Piracy Situation Risk Assessment, August 2014, Issue 28 Highlights of the Past Month:
Last month has seen less pirate activity in Indian Ocean region but increasing number of serious incidents on South-China Sea. The main sources reported at least 4 suspicious events in the Red Sea area, 2 serious incidents near Nigeria, 1 hijacking near Ghana and possible 1 robbery attempt near Togo. There were at least 14 robberies or attempts reported in South China Sea region.
There has been an increasing number of suspicious approaches in Bab Al Mandeb area in July. Although no attacks have been taken place the activity seems out of normal pattern, possibly probing approaches to test the presence of armed security guards. The southwest monsoon with heavy winds and rough sea has impeded the operations of small boats throughout July.
The criminal situation in Nigerian and nearby waters remains a problem. The recent actions by Nigerian authorities to repel non-Nigerian security companies operating in their waters is likely providing more operational freedom for pirates. The incident of attacking a police guarded oil rig, with the likely intent to seize the gunboat with heavy armament, is an alarming sign also. Criminals with military grade boats and serious weaponry will not be easy to repel by lightly armed security teams.
Criminals operating in Southeast Asian waters seem to become more armed and are likely to cause injuries more easily in case of noncompliance by the boarded vessel crews. This is a wild assumption but largely corresponding to the normal human behaviour. There have been also two reported hijacks with serious cargo (gas oil) theft that is becoming already common in this area.
On 29 July the fall of a large maritme security company became public as they announced the cecation of operations. The experts estimate that this is could be a rising trend. In the light of constatly droping prices due hard competition the companies with high fixed costs are truly in danger to sustain themselves. This trend is potentially dangerous for shipping as agreed service may get cancelled without warning. The red flags for vessel owners should be the guards attitude on their vessels, mainly the infotrmation are they payd as agreed etc. In case the salaries have been in hold for several moths the good guess is that the company is in trouble.
1/5
Latest major incidents: INDIAN OCEAN, RED SEA, PERSIAN GULF RED SEA: 31 July – 15 50.4N, 041 30.08E At 2045 UTC a vessel reported being approached by three skiffs. Visibility was extremely limited and no tripwires were seen. The skiffs closed to 0.1 nm. Warning shots were fired by the AST and the skiffs dispersed, two further approaches were made before the skiffs withdrew. Vessel and crew are safe. (UKMTO) RED SEA: On 23 July, A tanker underway in a narrow part of the Bab el Mandeb observed a suspicious vessel on a converging course near position 1233N – 04327E, 5 nm southeast of Perim Island. As this vessel closed to a distance of 1 nm, a skiff appeared from behind the suspicious vessel and approached the tanker at high speed. As the skiff closed to a distance of 0.5 nm from the tanker, the Master raised alarm, increased speed, activated fire hoses, non-essential crew mustered in a safe room and the on board armed security team showed their weapons. The skiff then altered its course parallel to the tanker and then slowly fell back. No weapons or ladders were sighted. (IMB, UKMTO) RED SEA: 10 Jul – 13 49N, 42 30E. At 1642 UTC a vessel reported being approached by 2 suspicious boats, both with 5-6 POB. The boats approached at 16-17kts to within 1.1nm, the vessel reported (AST) the sighting of AK style weapons. The AST fired a flare and the boats dispersed. No other tripwires were seen. Vessel and crew are safe. (UKMTO) RED SEA: 4 Jul – 13 47N 042 25E. At 1100 UTC a vessel reported 1 skiff on a parallel course at 3nm accompanied by a dhow. The skiff with 5 POB closed to 900m then headed back to the dhow where 5 additional personnel transferred to the skiff. As the skiff closed to 1200m the AST showed weapons and the skiff followed for a short time before stopping. (UKMTO)
WEST AFRICA GHANA: On 25 July, the 3,232 gross tons MT HAI SOON 6 was boarded and hijacked by a group of 10 heavily armed pirates about 46 nautical miles south of Angola, Ghana. The tanker carrying 21 sailors was released on Sunday off Nigeria waters, a week after being seized by pirates. All sailors are unhurt and it appears that some of their fuel has been stolen. (gCaptain, The News)
2/5
TOGO: On 25 July, a boat with eight persons aboard was seen to suspiciously approach an anchored general cargo vessel near position 0605N – 00116E, Lome Anchorage. Master raised the alarm, alerted crew and authorities and sounded the ship's horn. Seeing the alert crew the boat moved away. Later, a naval boat arrived for investigation. (IMB) NIGERIA: On 23 July, armed criminals attacked an oil rig in Gbarain, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state. During the firefight, five gunmen were killed and two policemen sustained minor injuries. A spokesman stated that the pirates had attacked the rig at Gbarain with the intention of severing the chain used to secure the gunboat in order to remove the weapons in it. (This Day Online, Nigeria) NIGERIA: On 20 July, gunmen attacked a passenger boat on the Ogbia-Nembe in Bayelsa State waterways, killed two persons and stole cash and valuables from boat passengers. (News Agency of Nigeria, State-Owned Media)
SOUTHEAST ASIA MALAYSIA: On 25 July, Ten robbers armed with guns and knives boarded the anchored product tanker JI XIANG near position 0119N – 10415E, 2 nm south of Teluk Ramunia, Johor. They stole crew personal belongings and cash and escaped. During the robbery, one crew member received minor injuries at his neck due to gun fire. (IMB, gCaptain)
INDONESIA: On 25 July, Three armed robbers in a wooden boat approached and boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position 0015N – 11734E, Muara Berau Anchorage. They took hostage a duty crewman and tied him up. He managed to escape and informed the duty officer who raised the alarm. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped with stolen ship's properties. (IMB)
3/5
INDONESIA: On 15 July, product tanker ORIENTAL GLORY, en route from Singapore to Sandakan, Malaysia was hijacked near position 01:44N – 105:07E, 44 nm north-northeast of Pulau Bintan. Pirates stole part of the 2,500 metric ton cargo of gas oil, and also stole crew personal property and damaged the vessel’s communication equipment and main engines before leaving. Three crew members were injured during the incident. (IMB; www.thestar.com.my; www.ibtimes.com) INDONESIA: On 9 July, robbers boarded an underway general cargo ship near position 01:59N – 108:28E, approximately 37 nm west-southwest of Pulau Merundung. The robbers briefly took the Master hostage, stole his personal properties, and escaped. During the incident the Master sustained serious injuries on the head. The incident is still under investigation. (IMB) PHILIPPINES: On 5 July, armed persons in a small motorboat approached and fired upon a fishing boat near position 06:58N – 118:30E, vicinity of Mapun de Tawi-Tawi. The fishermen jumped into the water to save their lives and were able to swim back to their boat after the armed persons left the area. It was reported that the Captain of the fishing boat was found dead and one crewman was missing. Incident reported to the Philippine Coast Guard. (IMB) INDONESIA: On 4 July, pirates hijacked the product tanker MORESBY 9 while underway near position 03:23N – 105:08E, approximately 34 nm west-northwest of Anambas Island. The pirates took hostage the crew and damaged the communications equipment. Owners reported the incident to the authorities and a search was carried out. On 5 July, the owners informed the authorities that they had established communication with the tanker. It was reported that the pirates stole approximately 2200 metric tons of their cargo of Marine Gas Oil (MGO) before escaping. Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is investigating the incident. (IMB; gCaptain) INDONESIA: On 2 July, two armed robbers in a wooden fishing boat boarded an anchored tanker from the stern near position 01:28N - 104:40E, 13 nm northeast of Pulau Bintan. Alert crew spotted the robbers and raised the alarm. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped empty-handed. (IMB) 4/5
Summary and recommendations:
Last month has seen low pirate activity in Indian Ocean region but this likely due the monsoon period. The suspicious approached in Bab Al Mandeb area may be just fishermen protecting their nets but could equaly be pirate tactics to inspect the vessels readines to protect themselves against hijacing. Therefore no guard should be dropped while passing through Red Sea and Indian Ocean.
The two hijackings and cargo theft near Johor Malaysia are signaling a serious criminal organization behind the incidents. The incidents are likely to continue. Previous incidents have taken place up to 80 nm of Bintulu so the advice to the vessels is to keep at least 100 nm distance of the coastline while passing the area. Also, the full setup of BMP4 measures should be used within the region. In case your vessels are boarded with armed and violent criminals the best way to avoid the increase of violence and thereby possible injuries or death of crew members is to comply with the hijackers’ demands.
The security situation near Nigeria and in surrounding waters is likely worsening. Internal power fights between the law enforcement agencies are good news to criminal gangs. Meanwhile the terror organization Boko Haram is causing tremendous problems on land that will be the top priority to deal with for the governmental security agencies. We advise to hire good companies to supervise local security in the region whenever it is possible. Also the practice of BMP4 is highly advised.
Sources: ICC, NATO, ONI, NGA, UKMTO, Oceanus Live, Shipping Position, Maritime Bulletin, Marsecreview, Reuters, CNN, BBC, NYT, Al Jazeera, All Africa, cCaptain, Hellenic Shipping News, Want China Times, DefenceWeb, New Straits Times, Sahara Reporters, IHS Maritime, Maritime Security Asia, Handy Shipping Guide, International Business Times etc.
We wish you safe voyages! For monthly Risk Assessments and other news follow ABURGUS: The same can be viewed in our Facebook page Aburgus Risk Management: Also all will be tweeted in Twitter @AburgusRM: Or visit our webpage www.aburgus.com for our provided services to assist you: Aburgus is an Estonian (EU) based and managed Risk Management Company. Our services include: -
Risk assessments, counselling and training of crews to mitigate the risks Protection of vessels with armed teams including enhancement of BMP4 Fast, precise and flexible solutions to the client’s needs in security
Let us know your concerns and we will come up with the feasible solutions. We take care!
5/5