Piracy Situation Risk Assessment, July 2014, Issue 27 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 3 suspicious events in Indian Ocean/Red Sea area, 2 serious incidents near Nigeria, 2 incidents near Ghana and 1 robbery attempt near Togo. There were at least 14 robberies or attempts reported in South China Sea region.
On the search of missing products tanker Arsenal, which was earlier reported as hijacked (unlikely was been a victim of hijack but lost contact due to the failure of communication equipment on board), another crewless vessel was found. Galuh Pusaka, a product tanker registered in Indonesia, has been found drifting with navigational lights and engine off in South China Sea. The vessel had neither crew nor cargo, but its galley was well-stocked with fresh provisions. The authorities in Indonesia suspect the vessel was used by pirates to siphon and transport stolen oil from hijacked ships.
There have been two incidents near Bintulu, Malaysia where tankers have been targeted for their cargo. Last months, and including one reported incident near Johor, Malaysia in June, have seen tankers attacked and cargo lifted more in East, near to Singapore. The incidents near Bintulu may indicate a new criminal group forming out of Borneo island.
The situation with providing security in Nigerian waters is getting more than complicated. Now the BIMCO has warned that the members operating vessels within the Nigerian EEZ and territorial waters should be aware that they may be at risk of potentially significant liabilities and delays if they employ armed guards on board their vessels who are sourced from the Nigerian Marine Police, the Nigerian Police or the “Joint Task Force”. The Nigerian Navy only provides vessel escorts and it is understood to have sole primacy and authority in territorial waters and the EEZ. BIMCO has been advised that the Nigerian Navy does not provide or permit armed guards on merchant vessels. The Navy has seemingly begun enforcing its alleged authority to prevent the employment of armed guards on board and this has resulted in the arrest of members of the Nigerian Marine Police and consequent delays to the vessel and unresolved liabilities placed on the owners. This appears to apply regardless of whether the armed guard policemen are sourced by an agent or a PMSC. There have also been reports of incidents of “blue on blue” where policemen have opened fire on Nigerian Naval vessels believing they were pirates and where seafarers have been killed or injured in the crossfire. This trend indicates internal power games that unfortunately leave most of the vessels calling Nigerian waters without reasonable sercurity against robbers and pirates.
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