Maritime Incident Report: March 2024
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: March 2024 covers maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, Europe, West Africa, South East Asia and South America for the period 01/03/24 – 31/03/24.
Executive Summary
In March, Houthi attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden continued resulting in the first sinking of a merchant vessel and loss of crew lives. In the Indian Ocean piracy-related incidents surged with fishing vessels and commercial ships attacked and hijacked across the region. Ukraine continued to have military successes against Russian naval assets in the Black Sea, while China and the Philippines clashed over an ongoing dispute regarding the sovereignty of several Island groups in the South China Sea. Elsewhere the recent reduction in the number of maritime security incidents reported in the Gulf of Guinea and South America continued.
• The Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. In March there has been a notable surge in piracy-related incidents including 2 suspicious approaches, 4 fishing vessels hijacked and a commercial vessel taken by Somali pirates. Regional military authorities assess there is a Pirate Action Group (PAG) active off the north of Socotra Island and up to 3 other PAGs operating across the region.
• The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. According to the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA), in March there was a total of 40 incidents involving Houthi attempts to target commercial and naval vessels in the region, but it is important to note that only 5 vessels were hit during these attacks.
• Europe. Ukraine continued to target Russian warships in the ports of Crimea and reports suggest that at least 3 Russian vessels were sunk in March. Human migration in the Mediterranean Sea and the possibility of commercial ships being required to assist migrant boats in distress are likely to increase as weather conditions improve.
• West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. Piracy remains suppressed in the Gulf of Guinea with only 1 incident taking place in the region which involved a vessel being boarded by robbers in Tincan, Nigeria.
• The South China Sea. Chinese and Philippines coastguard vessels collided during an incident near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. In the Singapore Strait, a vessel was boarded by armed robbers.
• South America and the Caribbean Sea. An incident was reported of shots being fired at a commercial vessel operating in the port of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, during the recent increase in civil unrest and violence in the island nation. Elsewhere, petty theft and violent crime against pleasure craft continue throughout the Islands of the Caribbean. The were no significant incidents reported in South American mainland ports during March.
1. Regional Report: The Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea
Monthly Activity
In March there has been a notable surge in piracy-related incidents including 2 suspicious approaches, 4 fishing vessels hijacked and a commercial vessel taken by Somali pirates. Regional military authorities assess there is a Pirate Action Group (PAG) active off the north of Socotra Island and up to 3 other PAGs operating across the region.
Maritime Incidents
1. The Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. 12 Mar 2024:
The UKMTO released a report regarding an incident 600nm east of Mogadishu, Somalia involving an attack and boarding of a commercial vessel. The Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier ABDULLAH was boarded by multiple persons from two craft, one large and one small. The vessel was taken by the pirates and is currently anchored 35nm south of Eyl, Somalia.
2. The Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. 20 Mar 2024:
The MSCHOA reported a Suspicious Approach on the vessel MV NEW LEONIDES approximately 93nm northeast of Socotra Island in the Arabian Sea. The master reported the sighting of a small craft acting suspiciously 0.3nm from the vessel. Ladders were sighted on the small craft, but no weapons were seen and 7 people were said to be on board. The merchant vessel increased speed and made evasive manoeuvres. The armed security team on board the merchant vessel fired a warning shot at the small craft which stopped the approach and left the area after 20 minutes.
3. The Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. 21 Mar 2024:
The UKMTO has released a report regarding an incident 102nm southeast of Nishtun, Yemen. The Master of the oil tanker YAMILAH III reported that one small craft with four persons on board approached within approximately one cable of the vessel. The ship’s Armed Security Team and the small craft occupants exchanged small arms fire.
4. The Somali Basin. 02 Mar 2024:
An unnamed Iranian fishing vessel was hijacked in the vicinity of Jiifle, Somalia. Local sources said the vessel was taken by local criminals to be used to conduct piracy operations.
5. The Somali Basin. 14 Mar 2024:
The bulk carrier MV RUEN which had been held by Somalian pirates since 14 Dec 2023, set sail from the coast of Somalia. It was assessed by MSCHOA that the ship was going to be used as a mothership to conduct piracy. On 14 March, the RUEN was intercepted by elements of the Indian Navy, the vessel was boarded and reportedly, 35 pirates were captured. The crew were reported to be safe.
4. The Somali Basin. 28 Mar 2024:
The Iranian fishing vessel AL KAMBER 786 was hijacked but later released after the Indian Navy conducted a rescue mission resulting in the capture of 9 Somali pirates.
2. Regional Report: Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea
Monthly Activity
According to the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA), in March there was a total of 40 incidents involving Houthi attempts to target commercial and naval vessels in the region, but it is important to note that only 5 vessels were hit during these attacks.
Due to the high number of incidents in this region during March, this report will take the form of a consolidated list of confirmed incidents where ships were impacted by Houthi-launched aerial weapons. It does not, for example, include missile or drone interceptions, UAV sightings or vessels hailed on VHF by ‘Houthi’ authorities.
Maritime Incidents
1. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 02 Mar 2024:
The bulk carrier RUBYMAR which had been damaged by a missile strike on 18 February sank 20nm west of Mocha, Yemen.
2. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 04 Mar 2024:
The UKMTO issued a report regarding an explosion on a container vessel 91nm Southeast of Aden, Yemen. The vessel which was later identified as MSC SKY II was hit by a missile which caused a small fire that was extinguished, and the vessel continued its passage.
3. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 06 Mar 2024:
The bulk carrier TRUE CONFIDENCE was involved in an incident 80nm south of Aden, Yemen. The Master reported his vessel was attacked and struck by 2 missiles which resulted in a fire. The ship was later evacuated, and the fire was brought under control with the assistance of the Indian Navy. 3 crew members of the ship’s crew were killed in the attack and 4 others were seriously injured. The vessel remains afloat but is severely damaged.
4. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 15 Mar 2024:
The UKMTO reported an incident 76nm west of Hodeidah, Yemen. A commercial vessel reported that they have been struck by a missile and the vessel has sustained some damage. Following a daylight inspection of the vessel the Master reported that the vessel had not been hit and had not received any damage. The crew is reported as safe and the vessel is proceeding to the next port of call.
5. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 23 Mar 2024:
The oil tanker HUANG PU was stuck by a Houthi-launched missile 23nm west of Mocha, Yemen. A resulting fire was successfully extinguished by the crew. The vessel and crew were reported safe.
3. Regional Report: Europe
Monthly Activity
Ukraine continued to target Russian warships in the ports of Crimea and reports suggest that at least 3 Russian vessels were sunk in March. Human migration in the Mediterranean Sea and the possibility of commercial ships being required to assist migrant boats in distress are likely to increase as weather conditions improve.
Maritime Incidents
1. Black Sea. 05 Mar 2024:
Ukraine said it used sea drones to attack and destroy the Russian patrol vessel SERGEI KOTOV was on operations near the Kerch Straits in the Black Sea. The vessel was sunk and there are reports that 7 crew members were killed and 27 wounded.
2. Back Sea. 24 March 2024:
Ukraine said it attacked and destroyed 2 large amphibious ships the YAMAL and AZOV using a combination of air-launched and cruise missiles in an attack on the port facilities in the city of Sevastopol, Crimea. There are no reports of casualties.
The Mediterranean Sea:
Human migration in the Mediterranean Sea and the possibility of commercial ships being required to assist migrant boats in distress are likely to increase as weather conditions improve.
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.
4. Regional Report: West Africa and Gulf of Guinea
Monthly Activity
Piracy remains suppressed in the Gulf of Guinea with only 1 incident taking place in the region which involved a vessel being boarded by robbers in Tincan, Nigeria. .
Maritime Incidents
1. Nigeria. 14 Mar 2024:
An attempted robbery took place on a vessel anchored at Tincan, Nigeria. The intruders left the vessel after the alarm was raised by the crew. One crew member was injured during the incident. Port authorities later assessed the intruders were attempting to stow away on the ship.
5. Regional Report: South East Asia
Monthly Activity
Chinese and Philippines coastguard vessels collided during an incident near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. In the Singapore Strait, a vessel was boarded by armed robbers.
Maritime Incidents
1. Singapore. 03 Mar 2024:
Singapore Strait. The crew on routine rounds onboard an underway bulk carrier noticed two unauthorised persons onboard. The general alarm was raised and hearing the alarm and seeing the crew was alerted, the intruders jumped overboard and escaped empty-handed.
3. The South China Sea. 05 Mar 2024:
The Second Thomas Shoal. Chinese and Philippine Coast Guard vessels collided in a disputed area of the South China Sea. 4 Filipino crew members were injured during the high-seas confrontation. Chinese Coast Guard ships and accompanying vessels blocked Philippine vessels attempting to re-supply the islands.
6. Regional Report: South America and Caribbean
Monthly Activity
An incident was reported of shots being fired at a commercial vessel operating in the port of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, during the recent increase in violence in the island nation. Elsewhere, petty theft and violent crime against pleasure craft continue throughout the Islands of the Caribbean. The were no significant incidents reported in South American mainland ports during March.
Maritime Incidents:
1. Caribbean. 02 Mar 2024:
An incident was reported of shots being fired at a commercial vessel operating in the port of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, during the recent increase in violence in the island nation. Elsewhere, petty theft and violent crime against pleasure craft continue throughout the Islands of the Caribbean. The were no significant incidents reported in South American mainland ports during March.
2. Caribbean. 07 Mar 2024:
Barbuda. Thieves stole a dinghy and outboard motor overnight from an anchored yacht while the owners slept on board. There were 2 lines securing the dinghy to the yacht. A police report was made.
3. Caribbean. 10 Mar 2024:
Port-au-Prince, Haiti. A general cargo ship was struck by small arms fire at the port terminal of Port-au-Prince. The vessel’s superstructure was hit and a decision was made to leave the port because of the security situation.
4. Caribbean. 17 Mar 2024:
Jost Van Dyke BVI. A dinghy and an outboard motor were stolen overnight from a yacht anchored in White Bay. The owner and guests were asleep on board at the time. Lines securing the dinghy to the yacht were removed. A report was made to the police and Coast Guard.