Risk assessment aug13

Piracy situation risk assessment, August 2013, Issue 16 Highlights of the past month: 

In July there have been the following numbers of incidents reported and published by various sources: Gulf of Guinea – 9; Mediterranean, Red Sea and Indian Ocean – 5; Southeast Asian seas – 12.

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There are concerns that West African pirates are about to adopt Somali pirates tactics – instead of booty they also will likely start holding ships for ransom. There was also a hijacking of a vessel near of Gabon that has not seen serious pirates’ activity long time.

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The violent robbery, often with involvement of firearms, has been on the rise on the Southeast Asia seas. The analysis shows the increase robbery incidents near Indonesia and Malaysia close to 50% comparing with the first half of 2012.

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There was also a surprise hijacking near Libya. However, this seems to be a business dispute rather than sign of rising piracy threat in the region.

Latest major incidents: WEST AFRICA NIGERIA: 24.07.2013: 0710 UTC: 04:16N – 007:56E: 40nm SE of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Pirates attacked and fired at a product tanker.

Terminal security responded to the incident and the pirates moved away. The vessel sustained damage from gunfire. Crew received minor injuries. Later the vessel returned to Lagos Port safely.

NIGERIA: On 19 July, the Vanuatu-flagged anchored offshore supply vessel was boarded at 04:18 N – 007:46 E, at the Usari Field, offshore Akwa lbom state. Crew managed to lock themselves in a citadel, no injuries reported. Pirates looted the vessel, including bridge, and destroyed some equipment on the bridge before leaving. (OCL, Fleetmon.com, news.odin.tc)

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TOGO: On 18 July, the United States-flagged anchored bulk carrier experienced an attempted boarding at 06:05 N – 001:17 E, at the Lome Anchorage. Duty Officer on board the anchored bulk carrier spotted an unlit skiff with 5-6 persons approaching. The Duty Officer directed the ship search light towards the skiff, raised the alarm, activated the fire hoses, and called the Togo navy.

It was observed that the robbers, with hoods pulled over their heads, were attempting to board the vessel using a pole and hook. Three flares were fired in the direction of the skiff. Seeing the crew alertness the robbers aborted the attempt and moved away. During the incident another two skiffs were observed close to the vessel. A navy boat arrived later at the location. (IMB, IMO, OCL) .

TOGO: On 16 July, the Marshall Islands-flagged underway product tanker was hijacked at 05:29 N – 001:38 E, approximately 46 nm southeast of Lome. Armed pirates in two speed boats approached, boarded, and hijacked the product tanker. They took hostage all the crew members, stole their personal belongings, ordered the Master to sail south, and then north towards the Togo/Benin border. The pirates then disembarked and escaped via a speedboat, 12nm from the coastline. The Togo Navy was informed about the hijacking and a patrol boat was dispatched, which escorted the tanker to Lome anchorage for investigation. Two crew members were injured during the incident and were transferred to a clinic for medical attention. (IMB, IMO, OCL, Fleetmon.com, Vesseltracker.com, news.odin.tc) GABON: On 15 July, the Malta-flagged underway chemical tanker was hijacked at 00:26 S – 008:51 E, approximately 13 nm off Port Gentil. A reported 12 to 15 gunmen, armed with AK-47 assault rifles, hijacked the tanker and its 24 Indian crew members onboard. All authorities in the region were informed and kept updated of the incident by the IMB PRC. The vessel was released on 22 July 2013 off Nigeria.

All crew safe. (IMB, IMO, OCL, Fleetmon.com, Vesseltracker.com, news.odin.tc) .

GABON: On 14 July, the Gabon-flagged underway landing craft was boarded at 00:29 S – 008:51 E, at Port Gentil. Approximately 20 armed robbers in a speed boat approached and boarded the landing craft underway. They stole crew personal belongings and escaped. Port maritime authority notified. No injury to crew or any damage to vessel. (IMB, IMO, OCL)

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NIGERIA: On 10 July, an anchored chemical tanker experienced a suspicious approach at 06:17 N – 003:21 E, approximately 5.4 nm southwest of Fairway Buoy, Lagos Anchorage.

Armed security personal onboard the anchored chemical tanker noticed a small boat with an unknown number of persons approaching. When the small boat got to within 50 meters of the vessel, the armed security team fired one warning shot causing the boat to depart the area.

(IMB, OCL) GULF OF GUINEA: On 7 July, gunmen boarded and kidnapped the crew of an underway supply vessel at 04:24 N – 007:03 E, in the vicinity of the New Calabar River. The incident took place as the vessel was transiting from Port Harcourt to Nembe. Initial reports state that the captain, chief engineer and a deckhand were taken hostage. (OCL) NIGERIA: On 5 July, an anchored bulk carrier was boarded at 06:26 N – 003:23 E, on Lagos Port Road. Three armed men were reported to have separated part of the razor wire and gained access via a rope. The bosun spotted them and alerted the duty officer by radio. The bosun was subsequently wounded by the gunmen before other crew came to assist. The robbers escaped via speedboat. The injured crew member was hospitalized. (OCL, news.odin.tc) MEDITERRANEAN SEA LIBYA: On 19 July, approximately twelve armed Libyan men boarded and hijacked a berthed Roro vessel was hijacked at the Bengazi Port. The hijackers are holding the 19 Ukrainian crew members as hostages, with demands that a ransom of $9.5 million be paid by the ship’s owner. (news.odin.tc, worldbulletin.net) INDIAN OCEAN, RED SEA, PERSIAN GULF YEMEN: On 16 July, the Marshall Islandsflagged underway chemical tanker experienced a suspicious approach by three skiffs at 13:28 N – 043:01 E, approximately 16 nm northwest of Mocha. The onboard security team took their position while non-essential crew mustered in the citadel. The individuals in the skiff had weapons to include an RPG. The skiffs departed the area when the security team fired warning flares. (IMB, IMO, OCL)

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RED SEA: On 8 July, an underway bulk carrier experienced a suspicious approach at 13:10 N – 043:06 E, approximately 11 nm southwest of Mocha, Yemen. Armed security team on board the underway bulk carrier noticed two skiffs near the stern of the vessel, at a distance of 5-10 meters.

Alarm sounded and the armed team fired warning shots, resulting in the skiffs moving away. (IMB, OCL) RED SEA: On 4 July, an underway bulk carrier experienced a suspicious approach at 12:59 N – 043:06 E, approximately 9 nm west of Halib, Eritrea. Two suspicious skiffs, with seven to eight persons, approached the bulk carrier and closed to four cables. It was observed that the skiffs had machine guns and long sticks; however, no ladders were sighted. The alarm was raised and the vessel increased speed, took evasive maneuvers, and activated the fire hoses.

All non-essential crew retreated into the citadel.

The on board armed security team fired warning shots, resulting in the skiffs moving away. (IMB, OCL) SOUTHEAST ASIA INDONESIA: On 17 July, an underway general cargo ship was boarded at 01:07 N – 104:52 E, approximately 7 nm northeast of Pulau Mapur.

Roughly ten robbers, armed with guns and knives, boarded the underway general cargo ship. They entered the bridge and assaulted the Master who managed to escape and stop the engine. The robbers stole crew personal belongings and cash and escaped. Master sustained minor injuries to hands. (IMB, OCL) INDONESIA: On 12 July, underway tug and barge were boarded by eight pirates in a speedboat at 03:13 N – 104:58 E, approximately 35nm northwest of the Anambas Islands. The pirates were armed with guns and long knives. The pirates cut off the cables for the communication equipment, stole crew properties, cash, and escaped. One crew member has been reported missing. (IMB, OCL) .

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MALAYSIA: On 10 July, the Malaysia-flagged underway tanker was boarded at 03:02 N – 104:18 E, approximately 12 nm northeast of Pulau Tioman. Approximately eight pirates, armed with guns and knives, boarded the underway tanker. They ordered the C/E to reduce speed to minimum and then mustered all the crew, including the bridge and engine room watch-officers in the mess room where they tied up the crews hands. The pirates then stole all crew and ship properties and cash, and left the ship an hour later. Ship’s crew regained control of the vessel and sailed to Kemaman Port. No injuries to the crew. (IMB, IMO, OCL)

Summary and recommendations: 

Egypt has been in turmoil throughout July. Despite the officials have taken extra precautions to secure the passage of vessels through Suez Canal all vessel owners should stay extremely alerted while passing it. Civil disturbances are common ground for criminal activity and the law enforcement may easily get distracted from their tasks to protect the Canal. There have been reports on cases where “businessmen” insists their access to the vessel. Be aware of possible fake officials also. Strengthened watch and strict policy of entrance by verified ID’s only should be exercised within and near Canal (well, this should be done in any place).

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West Africa will remain the rising problem area. Nigeria has not contained the major insurgent group Boko Haram operating in north of country and the security focus will stay there for long time to come. That means the maritime security cannot be the highest priority. The hijack near Gabon may indicate the rising capacity of the pirates to conduct their operations to the longer distances than before. Also, there are signs that they are about to adopt the similar model as Somali pirates have had – besides steeling the cargo they will likely demand the ransom for the vessel and crew on top. Please arrange a serious and armed security in the area where-ever possible. This seems the only option that will save from the trouble in case of attack as the case studies indicate.

Sources: ICC, NATO, ONI, NGA, Oceanus Live, Maritime Bulletin, Marsecreview, Reuters, CNN

We wish you safe voyages!

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