Maritime Intelligence and Incident Report: June 2019
Executive Summary
Our latest maritime intelligence report highlights the overall tactical maritime security situation across the Indian Ocean, West Africa, South East Asia and South America High Risk Areas (HRA).
Indian Ocean Region
Tensions are high in the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf due to the ongoing deterioration of relations between Iran and the U.S. and their allies. The US had hastily sent the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group to the Persian Gulf, however, the strike group remains 200 miles off the eastern coast of Oman, with the U.S. saying they are seeking to avoid any escalation. Iran is suspected of being behind the incident on May 12 in the Gulf of Oman where 4 commercial vessels were damaged in a “sabotage attack” in the vicinity of the Port of Fujairah.
Tensions are also high in Somalia due to the deterioration in relations between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States, this, coupled with the ongoing drought and food insecurity situation could create an environment where Somali piracy can flourish again.
In terms of Piracy the Indian Ocean region has been largely inactive during this reporting period, with just one reported incident of robbery at Nacala Inner Anchorage, Mozambique.
West Africa
During this reporting period there have been several reported incidents within the West Africa region, including one attack and three hijackings. This figure is in-line with recent activity in 2019, where West Africa continues to be the most active region in terms of piracy and maritime crime. In the coming months maritime crime and piracy is expected to decrease offshore due to the strong winds and heavy rains associated with the rainy season (May – October).
South East Asia
There has been an increase of maritime crime with six reported incidents, two of which involved the use of knives and one incident where the vessels crew were physically restrained and had their personal effects and cash stolen, around 4 nautical miles east of Pulau Mapur, Indonesia.
South America
During this reporting period there has been a decrease in maritime crime with three reported incidents. In one incident, 1.9 miles north east of San Ignacio De Tupile, Panama, a pleasure craft was boarded by armed assailants who shot and killed one person and injured another.
Indian Ocean Region
Incidents
ATTACK
Date & Time: 26/05/2019 20:00:00 UTC Lat: 14°32.56S Lon 040°39.16E
Detail: Nacala Inner Anchorage, Mozambique. Duty crew noticed the forward store broken into and reported same to the duty officer. Alarm raised. A search was carried out. Foot prints were noticed on the forecastle deck. Ship’s stores reported stolen.
Several Russian and Iranian news outlets quickly reported that 7-10 oil tankers were on fire within the port but this has been denied by the UAE and labelled as ‘fake news’. Hamad Al Rahoomi, a member of the UAE’s Federal National Council, said foreign broadcasters had exaggerated the scale of the incident and claimed that the port was on fire. “It is weak. It was clear this was fake news,” Mr Al Rahoomi said. “Everybody can see the location. Something like that you would have been able to see for miles and miles.”
Four commercial vessels had been targeted by ‘acts of sabotage’ around Fujairah Port, UAE on 12 May. The UAE authorities are investigating the incident and have stated that there are no casualties and that each vessel has sustained significant damage to their structure but remain afloat with no spills of fuel, crude or harmful chemicals. Recent satellite images have shown however that the vessel Amjad appears to have spilled crude. The four vessels which were attacked are the Saudi flagged VLCC Amjad, crude tanker Al Marzoqah, A Michel – registered in Sharjah – and the Andrea Victory from Bergen in Norway.
There are still no clear details of what has happened and no group has yet claimed responsibility. It is also unclear on what caused the damage to the vessels, with most reports suggesting small naval mines were placed on the vessels at the waterline. The likelihood of this incident being state backed is increasingly likely given the recent shift in US and Iranian relations, with the US saying that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps are “directly responsible” for the attacks. However, in terms of impacts to commercial shipping operations it is unlikely that the risk to the safety of vessels and crews will increase, however the risk of delays to commercial operations in the area have increased along with the potential for interactions with local military forces. There is no current impact on our own operations in the area.
West Africa Region
Incidents
1. ATTACK
Date – Time: 14/05/2019 01:42:00 UTC Lat: 09°23.94N Lon: 013°41.26W
Details: Four robbers armed with automatic rifles and knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier at 0142 UTC in position 09°23.94N – 013°41.26W, Conakry Anchorage, Guinea. They took the crew hostage, ransacked their cabins and stole ship and crew cash and properties before escaping. Master was injured during the incident. The incident was reported to Conakry Port Control and a patrol boat came for investigation. Reported (IMB/MDAT) 14 May.
2. HIJACKING
Date – Time: 12/05/2019 01:00:00 UTC Lat: 06°03.46N Lon: 001° 16.43E MV Name: MT G Dona I
Details: Anchored Togo-flagged chemical tanker boarded at 01:00 UTC in position Lomé anchorage, Togo. Eight armed persons in a canoe approached, boarded and HIJACKED the vessel, taking the crew hostage. Togo Navy received a call from the owners that the tanker had been attacked and naval ops observed erratic manoeuvres and were unable to contact the vessel, subsequently despatched naval patrol boats to investigate. Tanker intercepted 25nm from the anchorage area and forced to return to Lomé port. The crew were reported safe and eight armed persons were captured (6 Nigerian and 2 Togolese nationals). The perpetrators were handed over to the Maritime Gendarmerie for further investigation. Tanker escorted to Lomé. Reported (MDAT/Source) 12 May.
3. ATTACK
Date – Time: 07/05/2019 02:45:00 UTC Lat: 04°41:10N Lon: 007°10:02E
Detail: Offshore supply vessel boarded by 2 robbers at approx 0245 UTC in position 04°41:10N – 007°10:02E, Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne Port, Nigeria. Robbers used a canoe to reach the vessel. Duty Ab spotted them, raised the alarm. Robbers escaped empty handed. Reported (MDAT) 7 May.
4. HIJACKING
Date – Time: 05/05/2019 12:16:00 UTC Lat: 03°04.14N Lon: 007°55.01E
Detail: Heavy transportation vessel attacked and boarded by seven suspected pirates in a single speedboat at 12:16 UTC in position 03°04.14N – 007°55.01E, around 90nm SE of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Crew retreated into the citadel. At 08:03 UTC (6 May) vessel reported HIJACKED. Pirates reportedly attempt to enter citadel by using vessel PA system to threaten crew, and fired shots through small hole into the citadel. NATO naval asset in vicinity. At 14:30 UTC (6 May) pirates departed the vessel and crew reported safe and under escort by a warship following Equatorial Guinea Navy frigate and two helicopters plus Spanish Navy patrol boat diverting to the scene. Reported (MDAT/Source) 5 May.
5. HIJACKING
Date – Time: 05/05/2019 12:00:00 UTC MV Name: MV CHARIS Lat: 03°04.00N Lon: 007°59.00E
Detail: Nigeria-flagged tug, CHARIS, reported attacked and boarded by pirates at 12:00 UTC in position 03°04N – 007°59E, around 92nm SSE of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Vessel was hijacked and used to attack heavy transportation vessel at 12:16 UTC. Spanish and Equatorial Guinea Navy coordinated in op to release the vessel 6 May. Crew safe and tug under military escort by a warship at 14:30 UTC (6 May). Reported (MDAT) 5 May.
6. ATTACK
Date – Time: 03/05/2019 20:50:00 UTC Lat: 02°54.50N Lon: 005°24.40E
Details: Underway tanker reported attacked by suspected pirates in a speedboat at 20:50 UTC in Position 02°54.50N – 005°24.40E, around 97nm SSW of Brass, Nigeria. Shots fired toward the vessel. Master ordered evasive measures, pirates unsuccessful in boarding the vessel. Reported MDAT/Source) 3 May.
7. ATTACK
Date – Time: 03/05/2019 00:10:00 UTC Lat: 06°16.07N Lon: 003°13.11E
Details: Duty crew onboard an anchored tanker noticed two robbers near the cargo tank with a hose at 00:10 UTC in position 06°16.07N – 003°13.11E, Secure Anchorage Area (SAA), Lagos, Nigeria. Alarm raised, and PA announcement made. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped in their boat with their hose. A patrol boat was informed who came and searched the area. Nothing reported stolen. Reported (IMB) 3 May.
South America Region
Incidents
1. ATTACK
Date – Time: 18/05/2019 05:55:00UTC Lat: 11°59.8S Lon: 077°11.9W
Detail: Around four to five robbers wearing face masks boarded an anchored LNG tanker via the hawse pipe at 05:55 UTC in position 11°59.8S – 077°11.9W, Callao Anchorage, Peru. They took hostage the duty crew on routine rounds. Alarm raised, ship’s whistle sounded and crew mustered. Hearing the alarm, the robbers took the duty crew’s radio, pushed him and escaped in their boat. Incident was reported to Port Control and a patrol boat was dispatched to the anchorage area. Reported (IMB) 18 May.
2. ATTACK
Date – Time: 03/05/2019 20:10:00 UTC Lat: 00°08S Lon: 081°19.9W
Detail: Two speed boats with five persons in each boat approached a bulk carrier underway at 20:10 UTC in position 00°08S – 081°19.9W, around 52nm WNW of Cabo Pasado, Ecuador. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Vessel increase speed, commenced evasive manoeuvres and started spraying the boats with charged fire hoses, resulting in the boats moving away. Crew and vessel reported safe. Reported (IMB) 3 May.
3. ATTACK
Date – Time: 02/05/2019 07:30:00UTC Lat: 09°16.40N Lon: 078°07.45W
Detail: IMB Piracy Reporting Centre received a distress call from a family on an anchored pleasure boat indicating that unknown persons had boarded the boat, shot and killed one person and injured the other at approx 07:30 UTC in position 09°16.40N – 078°07.45W, around 1.9nm ENE of San Ignacio De Tupile, Panama. Two other family members were unharmed. The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) immediately informed the Panamanian Authorities who dispatched a patrol boat to the location to render assistance. IMB PRC continued to liaise with the authorities and the family on the boat until the marine police boat arrived at location and rendered medical assistance. Reported (IMB) 2 May.
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