Piracy situation risk assessment, December 2012, Issue 8 Highlights of the past month
Last month has seen once again low pirate activity around East-Africa. There was one reported incident nearby Somalia. According to some news Somali pirates have become decent real estate developers in neighboring countries.
Meanwhile the small but painful robbery incidents are increasingly taking place on Indonesian waters. Last month there were 13 such incidents reported by various vessels. In Vietnam a tanker was actually hijacked and the crew forced to abandon the vessel. At least one firearm was noticed. However, the tanker was quickly recovered by Vietnam Marine Police and hijackers captured.
The number of attacks in the Gulf of Guinea now stands at 43 for the year and has been on the rise recently, including several hijackings, kidnappings and killings. Pirates usually target fuel cargo, loading it onto other ships to sell on the lucrative black market. Regulatory bodies have repeatedly warned ships traversing the area to be cautious and called on authorities to step up patrols last year saying the region was emerging as a new piracy hub. Piracy continues to be an ongoing problem off Nigeria, but it has now spread to neighboring nations.
Latest incidents (ICC Live Piracy Reports and other sources) SOMALIA: On 28 November, the NATO Shipping Centre posted a report of suspicious activity in the Somali Basin. The activity consisted of 2 skiffs, with personnel transporting ladders and weapons in their skiffs, which made a close aboard pass against a transiting merchant ship. The location listed was 0640 N – 05905 E and the event took place at 1100 UTC. Vessels are advised to keep well clear of this position and to exercise extreme caution if in vicinity. TOGO: Cargo ship experienced a suspicious approach on 21 November at 06:03 N – 001:16 E, at the Lome Anchorage. Six robbers in three unlit boats approached an anchored general cargo ship twice in 30 minutes. The boats hid behind the bunker barge before approaching the vessel from the port and starboard sides. On both occasions, the boats were unsuccessful due to vigilance of the crew, hardening of the vessel, and the presence of security personnel. On reporting to port control a navy boat was sent out for inspection. (IMB) 1/5