Maritime Incident Report: November 2021
Executive Summary
▪ Suspected pirates killed by Danish Forces in the Gulf of Guinea
▪ Iranian navy board and detain vessel suspected of fuel trafficking in the Persian Gulf
▪ MDAT-GOG release several Warnings of an increased piracy threat in the Gulf of Guinea
▪ Vessel boarded and crew kidnapped in Gulf of Guinea
▪ Oil workers killed by ‘Pirates’ in Bayelsa Nigeria
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 ninety-seven 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.
1. Regional Monthly Report: West Africa and Gulf of Guinea
Monthly Activity
There were several warnings released by the MDAT- GOG this month reporting a possible increase in piracy activity. In one major incident, five crew were reported kidnapped when the cargo vessel Cap Saint George (IMO 7312529) was boarded. The same vessel was involved in a similar incident in Dec 2020 where again five crew members were abducted. The vessel was reported to be en route from Libreville to Lome when the attack took place. The whereabouts of the kidnapped personnel are unknown. A second major incident was reported on the Danish Military Webpage ‘Forsvaret’ (The Defence Force). The report stated that the Danish Frigate Esbern Snare intercepted a fast-moving speedboat with 8 suspected pirates on board. The Frigate lowered an RHIB and the crew fired warning shots at the skiff, to which the pirates fired directly at the RHIB. Danish forces returned fire, hitting 5 of the pirates and killing 4. The suspect vessel was sunk in the firefight but the Danes recovered all 8 pirates, the surviving 4 are being held in custody. No Danish personnel were injured. In addition to these incidents, two events were reported in the Bayelsa region of the Niger Delta, in which 3 oil production workers were killed, detailed below.
Maritime Incidents
1. Boarding – 01 Nov 0835UTC: Psn 04 24 05N – 06 15 05E: Nigeria
A passenger craft was boarded by armed robbers while underway in the Bayelsa state waterways. The robbers stole the personal effects of the passengers and escaped with the passenger craft’s engine. Nigerian authorities dispatched a patrol boat to render assistance. All passengers were reported safe.
2. Suspicious Approach – 07 Nov 1305UTC: Psn 00 59 0N – 06 32 00E
An MV spotted a small craft approaching at 6nm and travelling at 23kts. The craft followed the MV for 5nm before slowing down and leaving the area.
3. Boarding/Kidnap – 11 Nov 0100UTC: Psn 03 35 15N – 05 48 7E (approx)
The MDAT GoG issued Advisory 001/NOV/2021 regarding a report received from local authorities that the cargo vessel Cap Saint George IMO 7312529 was boarded and five crew kidnapped.
4. Maritime incident – 24 Nov: Psn 02 49 11N – 05 52 44E (approx)
Danish Naval forces killed 4 pirates in the Gulf of Guinea south of Nigeria, the crew of the frigate Esbern Snare responded to reports of an increased risk of piracy. They spotted a speeding motorboat with eight suspicious men on board and during attempts by the soldiers to board the ship, an exchange of fire followed leaving four pirates dead. The pirate ship sank. All eight pirates were taken aboard the Esbern Snare.
5. Attack/Kidnap – 28 Nov 0600UTC: Psn 04 30 17N – 06 18 4E
Nigerian news media reported that two oil installations were attacked by what they describe as, ‘Sea Pirates’. The assailants reportedly shot dead two staff of the AGIP Oil Company and a member of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. The oil workers were travelling in a boat at the time of the attack. Seven other maintenance workers are said to have been abducted.
6. Boarding/theft – 12 Nov 0330UTC: Psn 06 2 43E – 12 20 5E
Robbers boarded an anchored offshore supply ship and stole ship’s stores – Soyo Anchorage Angola.
2. Regional Monthly Report: Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean
Monthly Activity
There is nothing of note to report in the region this month, however, one incident of theft from an anchored vessel was reported in India, elsewhere piracy remains suppressed and no reports of suspicious or sightings of suspect vessels have been received.
Maritime Incidents
1. Boarding/Theft – 18 Nov 0820UTC: Psn 22 55 20N – 70 12 31E
Theft from a bulk carrier was reported at the Kandla Anchorage. Two individuals boarded the bulk carrier from a skiff. The duty crew noticed the suspects and the alarm was raised and a search started. During the search, the crew found three padlocks were broken and the Bosun’s store had articles missing. No suspects were found onboard. The local authorities were alerted.
3. Regional Monthly Report: Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz
Monthly Activity
Ships continue to be contacted and occasionally boarded by Iranian naval forces as they transit the Strait of Hormuz, which has caused concern and unease in the merchant shipping community. 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. A vessel was boarded and detained by Iranian forces, the vessel was suspected of illegal fuel smuggling.
Maritime Incidents
1. Boarding – 20 Nov 0010UTC: Psn 26 50 8N – 52 18 14E
The Iranian Navy seized a foreign ship for alleged fuel trafficking in the Persian Gulf. No further information was received.
4. Regional Monthly Report: Yemen and Southern Red Sea
Monthly Activity
Commercial ships are advised to increase vigilance when transiting this 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. The Saudi Navy intercepted and destroyed two Waterborne Improvised Explosive Devices (WBIED) off the Saudi Red Sea port of Jazan.
Maritime Incidents
1. Maritime Incident – 22 Nov 0910UTC: Psn 17 08 55N – 42 20 33E
Saudi forces claimed to have ‘neutralised’ two remote-controlled boats packed with explosives near the port of Jazan.
5. Regional Monthly Report: South East Asia
Monthly Activity
More vessels were boarded in the Singapore Strait this month although this was a reduction on the amount reported in October.
Maritime Incidents
1. Boarding – 03 Nov 1702UTC: Psn 01 14 9N – 104 01 7E: Singapore Strait
The crew of a bulk carrier noticed four unauthorized persons attempting to enter the steering gear room. The Alarm was raised and the crew mustered resulting in the persons escaping, the crew were reported to be safe. Nothing was reported stolen.
2. Boarding/Theft – 12 Nov 1255UTC: Psn 01 10 16N – 103 30 35E
A theft was reported from a barge being towed in the Singapore Strait off Jurong Island. A suspect was spotted getting off the barge, the alarm was sounded and a search was conducted. No suspects were found but one coil from a towing rope and one coil from a mooring rope was found to have been stolen. The local authorities in Singapore and Indonesia were alerted.
3. Boarding – 17 Nov 0850UTC: Psn 01 19 13N – 104 18 11E
3 suspects fled when the alarm was raised after they boarded a bulk carrier in the Singapore Strait. Nothing was reported stolen.
4. Boarding – 21 Nov 1633UTC: Psn 01 17 41N – 104 11 58E
There was an attempted theft from a bulk carrier in the Singapore Strait off Bintan Island. Two suspects were spotted at the stern of the ship and the alarm was raised. A search was conducted but the suspects were not found. Nothing was stolen and no one was injured. Local authorities of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia were alerted.
5. Boarding/Theft – 24 Nov: Psn 06 0 56N – 106 48 46E
It has been reported that robbers managed to board an anchored container ship at Jakarta anchorage. The robbers stole engine spares before escaping unnoticed. Local Authorities have been informed.
6. Boarding – 24 Nov 1620UTC: Psn 1 14 60’N – 104 02 87E
A Cyprus flagged bulk carrier, ATALANTI SB, reported 3 unauthorised personnel boarded the vessel when transiting along Eastbound Lane of traffic separation scheme in the Singapore Strait. All crew are reported safe and accounted for and no items were stolen. The vessel requested assistance and returned to Singapore.
6. Regional Monthly Report: South America
Incidents:
1. Boarding/Theft – 09 Nov: Psn 12 00 6S – 77 12 59W
3 robbers boarded a vehicle carrier and escaped with ship’s stores in Callao anchorage Lima.