Piracy Situation Risk Assessment, October 2014, Issue 30 Highlights of the Past Month:
Last month has seen similar level of piracy related incidents around Indian Ocean region as the month before, totaling at least 7 cases those were released to public. In the Western African region the attacks or suspicious events have declined and only 1 attack with kidnap has been reported by some sources (dismissed by IMB to date). South China Sea region counted at least 7 serious incidents, including an incident of another oil cargo theft near Malaysia and Pulau Bintan (Indonesia) and also an incident of stealing of a vessel bunkers in Malacca Strait near Thailand.
On night of 6 Sept a group of heavily armed militants attacked a naval dock in Karachi's sea port and targeted what they believed was an American aircraft carrier, but instead found a Pakistan Navy frigate and were overwhelmed before they could cause any damage.
On 30 Aug 2014, off Baraawe, Somali Coast MV Andrea was attacked by mortars fired from the shore while sailing from Mogadishu to Kismayu. Andrea was sailing less than 3 nm from the shore when the incident occurred. 10 mortar rounds were fired at the ship in a period of 20 mins. Two rounds landed five meters from the ship.
On 18 Sept the quarterly Maritime Information Exchange Vessel Operators’ Meeting was held in Abu Dhabi. The participants (UKMTO, OiC, CTF 151, UKMCC, NAVCENT, Newport Africa Ltd., Olive Group, OCIMF) made the following main conclusions: Short Term Assessment: the threat remains unchanged, pirate tactics remain unchanged, elements of deception/concealment remain unchanged, and conditions post the SW monsoon will be more favorable for pirate activity. Long Term Assessment: it is likely that piracy event totals will remain low but will not stop completely. Piracy Future Trends – it is assessed that piracy will remain at or below the 2013 levels. Possible new trends may include attacks within anchorages / at night or possibly from new staging areas further south.
1/5
Latest major incidents: INDIAN OCEAN, RED SEA, PERSIAN GULF BAB EL MANDEB: 26 Sep – 13 05 18N, 043 05 30E – At 2126 UTC an MV reported being approached to within 1 – 2 cables by x 8/9 skiffs who followed for approximately 1.5 hrs. The MV transmitted a Mayday on VHF and HF DSC received by ships in the vicinity and shore authorities. Due to darkness the MV was unable to accurately identify any distinguishing features or confirm sightings of weapons/ladders. The embarked AST fired warning shots, contact breaking with the skiffs at 2257 UTC. (UKMTO; IMB) STRAITS OF HORMUZ: 25.09.2014: 1300 UTC: Posn: 26:15N - 056:45E, Around 13nm ESE of Musandam, Oman. The chief officer onboard a product tanker underway sighted a small high speed boat approaching from astern and informed bridge who raised the alarm. Master increased speed, took evasive maneuvers, activated fire pump, informed ships in vicinity, contacted UKMTO and the non-essential crew members mustered in the citadel. As the skiff closed, three armed persons were seen attempting to board the tanker using hooks attached with ropes. Due to the continued maneuvers and hardening measures taken by the tanker, the persons were unable to board the tanker and aborted the attempted attack. (UKMTO; IMB) GULF OF ADEN: 17 Sep – 13 42.5N, 050 28.3E - At 1305 UTC an MV reported being approached twice in the GoA by x 3 skiffs (one described as a mother-ship). On the first occasion the CPA being 1nm, on the second at posn 13 36.1N, 050 13.6E x 1 skiff closing to within 3 cables. The MV implemented protection measures, during the second approach the embarked Armed Security Team fired one parachute flare followed by two more, after no response by the skiff, x 3 warnings shots were fired whereupon the skiffs moved away. A coalition warship in the vicinity was being kept informed. (UKMTO)
2/5
IRAN: 5 Sep – 24 55N, 060 46E at 0700 UTC x 3 white-hulled skiffs approached a vessel to within 0.6nm. The skiffs carried x 2 or 3 POB wearing green or black clothing. The vessel operated hoses and the skiffs departed in a northerly direction towards the SoH. (UKMTO)
PERSIAN GULF: 4 Sep – 28 24N, 050 11E at 0645 UTC x 3 grey and orange-hulled speed boats approached a vessel’s starboard quarter to within 1.2nm. Each boat contained x 2 POB in black clothing, and reportedly were armed with a machine-gun partially covered by a tarpaulin. The Master conducted evasive maneuvers whilst being followed for 5 – 10 mins, after which the boats headed in a westerly direction. (UKMTO)
STRAITS OF HORMUZ: 2 Sep – 12 34N, 043 30E at 0800 UTC x 2 white and yellow skiffs making 18 knots approached a vessel to within 0.4nm on the port beam. The skiffs halted their approach after the embarked Armed Security Team displayed weapons. (UKMTO)
WEST AFRICA NIGERIA: On September 19 around 0415LT, pirates attacked a support vessel called ‘MV King Jesus’ in INIM Field in the waters off Akwa Ibom State. In the attack two Filipinos, one Romanian, one Indonesian and one Nigerian national were kidnapped. (Triple Canopy, Marsec Review)
3/5
SOUTHEAST ASIA THAILAND: 22.09.2014: 2130 LT: Posn: 07:12N - 098:00E, around 38nm SW of Phuket, Thailand. Seven pirates, in a speed boat, armed with guns boarded and hijacked a product tanker, in ballast while underway to Penang. They took hostage all the crew, tied their hands and stole their cash and personal items. The pirates then took the cadet and one AB and forced them to transfer the vessels bunkers into a waiting fishing vessel. Conversations between the pirates indicated that the fishing vessel was to be used to target other vessels in the vicinity. Once the transfer was complete, the pirates cut off the vessels navigation and radio equipment and release the crew. The crew managed to sail the tanker to a safe port. (IMB) BANGLADESH: On 18 September, twenty five robbers with knives approached an anchored vehicle carrier near position 22:12N – 091:47E, Chittagong Outer Anchorage. Ten robbers, armed with knives, boarded via the stern ramp coaming brackets. The alarm was raised and the crew mustered. The robbers stole mooring ropes and escaped, with no injuries to crew. The crew reported the incident to Port Control and Coast Guard who dispatched a boat. At 0645 local time, the Coast Guard contacted vessel indicating that the suspect vessel was apprehended and mooring ropes were recovered. (IMB) INDONESIA: On 17 September, eight armed pirates hijacked a product tanker, ORAPIN 2, enroute to Timor Leste, near position 01:26N 104:50E, 20 nm northeast of Tg Berakit, Bintan Island. The ORAPIN 2 rendezvoused with two smaller tankers and the cargo of gasoil was transferred. Later the pirates released the tanker and escaped. Crew and vessel are safe. (IMB, www.mmea.gov.my)
INDIA: On 3 September, three robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored product tanker near position 22:44N - 070:01E, Kandla Outer Anchorage. They threatened the duty crewman who managed to escape and inform the bridge. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the crew response, the robbers fled with stolen ships properties. (IMB)
4/5
Summary and recommendations:
The suspicious small boat actions in Indian Ocean region will likely remain the same. Most of them out there are the true fishing boats. However, the reports suggest the possible pirates are lurking around as well. According to maritime authorities the threat is not gone.
As concluded by maritime authorities’ in the latest quarterly meeting in Abu Dhabi the attacks within anchorages and at night are looming trend. It is highly advised to strengthen the watch keeping during anchoring at nights.
In the light of mortar fire incident near Somalia coast it is highly advised to leave some distance over to avoid being targeted by mortar fire. The maximum range of heavy mortars (120 mm) is 7200 m (4 nm).
There is also heightened threat for seafarers in countries that have Islamic rebel groups or their affiliates operating. The current advance of the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, and their call to kill all the nonbelievers, there are already kidnapping and killings happening. Advice is to avoid travels and crew changes in the following countries (in addition to the clear war zones): Libya, Sinai in Egypt, Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Lebanon, Kenia, and Nigeria.
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.
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5/5