Maritime Incident Report: January 2022

Executive Summary

▪ Annual maritime security figures released for 2021
▪ Chemical tanker hijacked and cargo stolen in the Gulf of Guinea
▪ Robberies reported in the Singapore Strait
▪ Two incidents reported in the Southern Red Sea linked to the Yemen conflict

Figures released by the International Chamber of Commerce- International Maritime Bureau (ICC-IMB), show a significant drop in the number of maritime piracy and armed robbery/attacks reported in 2021 with 132 incidents recorded globally, the lowest level since 1994. In the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) maritime crime incidents dropped overall from 81 in 2020 to 34 in 2021. While maritime kidnappings dropped from 130 in 2020 to 57 in 2021, the GoG still accounts for 55% of all kidnappings reported worldwide in 2021. A combination of better inter-state cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea, new counter-piracy initiatives such as Nigeria’s ‘Deep Blue’ project and an increased international naval presence, appear to have restricted Pirate Action Group activities, particularly in Nigerian waters. What was evident, however, was a widening of the geographical area where maritime security events took place, incidents involving boarding and kidnap of crew increased in the East of the GoG as Nigerian based PAGs were forced to look for safer regions in which to operate. The waters around Sao Tome and Principe, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea all saw a rise in criminal activity while in the West of the region; the number of attacks was reduced, particularly in Ghana, Togo and Benin. 

In East Africa, Somali piracy remains suppressed with no incidents recorded in 2021. The complex threats that have emerged over the last 5 years in the Gulf of Aden, Southern Red Sea and Yemen continue to cause concern. In 2021, Iran and Israel engaged in a number of retaliatory strikes against vessels flagged to their respective nations culminating in the death of 2 crew members from an Israeli owned oil tanker, which was attacked by explosive-laden drones off the coast of Oman. In the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, regional tensions continue with Iranian forces maintaining pressure on International Maritime Forces engaged in operations to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels. In SE Asia, boarding and robbery incidents in the Singapore Strait rose from 23 in 2020 to 35 in 2021, this is a 50% increase in 2020 and the highest since 1992, elsewhere in the region there was an overall drop in incidents compared with 2020. 

The region of the world with the highest growth rate of maritime crime was South America and the Caribbean Arc, ports in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and also Mexico and Haiti in the Caribbean, were all affected by incidents of boarding and robbery at sea. In 2021, 36 incidents were reported in the region compared to 30 in 2020, with 6 crew threatened, 4 taken hostage and 2 assaulted. 31 vessels were boarded in total, the majority at anchor; figures for the region include 3 attempted boardings and 2 vessels being fired upon. Incidents in the Peruvian anchorage of Callao more than doubled from 8 in 2020 to 18 in 2021. 

1. Regional Monthly Report: West Africa and Gulf of Guinea

Monthly Activity

One vessel was reported to have been hijacked and cargo stolen approximately 80nm off the city of Abidjan in the Ivory Coast. This followed a warning that a potential Pirate Action Group had put to sea from Ghana using a local fishing boat with a large outboard motor, the group were not thought to be Ghanaians. 

Maritime Incidents

1. Attempted Boarding – 29 Jan 22 0210UTC: Psn 08 43 34S – 13 16 24E: Luanda anchorage, Angola  
Two crew boats alongside each other were boarded by three unauthorised persons while at anchor. A crew member on routine rounds noticed the unauthorised persons and immediately raised the alarm. Upon hearing the alarm and seeing the crew were alerted, the intruders escaped with their accomplices in a canoe. Nothing was reported stolen.  

2. Vessel Attacked/Hijacked – 25 Jan 22 1500UTC: Psn 04 22 51N – 04 10 21W
The MDAT-GOG reported that contact with the product vessel MT B Ocean had been lost on the evening of the 24th January 22. Later reports said that 9-11 pirates armed with guns boarded and hijacked a drifting tanker. The crew were taken hostage and detained initially on the bridge but later moved to the crew mess room. All communication and navigation equipment was switched off and the Bosun was instructed to paint over the vessel name written on top of the bridge. The pirates were heard communicating with another vessel. They then navigated the tanker using their own GPS equipment to rendezvous with the offtake vessel. While en-route the Bosun was told to prepare the manifold. Once the tanker was alongside the offtake vessel the Chief Officer and Bosun were told to commence discharge operations. After around six hours the cargo operations were stopped. The pirates disembarked and escaped with part of the tanker’s cargo as well crew cash, personal belongings and ship’s property before escaping. All the crew reported safe. 

3. Boarding/Theft – 23 Jan 22 0025UTC: Psn 08 43 34S – 13 16 24E: Luanda, Angola  
Two robbers boarded an anchored crew boat, stole ships equipment and escaped with their accomplices in a canoe. Port authorities were notified. 

4. Boarding – 09 Jan 22 0500UTC: Psn 06 21 1N – 10 47 8W: Monrovia, Liberia 
Robbers boarded a berthed tanker and stole the ship’s property and escaped. The theft was discovered by the duty officer on routine rounds. The incident was reported to the Port Authorities and local agent. 

2. Regional Monthly Report: Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean

Monthly Activity

Two suspicious approaches were reported in the region this month; both are thought likely to be the local ‘pattern of life’ activity. 

Maritime Incidents

1. Suspicious Approach – 20 Jan 22 1310UTC: Psn 12 09N – 04 41 9E
A chemical tanker reported that three small boats were seen acting suspiciously and an additional larger vessel came within 3nm. The smaller craft passed the CT with a CPA of 1nm. The master reported seeing a ladder on one of the small boats. 

2. Suspicious Approach – 11 Jan 22 0348UTC: Psn 12 51N – 05 94 7E
UKMTO reported that a merchant vessel was approached by 8 unidentified small craft in the Gulf of Oman. The craft approached the vessel but later departed the area. 

3. Regional Monthly Report: Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz

Monthly Activity

The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) and EMA SOH continue to patrol the area in a reassurance role. UKMTO issued a number of notices relating to regional military exercises and live firing events which can be viewed on their website at UKMTO.org. The Yemen Houthi rebels, launched drone and missile attacks on targets in Abu Dhabi close to port facilities, although they were not thought to be the target of the attacks. 

Maritime Incidents

1. Missile Attack – 24 Jan 22 0330UTC: Psn 24 27N – 54 21E 
The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that two ballistic missiles were intercepted over the Al Dhafer Air Base in Abu Dhabi. Shrapnel was reported to have fallen over areas of Abu Dhabi. The Yemen based Houthi Rebels were blamed for the attack. 

2. Drone Attack – 17 Jan 22: Psn 24 27 31N – 54 21 38E 
A drone attack claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted a key oil facility in Abu Dhabi, killing three people and starting a fire at Abu Dhabi’s international airport. 

4. Regional Monthly Report: Yemen and Southern Red Sea

Monthly Activity

There were two incidents of note in the region this month and both, it appears, are linked to the conflict in Yemen. A UAE flagged transport vessel was boarded and detained by Houthi naval units near Hodiedah, in what appears to be an act of retaliation, the Saudi led coalition prevented an oil tanker from delivering its cargo to the rebel-held port. 

Maritime Incidents

1. Maritime Incident – 05 Jan 22: Psn 15 15 53N – 42 34 20E 
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued an advisory stating that a vessel near Saleef port, north of Hodeidah had reported a suspicious approach by an unknown craft. Houthi rebels later reported that an oil tanker delivering cargo had been seized by Saudi coalition forces. 

2. Vessel Hijacked – 02 Jan 22 2150UTC: Psn 15 13 0N – 42 12 0E 
The UAE flagged landing craft RAWBEE was hijacked by Houthi naval forces 23nm west of Ras Isa marine terminal in Yemen. The Houthis said the vessel was carrying military equipment destined for the Saudi coalition forces, The Saudis said the vessel was carrying medical supplies from Socotra Island. 

5. Regional Monthly Report: South East Asia

Monthly Activity

Ships transiting the Singapore Strait remain at risk as more incidence of boarding and theft were reported in the area this month. 

Maritime Incidents

1. Boarding/Theft – 30 Jan 22: Psn 01 10 41N – 103 28 7E: Singapore Strait 
An offshore supply vessel towing a oil rig was boarded 4.6nm NE of Karimun Kecil Island and robbed by armed intruders. 

2. Attempted Boarding – 10 Jan 22 1400UTC: Psn 01 13 46N – 103 32 09E: Singapore Strait
The Malaysia-flagged tanker MS CARLA, reported a sampan with five persons onboard attempted to board the vessel, while transiting in Traffic Crossing Area. 

3. Boarding/Theft – 08 Jan 22: Psn 01 16 31E – 104 16 32E: Singapore Strait
The IFC received information that an unauthorised boarding occurred onboard a Liberia-flagged Crude Oil Tanker, BLUE SEA, while transiting along eastbound lane of TSS. 

4. Boarding/Theft – 07 Jan 22 1842UTC: Psn 01 16 55N – 104 16 54E: Singapore Strait 
The crew onboard the tanker BOW SANTOS noticed four robbers armed with a long knife on the poop deck. The alarm was raised and the crew mustered resulting in the robbers escaping. A search was made throughout the tanker and nothing was reported stolen. 

5. Boarding/Theft – 06 Jan 22 (am): Psn 03 58 23S – 122 37 16E: Kendari, Indonesia 
A tanker identified as the SPOB Graha Dua Satu which was anchored near Kendari, was boarded by at least six masked suspects using a speedboat and armed with machetes. All eight crew members were initially tied up in the mess room before being made to take the tanker to a specified location where a second vessel arrived and was used to siphon fuel from the tanker. The suspects also robbed the crew of valuables including electronics and petty cash before fleeing the scene. 

6. Boarding/Theft – 06 Jan 22 0338UTC: Psn 01 12 8N – 103 33 47E: Singapore Strait 
A barge was being pulled by a tug boat when a suspect was spotted onboard the barge. The suspect fled the scene 12 minutes later. Some scrap metal was stolen from the barge. 

6. Regional Monthly Report: South America and Caribbean

Monthly Activity

Reports of boarding and theft from vessels at anchor continue in the region and appear to be growing more widespread and increasingly violent. 

Incidents:

1. Boarding/Theft – 25 Jan 22 0610UTC: Psn 10 16 3N – 64 34 7W: Guanta Anchorage, Venezuela 
Two robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier. The alarm was raised and the crew mustered. Seeing the crew were alerted, the robbers escaped with stolen property and stores. The incident was reported to the Harbour Master and Coast Guard via local agent. 

2. Boarding – 23 Jan 22 0040UTC: Psn 12 00 8S – 77 128W: Callao Anchorage, Peru 
Three unidentified persons boarded an anchored bulk carrier. The alarm was raised and the crew mustered. Upon hearing the alarm and seeing the crew were alerted, the unauthorised persons escaped. A search was made throughout the ship, but nothing was reported stolen. 

3. Boarding/Armed Robbery – 10 Jan 22 0915UTC: Psn 00 01 9W – 50 59 7W: Macapa Anchorage, Brazil 
The crew on routine rounds on board an anchored bulk carrier noticed three robbers armed with guns and knives and immediately informed the Duty Officer. The alarm was raised and the crew mustered, the robbers pointed their guns at the mustered crew as they lowered ship’s stores into a waiting boat. The incident was reported to local agent.