Maritime Incident Report: January 2021
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: January 2021, covering maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, West Africa, South East Asia and South America, for the period 01/01/21 – 31/01/21.
Executive Summary:
• Crew member killed and 15 kidnapped as a container ship is boarded 98nm NW of Sao Tome GoG.
• Container ship fired upon by pirates in a small craft about 120nm SSW of Brass Nigeria.
• Vessel boarded by Iranian authorities in the Persian Gulf.
• Limpet mine found attached to the hull of an MT at anchor in the Northern Persian Gulf.
Global Update:
As we move into 2021 West Africa continues to be the predominant focal point of piracy and kidnapping for ransom in the maritime domain, while in East Africa Somali piracy remains suppressed and 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 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
Tactical Situation
Kidnap for Ransom has become the modus operandi for criminals in this region, 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. The furthest crew kidnapping in 2020 occurred almost 200 nautical miles (NM) from land with the average kidnapping incident taking place over 60NM from shore.
Threat Assessment: HIGH – Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting in and around West Africa.
Monthly Activity Report
There has been no let-up of incidents in the Gulf of Guinea this month with new reports of assaults on ships in the region, including boarding and kidnapping. In response, the EU announced its’s ‘Co-ordinated Maritime Presence’ initiative to tackle piracy in the Gulf of Guinea but fell short of deploying any more warships to the area. More positive news came as the Ukrainian government stepped in to obtain the release of eight crew members abducted from the bulk carrier Stevia in mid-December 2020.
Fig 2: Map of Incidents within West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, during the period 01/01/21 – 31/01/21.
West Africa and Gulf of Guinea Incidents
1. APPROACH
Date and Time: 08 Jan 21 – 1545UTC
Location: PSN N 03 38 00 E 6 17 00
Details: A skiff transporting eight individuals approached a bulk carrier, with the vessel’s crew mustering and performing evasive manoeuvres. The bulk carrier was reported as being safe.
2. ATTACK
Date and Time: 13 Jan 21 – 2000UTC
Location: PSN N 02 28 00 E 5 38 00:
Details: Container ship fired upon by pirates in a small craft about 120nm SSW of Brass. A Singapore flagged container ship travelling from Tema (Ghana) to Cameroon has been approached by a skiff 150NM southwest of Bonny. The crew is reported to have retreated to the citadel with indications the vessel has been ‘attacked’.
3. APPROACH
Date and Time: 21 Jan 21 – 1108UTC
Location: PSN N 03 31 08 E 6 29 59
Details: Container ship reports suspicious approach 65nm SW of Bonny. A small craft came to within 0.3nm of the container ship and then reduced speed and withdrew following a warning shot from security personnel.
4. ATTACK
Date and Time: 22 Jan 21 – 1115UTC
Location: PSN N 01 28 33 E 4 11 66
Details: Possible pirate attack targeting Corcovado LNG vessel approximately 158nm west of Sao Tome. The vessel was heading south en route from Bonny LGA terminal. The vessel is likely to have employed evasive manoeuvres to evade attack.
5. KIDNAP
Date and Time: 23 Jan 21 – 0535UTC
Location: PSN N 01 04 13 E 5 14 17
Details: 1 crew member killed and 15 kidnapped after a container ship is boarded 98nm NW of Sao Tome. An unknown number of suspects successfully boarded the MV Mozart as the crew were mustering in the citadel.
6. APPROACH
Date and Time: 26 Jan 21 – 1030UTC
Location: PSN N 01 84 05 E 03 41 00
Details: MV SEAFRONTIER approached by skiff 164nm SW of Agbami, Nigeria. A single skiff approached to within 3nm of the vessel. The vessel was reportedly under security escort when approached. The vessel increased its speed from 13.7 to 14.2 knots before reducing speed once the incident ended. Vessel and crew reported safe.
7. BOARDED
Date and Time: 30 Jan 21 – 0424UTC
Location: PSN N 02 55 00 E 01 56 00
Details: Reports received that the MV ROWAYTON EAGLE had been boarded 200nm off the coast of Ghana. The crew was reportedly mustered to the citadel. No further information has been reported.
Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean
Tactical 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
As the prevailing Indian Ocean NE Monsoon starts to abate the opportunity for local fishing communities to return sea to improves and is usually associated with an increase in reported sightings of ‘Pirate’ activity. Two incidents this month in the Western Gulf of Aden are most likely attributable to this local Pattern of Life (POL) activity.
Fig 4: Map of Incidents within the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, during the period 01/01/21 – 31/01/21.
Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean Incidents
1. APPROACH
Date and Time: 14 Jan 21 – 0849UTC
Location: PSN N 12 06 E 44 25
Details: An MV reported being approached by one speed boat with 4 POB and a ladder was sighted.
2. BOARDED
Date and Time: 17 Jan 21 – 0900UTC
Location: PSN N 11 45 E 45 00
Details: UKMTO issued an Advisory notice having received several reports of a concentration of small boats approaching vessels in the vicinity of ITRC Point A. Closest point of Approach (CPA) varied between 1-2 Cables to 1.5nm.
Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz
Tactical 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 to 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 forces as they transit the Strait of Hormuz and although there is nothing directly threatening about this situation it has caused concern and unease in the merchant shipping community. An incident was reported of a limpet mine being attached to an oil tanker while transferring oil at the KAZ anchorages off Basra Iraq. A South Korean MT was boarded and taken to an Iranian anchorage accused of causing a maritime pollution event, however, it has been subsequently revealed that it is likely being detained due to a financial dispute between the two countries.
Fig 6: Map of Incidents within the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, during the period 01/01/21 – 31/01/21.
Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz Incidents
1. ATTACK
Date and Time: 31 Dec 20 – 0700UTC
Location: PSN N 29 57 E 48 79
Details: The Liberian-flagged oil tanker MT Pola was conducting a ship-to-ship transfer with the MT Nordic Freedom when a likely deliberately-placed Limpet Mine was discovered attached to the MT Pola’s hull. The MT had been at anchor at the KAZ anchorage.
2. BOARDED
Date and Time: 4 Jan 21 – 0733UTC
Location: PSN N 26 36 E 05 60
Details: The South Korean flagged Chemical Tanker Hankuk Chemi has been detained in the Strait of Hormuz by the IRGC Navy. The tanker was inbound to Fujairah from Al Jubail when it was reportedly detained and transported to “Iranian ports”. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps announced that it has stopped a South Korean-flagged ship for environmental pollution in the Persian Gulf, adding that the ship has been taken to an Iranian port for examination.
Fig 7: Image of the deliberately-placed Limpet Mine that was discovered attached to the MT Pola’s hull.
Yemen and the Southern Red Sea
Tactical Situation
A conflict has existed in the Yemen since 2015 that has on occasion spilled 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 by military sources.
Threat Assessment: MODERATE/LOW – Vessels are advised to exercise caution and remain vigilant.
Monthly Activity Report
While conflict continues on land 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 s trait.
Yemen and Southern Red Sea Incidents
Nothing to Report.
South-East Asia
Tactical Situation
Maritime crime in SE Asia and 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 31in 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
3 incidents of significance were reported this week by ReCAAP, highlighting concerns regarding the rise of armed robbery against vessels underway in the Singapore Strait.
Fig 10: Map of Incidents within South-East Asia, during the period 01/01/21 – 31/01/21.
South-East Asia Incidents
1. ARMED ROBBERY
Date and Time: 28 Jan 21 – 1345UTC
Location: PSN N 01 16 15 E 104 16 72
Details: A Liberian flagged bulk carrier was boarded while underway, 10 unauthorised persons armed with knives were sighted in the engine room. The alarm was raised, and crew mustered.
2. ARMED ROBBERY
Date and Time: 29 Jan 21 – 1421UTC
Location: PSN N 0116.95 E 10418.92
Details: While underway a Liberian flagged general cargo vessel was boarded by 3 unauthorised persons armed with knives were sighted in the engine room. The alarm was raised and crew mustered. A search on board the ship was conducted. At about 0322hrs, the master updated the Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) that the search was completed with no further sighting of the three unauthorised persons.
3. BOARDED
Date and Time: 31 Jan 21 – 0535UTC
Location: PSN N 03 56.2 E 98.00 45
Details: While at anchor a Bahamas flagged LNG Tanker was boarded by 2 unauthorised persons, one of them was armed with a knife. All the crew took refuge in the citadel and reported the incident to Belawan authorities.
For More Information
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