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