Maritime Incident Report: September 2023

Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: September 2023 covers maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, the Black Sea, West Africa, South East Asia and South America for the period 01/09/23 – 30/09/23.

Executive Summary

In our monthly regional overview of significant maritime events, we cover security incidents affecting shipping operations from around the globe.

• Gulf of Guinea. Only 2 incidents of note took place in the region this month which involved an armed robbery from a vessel in Lagos, Nigeria and another robbery incident in Luanda, Angola.
• Black Sea. The UK government released the following statement this week, ‘The UK assesses Russia is seeking to target civilian shipping travelling through Ukraine’s ‘humanitarian corridor’ to deter the export of Ukrainian grain’. This follows further military activity by Russia in Black Sea and Danube River ports which could potentially impact the security of commercial vessels and crews operating in those regions. 
• Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. A robbery took place on a vessel in Port Said, Egypt. 
• Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. There were no significant incidents to report.
• South East Asia. The threat to commercial shipping from boarding and theft in this region is ever present, however, in September there were no incidents reported of this kind. 
• South America. There were 2 incidents in the port of Callao in Peru, this month. 

1. Regional Report: West Africa and Gulf of Guinea

Monthly Activity

September was another quiet month for maritime security incidents in the Gulf of Guinea with only one significant event taking place. 

Maritime Incidents

1. Nigeria. Boarding and Theft – 10 September 2023 2335 UTC Psn: 06° 25’ 07” N – 03° 20’ 04” E:
Tin Can Jetty, Berth 10, Lagos. Around four to five robbers armed with knives and a steel bar boarded a berthed general cargo ship. The alarm was raised and the crew mustered. Seeing that the crew was alerted, the robbers escaped in a wooden boat with some stolen ship’s property. 

2. Angola. Boarding and Theft – 04 September 2023 0215 UTC Psn: 08° 44’ 67” N – 013° 18’ 41” E:
Luanda Anchorage. 2 unauthorised persons in a canoe approached and boarded an anchored tug. The duty AB on routine rounds noticed the robbers and immediately raised the alarm. Upon hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped with ship’s property. 

Situational Analysis

There has been a total of 3 boarding events reported this year in the Port of Lagos. 

This is indicative of the overall improvement in the maritime security situation within Nigerian Territorial Waters and port operating areas. When we analyse the reasons behind the apparent reduction in maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea, several factors must be considered. An increased naval presence from both international and regional countries, weather conditions and even a drop in vessel traffic are all reasons that may affect statistics. The following graphic provided by the MDAT-GOG shows how the number of incidents in the third quarter of 2023 (10) was an increase of 50% on 2022 figures but marginally less than 2021, however, it is interesting to note the change in the location of incidents from the East to the West of the region since 2021 as counter-piracy measures, particularly in Nigeria, have forced criminals to operate further afield.

2. Regional Report: Black Sea and Sea of Azov

Monthly Activity

In August 2023, Ukraine announced the creation of a ‘Humanitarian Corridor’ for ships stuck in the Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. The route was primarily to be used for civilian ships that have been in the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdenny since the beginning of the full-scale invasion by Russia on February 24, 2022. In response. Russia said it will treat any ships approaching Ukrainian ports as potential military vessels, and their flag countries as combatants on the Ukrainian side. In September, the corridor route was used by vessels travelling to Ukraine’s grain exporting ports but uncertainty remains regarding the safety of vessels in lieu of Russian threats to attack commercial shipping transiting the corridor. 

Maritime Incidents

No incidents to report.

Situational Analysis

The UK government’s decision to publish a press release regarding the threat to civilian vessels from Russian attacks is significant and is based on Intelligence received. The report mentions sea mines specifically, which if confirmed, constitutes a severe risk to vessels transiting the area. The deployment of sea mines by Russia, even the mention of the intention to do so, will have a significant impact on shipping companies planning to trade in Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. It remains to be seen if this is a bluff by Russia as the consequences would be huge if a foreign (non-Ukraine) flagged vessel was damaged or even sunk. Russia risks bringing direct intervention from NATO to bear with the potential to widen the conflict globally. 

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.

3. Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea

Monthly Activity

There has been no significant maritime activity in this region in September but unusually, a robbery was reported from a commercial ship in Port Said, Egypt 

Maritime Incidents

1. Egypt. Robbery – 29 September 2023 1745 UTC Psn 31° 10’ 05″ N 43°- 32° 20’ 41″ E:
Port Said. The Chief Officer onboard a berthed bulk carrier noticed two stevedores exiting from the helicopter store. He called out to them and told them to stop, resulting in the stevedores running away. One stevedore was caught with the help of the port safety officer. Upon investigation, the ship’s stores and property were reported stolen.

Situational Analysis

Although piracy is suppressed, regional conflict, maritime crime and political tensions continue to pose threats to ships operating in this region. Reports of robbery in Port Said are unusual and may be indicative of the socioeconomic situation in the region. 

4. Regional Report: Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea

Monthly Activity

Nothing significant to report. 

Maritime Incidents

No incidents to report.

Situational Analysis

Nothing significant to report. 

5. Regional Report: South East Asia

Monthly Activity

Boarding and robbery from vessels in Southeast Asia is an ever-present threat to commercial ships whether at sea or at anchor. For the first time this year, there were no maritime crimes to report across this region. 

Maritime Incidents

No incidents to report.

Situational Analysis

Nothing significant to report. 

6. Regional Monthly Report: South America and Caribbean

Monthly Activity

2 robberies took place in Callao Anchorage Peru in September. 

Maritime Incidents:

1. Peru. Boarding and Theft – 23 September 2023 0830 UTC Psn: 11° 59 03″ S – 77° 13° 07” W:
Callao Anchorage. Six persons in a small boat approached an anchored tanker. Two assailants armed with knives managed to board the tanker removed. The robbers threw the hawse pipe cover securing bar towards the approaching crew who raised the alarm, resulting in the robbers escaping in their boat. Nothing was reported stolen. Several attempts were made to call the Port Control Authorities but no response was received. 

2. Peru. Boarding and Armed Robbery – 02 September 2023 0720 UTC Psn: 11° 59 03″ S – 77° 13° 07” W:
Callao Anchorage. 4 robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored tanker. They took one crew member as hostage and tied him up. The general alarm was raised. Hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped with some ship’s property and stores. The incident was reported to the Port Control Authority and the Coast Guard boarded the ship for investigation. 

Situational Analysis

Callao Anchorage remains the most active location for maritime crime activities in South America. Maritime crime appears to be regarded as normal business in Callao, despite a Port Control Security and Coastguard presence, there seems to be no real intent by the authorities to deal with this problem.