Maritime Incident Report: March 2021

Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: March 2021, covering maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, West Africa, South East Asia and South America, for the period 01/03/21 – 31/03/21.

Executive Summary:

• Container Ship EVER GIVEN blocks the Suez Canal
• Denmark to send frigate to the Gulf of Guinea for counter-piracy operations
• Nigeria, hostages released after ransom is paid to abductors.
• Attempted boarding of a bulk carrier off Sibutu Island, Philippines
• Israeli owned container vessel TORI struck by missile

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. This month the Islamic State insurgency in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, made world headlines as the insurgents attacked the town of Palma and threatened the nearby LNG terminal. Reports say that the insurgents hijacked 2 vessels and other vessels were forced to flee the area as the fighting spilled over into the maritime environment. Many people have been evacuated by sea using an assortment of craft including barges and ferries.
In South America, there has been a spate of theft from ships at anchor in Callao, Peru and Guayaquil, Ecuador (see incident reports).

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 on shore 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

In comparison with recent months, March has been relatively quiet with only two major incidents to report. On 7 March, Nigerian authorities announced that 14 crew of a Gabon-flagged, Chinese fishing vessel seized by pirates who had been held for a month were released after a ransom payment of USD 300,000 was paid for the group’s release. It is not clear who paid the ransom. The Gabon-registered vessel was seized by pirates near Port Gentil, Gabon on Feb 7, 6 Chinese, 3 Indonesian, 1 Gabonese, and 4 Nigerians were kidnapped. The vessel was identified a few days later near Bonny, Nigeria, the group were freed in a rural area in southeastern Nigeria, suggesting that the perpetrators were Nigeria-based. On 17 March Denmark announced that one of its naval frigates would join an anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Guinea. A spokesman said the ship will deploy in the autumn of 2021 to the western coast of Africa where it is going to contribute to the international operation against the pirates. The frigate is equipped with a SEAHAWK helicopter and it will be able to deploy special operation forces. On 17 March, De Poli Ship management announced that contact has been made with crew members who were kidnapped on March 11 from chemical tanker DAVIDE B in the Gulf of Guinea. The company said the hostages were together and doing well despite Major Incidents and Events – March 2021 Threat Assessment Vessels Attacked No Incidents to report HIGH Vessels Boarded 2 Incidents to report HIGH Vessels Approached No Incidents to report HIGH Seafarers Kidnapped No Incidents to report HIGH the difficult circumstances. The news has been conveyed to the next of kin of the crew who continue to be supported by the company.

Fig 2: Map of Incidents within West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, during the period 01/03/21 – 31/03/21.

West Africa and Gulf of Guinea Incidents

1. THEFT
Date and Time: 6 MAR 21 0500UTC
Location: 03°49 00N 09°25 00E
Details: Theft reported onboard a ship at the Douala Anchorage. The theft was discovered by the crew while conducting rounds. No further information was provided.

2. BOARDED
Date and Time: 11 MAR 21 1512UTC
Location: 02°48 00N 02°36 00E
Details: 9 armed suspects boarded a vessel 213nm south of Cotonou, Benin. There are reports that 15 of the 21 crew members were kidnapped by the suspects. The crew is made up of Filipino, Romanian, and Ukrainian sailors.

3. BOARDED
Date and Time: 14 MAR 21 0731UTC
Location: 02°58 00N 02°53 00E
Details: An offshore supply vessel boarded 208nm south of Lagos, reporting indicates that the perpetrators have left the vessel and all crew are safe and awaiting a nearby patrol vessel.

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

A container vessel was attacked by what was reported to be a missile in the Arabian Sea on route from Tanzania to India. 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 01/03/21 – 31/03/21.

Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean Incidents

1. ATTACK
Date and Time: 24 MAR 21 2356UTC
Location: 14°12 3N 59° 28 44E
Details: Israeli ship reportedly hit with a missile while sailing from Tanzania to India in the Arabian Sea the emergency alarm was raised. Reports claim that the missile was fired by Iran. The container ship LORI is Liberian flagged and was able to continue on its journey.

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.

Fig 8: Map of Incidents within the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, during the period 01/03/21 – 31/03/21.

Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz Incidents

1. BOARDED
Date and Time: 21 MAR 21 (am)
Location: 29°01 8N 50 41 15E
Details: An Iraqi boat boarded and stolen by pirates off Bushehr port, Iran. An Iraqi vessel identified as tugboat T-4 has reportedly been boarded and seized by ‘pirates’ after running aground seven miles north of Bushehr Port. The ship has been plundered and an $80,000 ransom demanded, for its return.

2. APPROACH
Date and Time: 22 MAR 21 0900UTC
Location: 26°20 00N 56 01 00E
Details: Suspicious approach reported 21 nautical miles north of Mina Saqr UAE. A small vessel with three masked men onboard approached the vessel. The crew and vessel are reported safe.

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 by military sources.

Threat Assessment: MODERATE/LOW – Vessels are advised to exercise caution and remain vigilant.

Monthly Activity Report

3 incidents were reported this month that are linked to the conflict in Yemen. A missile attack allegedly launched by Houthi rebels hit the port area of Jeddah and Saudi authorities reported that that had intercepted explosive-laden boats (WBIED) off Hodeidah and Al Salif in Yemen. Commercial ships are advised to increase vigilance when transiting the area and follow current guidance to stay as far west as possible from the Yemen coast, using the Western Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) around the Hanish Islands in the entrance to the Bab el Mandab strait.

Fig 10: Map of Incidents within Yemen and Southern Red Sea, during the period 01/03/21 – 31/03/21.

Yemen and Southern Red Sea Incidents

1. MISSILE LAUNCH
Date and Time: 3 MAR 21 (am)
Location: 21 62 70N 39 23 34E
Details: Yemen’s Houthi forces fired a missile at a Saudi Aramco facility in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea city of Jeddah.

2. EXPLOSIVE VESSEL
Date and Time: 17 MAR 21 (am)
Location: 14°57 1N 42 48 9E
Details: Saudi Coalition forces claim to have intercepted and destroyed a Houthi booby-trapped boat near As-Salif Yemen.

3. EXPLOSIVE VESSEL
Date and Time: 28 MAR 21 (am)
Location: 14°57 1N 42 48 9E
Details: Saudi forces destroy boats carrying explosives off Hodeidah. Two boats laden with explosives have been intercepted and destroyed by Saudi forces after being launched from Hodeidah.

South-East Asia

Regional Situation

Maritime crime in SE Asia, 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 onboard 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

Only 2 maritime security incidents of significance were reported in the region this month, there was an attack and attempted boarding of a bulk carrier in the Celebes Sea and an attempted robbery in the Singapore Strait.

Fig 12: Map of Incidents within South-East Asia, during the period 01/03/21 – 31/03/21.

South-East Asia Incidents

1. ATTACK
Date and Time: 3 MAR 21
Location: 04° 48 7N 119 30 22E
Details: Attempted boarding of a bulk carrier off Sibutu Island in the province of Tawi-Tawi. The ship was northbound when three suspects in a speedboat approached it. The suspects reportedly tried to board the bulk carrier. The crew and the ship are safe. Based on previous incidents of piracy in the region, including kidnappings, the suspects are likely members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, a terrorist group from the Philippines operating the province of Tawi-Tawi and Sulu primarily.

2. BOARDING
Date and Time: 25 MAR 21
Location: 01° 12 15N 104 36 32E
Details: Attempted theft reported onboard a bulk carrier northwest of Tanjung Pergam. A group of five suspects were spotted in the engine room of the bulk carrier, and the crew sounded the alarm. The suspects fled the ship. A search of the vessel found that nothing had been stolen. Authorities from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia were alerted.

South America

Threat Assessment: MODERATE/LOW – Vessels are advised to exercise caution and be aware of the rising threat of armed robbery.

Monthly Activity Report

Priavo Maritime Security has noticed an increase in the reporting of theft from vessels at anchorages or alongside in ports in South Americas’ western Pacific region over the last 12mths. A number of incidents have taken place in Callao Peru and Guayaquil Ecuador. This month both of these ports have been the subject of incidents involving theft and armed boardings.

Fig 14: Map of Incidents within South America, during the period 01/03/21 – 31/03/21.

South America Incidents

1. THEFT
Date and Time: 16 MAR 21 1830UTC
Location: 12° 00 23S 77 13 50W
Details: Theft reported onboard a bulk carrier at the Callao Anchorage. The thieves boarded the ship unnoticed and stole some of the ship’s property before fleeing the scene.

2. ARMED ROBBERY
Date and Time: 16 MAR 21 2000UTC
Location: 12° 50 37 77 13 33W
Details: An armed robbery was reported onboard an anchored bulk carrier at the Callao Anchorage. A group of eight suspects armed with knives, boarded the ship and took the Duty AB hostage. The suspects tied up the crew member and stole some ships stores before releasing the crew member and fleeing. The local authorities were alerted and the Coast Guard sent to the scene. No injuries were reported and no arrests have been made.

3. ARMED ROBBERY
Date and Time: 6 Mar 21 (pm)
Location: 02° 18 55S 79 57 27W
Details: Armed robbery reported on a container ship in the river passage of Guayaquil. The ship was boarded near buoy 66 while it was bound for Balboa. The suspects spent 40 minutes onboard the ship and robbed nine containers and stole a phone and a radio from one of the crew members. The suspects got off the ship near buoy 52 onboard two boats.

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