Piracy situation risk assessment, April 2013, Issue 12 Highlights of the past month:
March has seen lower number of reported piracy related incidents than February but some of them likely with fatalities. Also, the security situation in mainland Nigeria has become more worrisome and will likely have its implications to the Gulf of Guinea. There have been number of attacks in northern Nigeria a rising extremist group expressing its agenda and there are strong suspicions that the extremists may have links to the armed robbery gangs operating out of Nigerian Delta.
Eastern coast of Africa has also seen some pirate activity. Totally four incidents and suspicious moves were reported related to piracy. Meanwhile there are no major positive developments on mainland Somalia. Rather vice versa – the arms’ selling is on its peak and Al Sahab has made their statements with the deadly bomb blasts in capital.
Northern Africa and Persian Gulf have become more worrisome area due unrests in regions. The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has issued a warning that “extremists” may attack ships in the following maritime domains: Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab. There was also a surprise attack on a dhow near Bahrain that is to be seen as an isolated incident at the moment.
In the Indonesian region the robbery incidents have hold the similar pace, 11 incidents reported due date.
Latest incidents (according to ICC Live Piracy Reports, NATO Shipping Center Alerts and Office of Naval Intelligence Reports): Nigeria: On 2 March, a fishing trawler was attacked at 04:07 N – 005:36 E, approximately 25 nm from the Bayelsa Coast. Unconfirmed reports state that the Captain was killed during the attack. The pirates managed to escape, prior to the arrival of the Nigerian naval patrol. Nigeria: On 4 March, the tug/supply vessel ARMADA TUAH 22 was hijacked at 03:42 N – 005:39 E, approximately 50 nm southwest of Brass. Contact with the vessel's owner has been lost and the vessel has not been responding to radio calls. In addition, the vessel’s AIS was turned off at around 1715hrs local time. Unconfirmed reports state that the Captain, Chief Engineer and Second Engineer have been kidnapped. The chef was also reported to have been injured in the attack on the vessel. Bahrain: On 4 March, a dhow was fired upon and crew kidnapped approximately 60 nm North of Al Dair. A Bahraini registered dhow was attacked by four armed men in two boats. The dhow was forced to stop and then dragged from the location of the attack into Iranian waters. The sailors were kidnapped but later released, with one sailor suffering from two gunshot wounds to the shoulder. He was taken to the hospital and listed as being stable. Nigeria: On 5 March, a tanker was boarded at 06:27 N – 003:23 E, in the vicinity of Lagos. An LPG Tanker was boarded and robbed by pirates. No further details at this time. 1/3
Gulf of Aden: 04.03.2013: 0530 UTC: Posn: 14:17.4N – 049:51.7E (Around 40nm SE of Mukalla City, Yemen). Four skiffs with around six persons in each skiff approached an oil tanker underway from the port bow, mid-ships and astern. Master raised alarm, took anti-piracy measures, informed UKMTO and all nonessential crew retreated to the citadel. Onboard armed security team fired warning shots resulting in the skiffs stopping the approach at a distance of around four cables from the vessel. Ladder and RPG sighted in the approaching skiffs. A warship was deployed to the location for assistance. Gulf of Aden: 14.03.2013: 1215 LT: Posn: 13:39N – 050:48E. Four suspicious dhows along with skiffs were noticed by a tanker underway. From this group one skiff approached the taker at high speed. Alarm sounded and non-essential crew retreated in the citadel. As the skiff approached weapons and a ladder were sighted in the skiff. Onboard armed security team fired one warning shot resulting in the skiff stopping and turning back to regroup with the rest.
Yemen: On 25 March, an underway tanker experienced a suspicious approach at 14:01N – 051:33E, approximately 141 nm south - southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen. Group closed to within 8 cables of tanker, AST stood to and displayed weapons resulting in the approach being aborted and moving away on near - reciprocal course and speed of original approach. Dhow had a light colored hull and skiffs were dark - colored. No personnel sighted on the dhow, but 2 - 3 POBs on each skiff. No weapons or other paraphernalia sighted. Egypt: 26.03.2013: 1745 UTC: Posn: 31:14.4N – 032:18.1E, Port Said West Terminal. Six robbers in a boat armed with knives came alongside a berthed container ship. Four robbers boarded the vessel and injured an on-board security guard. The robbers stole ship’s stores and transferred them into their boat. The incident was reported to the local police.
2/3
Somalia: At 0746 UTC / 28 MAR 2013 a fishing vessel is reported under attack by pirates in position 1152N - 05118E. The attacking vessel reportedly had a red hull and carried up to 15 suspected pirates. The attacked vessel is safe now.
Summary and recommendations:
Pirates of Somalia or Yemen are likely getting more active due the many vessels dropping private security guards. This leaves them more freedom of action and likely will increase the attack rate. It is strongly advised to keep the armed guards on vessels as this has been the only reasonable deterrence to pirates. Also the rumors of policing naval forces budgets being cut will fuel the pirates’ courage to keep trying even harder.
Despite in the Nigerian waters have not had reported incidents for last few weeks the threat is not over at all. Most likely the rising instability on land where extremist organizations are destabilizing the situation the governmental focus is there not on sea so much. Also, as extremists advance and spread they are likely are establishing the links with main criminal groups in charge of current attacks on Gulf of Guinea. The violence level may take completely unexpected turns. This is strongly advised to use the BMP and any security settings available throughout the entire West African coastline.
The piracy incident near Bahrain is hard to take as a new threat source emerging in Persian Gulf. However, we strongly advise to keep the BMP advised protection and watch within the Persian Gulf.
Sources: ICC, NATO, ONI, Shiptalk, Asia News Network, Gulf Daily News We wish you safe voyages!
Your Aburgus Team Email us: info@aburgus.com View us: www.aburgus.com Our reports can also be viewed: http://www.aburgus.com/blog/ and followed in LinkedIn by clicking here: (http://www.linkedin.com/company/aburgus-o-?trk=cp_followed_name_aburgus-o-) 3/3