Maritime Incident Report: September 2024
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: September 2024 covers maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, Europe, West Africa, South East Asia and South America for the period 01/09/24 – 30/09/24.
• Europe: In the Black Sea, a bulk carrier carrying grain to Egypt was hit by a Russian anti-ship missile inside Romania’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Human Migration events continued across the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea.
• Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: Houthi attacks on commercial ships reduced dramatically with only 3 vessels reporting incidents during September. The disabled tanker MT SOUNION was towed to a safe area in the Red Sea averting a major oil spillage.
• Indian Ocean and Somali Basin: Piracy-related activity remained suppressed during September but is likely to return as the Indian Ocean SW Monsoon season abates.
• Southeast Asia: There was a decrease in the number of maritime security events in this region with only 3 incidents involving the boarding and theft from commercial ships being reported. A Vietnamese fishing boat was attacked in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, claimed by both China and Vietnam, and 10 crew members were injured.
• The Caribbean Sea and South America: There are reports that shots were fired at ships entering port and 2 seafarers were abducted in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. A supply vessel was boarded and robbed in Georgetown Guyana.
Executive Summary
1. Europe. Human migration events continue to cause concern across large areas of the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. Migrants have been rescued or intercepted on all the main transit routes between North Africa, Asia, and Europe. In the Black Sea, it was reported that a supersonic Kh-22 anti-ship missile hit the Turkish-operated merchant vessel MV AYA. NATO sources said the missile was launched from a Russian Tu-22M Backfire bomber. The ship was carrying 26,550 tons of grain for Egypt and was transiting the Romanian EEZ at the time of the incident. The vessel sustained extensive damage but no casualties were reported. The bulk carrier GOLDEN LION received collateral damage during a Russian attack on the port of Odesa, 4 people were wounded in the attack.
2. The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) reported only 3 incidents involving commercial and military shipping in the region during September with 2 oil tankers being impacted by Houthi missiles. The cause for the reduction in the number of attacks is unclear. The disabled MT SOUNION was towed to a safe area in the Red Sea averting a possible environmental disaster. The shipping industry recently released updated transit advice for vessels operating in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, (see link at Para 11).
3. The Indian Ocean and Somali Basin. Although the threat to commercial ships from piracy remains significant, poor weather conditions caused by the Indian Ocean SW Monsoon season are the likely reason that no piracy-related incidents were reported during September. As the weather improves during October, small boats engaged in Pattern of Life (POL) activity such as fishing will return and will likely lead to increased reports of suspicious behaviour and possible pirate activity from commercial shipping transiting the region.
4. The Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Iran continues to pose a potential threat to commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. Ships may be contacted or harassed by Iranian authorities as they transit the region. There were no reports of any maritime incidents in this region during September.
5. Southeast Asia and the South China Sea. Armed robbery and boardings of ships underway and at anchor continue to pose the greatest risk to vessels operating in the region. There was a decrease last month in the number of vessels being boarded in the Singapore Strait where only 3 maritime security incidents were reported. A Vietnamese fishing boat was attacked in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, claimed by both China and Vietnam, and 10 crew members were injured. It is unclear who carried out the attack. China ratcheted up the pressure on Taiwan with several incursions and missile tests in the Strait of Taiwan.
6. West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. A local water taxi was intercepted and 10 passengers were kidnapped by unidentified criminals in Nigeria’s Bonny River but generally, levels of maritime crime remain low with piracy suppressed across the region. Human migration events continue along the West African Atlantic coastline; the bodies of over 30 human migrants were discovered in a boat drifting off the coast of Senegal, and the Moroccan coastguard rescued several migrants after their boat capsized off the port of Tan-Tan.
7. Latin and South America and the Caribbean Sea. There are unconfirmed reports that shots were fired and 2 Filipino seafarers were abducted from a commercial ship in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The level of crime reported in South American ports remains low but political and civil unrest in some Central and South American countries such as Ecuador and Honduras makes travel there unadvisable without a thorough risk assessment being made before any port visit. In the Caribbean, where robbery from pleasure craft is endemic, there were 4 incidents reported this month. Also, a supply vessel was boarded and robbed in Georgetown Guyana.
1. Regional Report: Europe
Monthly Activity
Human migration events continue to cause concern across large areas of the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. Migrants have been rescued or intercepted on all the main transit routes between North Africa, Asia and Europe. In the Black Sea, it was reported that a supersonic Kh-22 anti-ship missile hit the Turkish-operated merchant vessel MV AYA. NATO sources said the missile was launched from a Russian Tu-22M Backfire bomber. The ship was carrying 26,550 tons of grain for Egypt and was transiting the Romanian EEZ at the time of the incident. The vessel sustained extensive damage but no casualties were reported. The bulk carrier GOLDEN LION received collateral damage during a Russian attack on the port of Odesa, 4 seafarers were wounded in the attack. For further advice on preparing your vessel and crew in the event you are involved in a human migration incident, contact a member of our team at enquiries@priavosecurity.com.
Maritime Incidents
1. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 03 September 2024 – Vessel Capsize:
A migrant vessel capsized off the coast of Libya near Tobruk leaving 1 person dead and 22 missing.
2. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 03 September 2024 – Human Migration:
117 migrants were intercepted and rescued off Mugla, Turkey.
3. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 06 September 2024 – Human Migration:
163 migrants were rescued off Izmir, Turkey.
4. Mediterranean Sea. 23 September 2024 – Vessel Sunk:
An undisclosed number of people were rescued when a migrant boat sunk off the Greek island of Samos.
5. Black Sea. 21 September 2024 – Vessel Damaged:
The Antigua-flagged bulk carrier GOLDEN LION was struck by debris and shrapnel during an attack on the port of Odesa. The vessel was unloading steel products at the time of the incident.
6. Black Sea. 11 September 2024 – Vessel Attacked:
The Belize-owned, Turkish-operated, bulk carrier, MV AYA was hit by a supersonic missile launched by a Russian TU 22M bomber as it transited south 20nm from the coast of Romania.
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.
2. Regional Report: Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea
Monthly Activity
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) reported that there were only 3 incidents involving commercial shipping in the region during September during which 2 vessels were impacted by Houthi missiles. The cause of the reduction in the number of attacks is unclear, but it may be that there are now fewer vessels transiting the Red Sea that fall into the Houthis target categories as more commercial ships take alternative routes to avoid the area. The firefighting operation onboard MT SOUNION which is anchored in position 17 08N – 039 48E, commenced on 23 September. An International team of firefighting experts have reported that some fires are extinguished and others are under control. The shipping industry released updated transit advice for vessels operating in the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. For further advice on preparing your vessel and crew for the possibility of an attack, contact a member of our team at enquiries@priavosecurity.com.
Maritime Incidents
1. Red Sea. 02 September 2024 – Vessel Attacked:
The oil tanker MT BLUE LAGOON 1 was attacked initially 70nm northwest west of Hodeida. In the first attack the ship reported being struck by 2 missiles and later a third missile explosion was seen in close proximity to the ship. There are no casualties onboard and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call.
2. Red Sea. 02 September 2024 – Vessel Attacked:
The Master of an unnamed oil tanker reported that the vessel had been hit by an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) 58nm west of Hodeida, Yemen. There are no casualties onboard and the vessel proceeded to its next port of call.
3. Red Sea. 20 September 2024 – Suspicious Approach:
The master of the Greek-flagged oil tanker DILIGENT WARRIOR reported the sighting of an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) 45nm south of Mocha, Yemen. The USV had a blue and white hull and came to within 0.5nm of the ship. The USV was described as behaving erratically before departing the vicinity. The master reported that the vessel and crew were safe.
3. Regional Report: The Indian Ocean and Somali Basin
Monthly Activity
Although the threat to commercial ships from piracy remains significant, poor weather conditions caused by the Indian Ocean SW Monsoon season are the likely reason that no piracy-related incidents were reported during September. As the weather improves during October, small boats engaged in Pattern of Life (POL) activity such as fishing will return leading to increased reports of suspicious behaviour and possible pirate activity from commercial shipping transiting the region.
Maritime Incidents
No incidents to report.
4. Regional Report: The Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman
Monthly Activity
Iran continues to pose a potential threat to commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. Ships may be contacted or harassed by Iranian authorities as they transit the area. There were no reports of any maritime incidents in this region in September.
Maritime Incidents
No Incidents to report.
5. Regional Report: West Africa and Gulf of Guinea
Monthly Activity
A local water taxi was intercepted and 10 passengers were kidnapped by unidentified criminals in Nigeria’s Bonny River but generally, levels of maritime crime remain low with piracy suppressed across the region. Human migration events continue along the West African Atlantic coastline, in one incident the bodies of over 30 human migrants were discovered in a boat drifting off the coast of Senegal and the Moroccan coastguard rescued several migrants after their boat capsized off the port of Tan-Tan.
Maritime Incidents
1. Gulf of Guinea. 02 September 2024 – Rivers State, Nigeria:
Unidentified robbers attacked a passenger boat that was transiting from Bonny to Port Harcourt, close to Dutch Island. The attackers robbed the passengers and kidnapped 10 passengers. The incident was reported by the local union chairman to the state government house and Rivers Police.
2. West Africa Coast. 22 September 2024 – Migrant Rescue:
Moroccan Coast. A Moroccan navy ship rescued suspected migrants from a capsized vessel approximately 80nm northwest of the port of Tan-Tan. Those rescued included 54 sub-Saharan migrants, including 7 women and a minor from the hull of the capsized vessel. The rescued people who had intended to reach the Canary Islands were brought safely back to the port of Tan-Tan.
2. West Africa Coast. 23 September 2024 – Migration Incident:
Senegal Coast. At least 30 decomposing bodies believed to be human migrants, were found in a boat off Senegal. The Senegalese navy was informed of a vessel that was adrift about 80nm west of the capital Dakar. The navy brought the wooden canoe or pirogue, into port in Dakar where the recovery and identification took place.
6. Regional Report: South East Asia
Monthly Activity
Armed robbery and boardings of ships underway and at anchor continue to pose the greatest risk to vessels operating in the region. There was a decrease last month in the number of vessels being boarded in the Singapore Strait where only 3 maritime security incidents were reported. A Vietnamese fishing boat was attacked in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, claimed by both China and Vietnam and 10 crew members were injured, it is unclear who carried out the attack. China ratcheted up the pressure on Taiwan with several incursions and missile tests in the Strait of Taiwan.
Maritime Incidents
1. Singapore Strait. 13 September 2024 – Armed Boarding:
The duty crewman onboard a bulk carrier spotted 5 masked robbers armed with weapons in the engine room. The alarm was raised and the crew mustered, the incident was reported to local authorities. A search of the engine room was conducted but no intruders or missing items were identified. The ship was escorted by a naval patrol vessel to the pilot station, where the Coastguard searched the vessel.
2. Singapore Strait. 13 September 2024 – Armed Boarding:
While underway, the master of a ship reported that five perpetrators with knives were sighted in the steering room of a ship. The alarm was raised and all crew mustered, a search was conducted to locate the perpetrators but none were discovered. The crew was unharmed and nothing was reported stolen from the ship. The incident was reported to the Singapore authorities and a safety navigational broadcast was initiated.
3. Singapore Strait. 13 September 2024 – Boarding:
While underway a tugboat master reported that scrap metal was taken from a barge that the tug was towing. The crew were mustered and a search of the vessel was conducted. The incident was reported to the local maritime authorities.
6. Regional Report: South America and Caribbean
Monthly Activity
There are unconfirmed reports that shots were fired at ships entering port and 2 Filipino seafarers were abducted from a commercial container ship in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Haiti’s main seaport is closed at present due to the violence. The level of crime reported elsewhere in South American ports remains low but political and civil unrest in some Central and South American countries such as Guyana, Ecuador and Honduras makes travel there unadvisable without a thorough risk assessment being made before any port visit. In the Caribbean, where robbery from pleasure craft is endemic, there were 4 incidents reported this month. A supply vessel was boarded and robbed in Georgetown Guyana.
Maritime Incidents:
1. South America. 17 August 2024 – Theft:
Georgetown Guyana, it was reported that an offshore supply vessel berthed in Georgetown Port, Guyana was boarded by 4 robbers. The robbers approached in a canoe, boarding from the riverside. Two of the robbers boarded the vessel and two stayed onboard their craft. The robbers were spotted by the duty crew, the alarm was raised and the robbers escaped. Nothing was reported stolen and the crew are all reported to be safe.
2. The Caribbean. 27 September 2024 – Vessel Attacked:
Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Haiti’s main seaport was closed after ships were fired at by armed gangs as they entered the main container port. There were also reports that containers were looted and 2 Filipino seafarers were abducted.
3. The Caribbean. 23 September 2024 – Theft:
Grenada, Clarke’s Court Bay. Owners of a yacht anchored in Clarke’s Court Bay awoke to find that the fuel had been emptied from the integral dinghy tank overnight. The dinghy was locked to the yacht and a locked compartment was left untouched. The thief left the cap off the tank inside the dinghy.
4. The Caribbean. 15 September 2024 – Theft:
Curacao, a locked RIB dinghy and 5HP Nissan outboard were stolen from the Fishermen’s Village dinghy dock while the owners were ashore for dinner. The security guard had no information about what had happened. A police report was made.
For detailed root cause analysis and background to the events described in this report, talk to our Intelligence team who can provide a bespoke report focusing on maritime incidents and conflict situations that may affect your vessels and crew. Contact us at enquiries@priavosecurity.com.