:
Grenada, a RIB dinghy and 70HP Yamaha engine was stolen from a catamaran anchored at Sandy island.
3. Caribbean. 05 Feb 2024:
Saint Martin, video surveillance recorded the theft of Carolina skiff and outboard motor from the Island Water World dock. It was recovered the next day in good condition.