Author: Maritime Security News

I entered the maritime security world in 2009, becoming Intelligence Officer for Neptune Maritime Security (now the NeptuneP2P Group). In 2012, became piracy editor for SomaliaReport.com and in 2013 became editor of MarsecReview.com and intelligence consultant for CSO Alliance, which I left in 2019. I currently work with another UK maritime security firm as a consultant and have an interest in a cyber security concern in the UK. Need a maritime security report, article or advice on maritime cyber security? contact me at: marsecnews@gmail.com

Gulf of Guinea records highest ever number of crew kidnapped in 2020, according to IMB’s annual piracy report

London and Kuala Lumpur, 13 January 2021 – The International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau (IMB)’s annual piracy report recorded an increase of piracy and armed robbery incidents in 2020.

In 2020, IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) received 195 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships worldwide, in comparison to 162 in 2019. The incidents included three hijacked vessels, 11 vessels fired upon, 20 attempted attacks, and 161 vessels boarded. The rise is attributed to an increase of piracy and armed robbery reported within the Gulf of Guinea as well as increased armed robbery activity in the Singapore Straits.

Incidents rise in the Gulf of Guinea

Globally, 135 crew were kidnapped from their vessels in 2020, with the Gulf of Guinea accounting for over 95% of crew numbers kidnapped. A record 130 crew members were kidnapped in 22 separate incidents. Since 2019, the Gulf of Guinea has experienced an unprecedented rise in the number of multiple crew kidnappings. In the last quarter of 2019 alone, the Gulf of Guinea recorded 39 crew kidnapped in two separate incidents.

Incidents in the Gulf of Guinea are particularly dangerous as over 80% of attackers were armed with guns, according to the latest IMB figures. All three vessel hijackings and nine of the 11 vessels fired upon in 2020 related to this region. Crew kidnappings were reported in 25% of vessel attacks in the Gulf of Guinea – more than any other region in the world.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: icc-ccs.org

Navy neutralised illegal refineries, arrested 707 suspects- Adeniran

Retired Rear Adm. David Adeniran, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Nigerian Navy in Calabar, says the navy has neutralised 291 illegal refineries, seized 31,310 bags of rice and arrested 707 suspects.

Adeniran stated this on Wednesday while enumerating some of his achievements during his service before he retired on Jan. 4.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: guardian.ng

Nigerian Navy Warns Niger Delta Militants Over Threat to Resume Attacks

By Samuel Oyadongha, Henry Umoru, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Dirisu Yakubu and Ozioruva Aliu

The Nigerian Navy has warned Niger Delta militants, who last week threatened to resume attacks on oil facilities over alleged Federal Government lackadaisical attitude to the development of the zone to have a rethink and toe the path of dialogue or be dealt with decisively.

This came as South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, asked the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio, to stop his constant interference with the activities of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for effective performance and service delivery to the people of the zone.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: allafrica.com

Maritime Security: Neo-colonialism in the Gulf of Guinea

By Munro Anderson, Dryad Global

Is neo-colonialism in the Gulf of Guinea the answer to West Africa’s maritime crime crisis?

In October 2020, China’s transport ministry established an ad hoc workgroup to lay down precautionary measures for ships and seafarers passing through high piracy risk West African waters.

The move came as China told its vessels to up vigilance and implement a series of precautionary measures to ensure the security of ocea-going vessels and seafarers amid rising attacks and a surge in kidnaps in the Gulf of Guinea.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: marinelink.com

Pakistan Maritime Security Agency recovers drugs worth billions of rupees

KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pakistan Maritime Security Agency has recovered 207 kg of crystal ice and 227 kg of heroin from a boat during anti-narcotics operation in the high seas.

Deputy DG Maritime Security Agency Faisal Sadiq while giving a briefing said that during operation in the open sea, the maritime security agency seized 207 kg of crystal ice and 227 kg of heroin from a boat called Al Hamad.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: dunyanews.tv

Fresh fears of piracy on Nigerian waters in 2021

By Sulaimon Salau

With the enormous havoc wrecked by the activities of the pirates in the Gulf of Guinea last year, shippers are yet to heave a sigh of relief as they are still in fear as to what the year holds for the seaborne trade.

The Gulf of Guinea’s coastal water constitutes a central shipping lane and experiences high piracy threats. Pirates regularly target commercial ships, bulk carriers, cargo ships and crews. Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea continues to spread, with several new hotspots emerging in recent months.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: guardian.ng

New strategies needed to eradicate piracy

A recent report has refocused attention on the debilitating effects of piracy on Nigeria’s coastal waters and the economy and the need for stronger official response. In reaction to alarming data by the International Maritime Bureau showing that the Gulf of Guinea accounts for over 90 per cent of global piracy and sea-based kidnapping, the Chinese authorities, leading other foreign nations, have suggested extra security protocols to protect their maritime trade with Nigeria and other sub-regional partners. The Federal Government needs to take extraordinary measures to secure its coastal waters through which 90 per cent of its international trade is conducted.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: punchng.com

Iraqi explosives experts defuse marine mine in Gulf waters

BAGHDAD, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) — Iraqi explosives experts on Saturday defused a marine mine attached to the hull of an oil tanker in the Gulf waters, the Iraqi military said.

The Iraqi explosives experts of the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the Iraqi Navy, were able to defuse the limpet mine and launched an investigation into the incident, said a statement by the media office of the Joint Operations Command (JOC).

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: xinhuanet.com

IRGC Seizes South Korean-Flagged Ship

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy has seized a South Korean-flagged ship in the Persian Gulf over environmental hazards, sources said.

Informed sources told Tasnim on Monday that the Iranian forces have seized the ship in the Persian Gulf due to environmental and chemical pollution concerns.

The ship has been seized by the IRGC naval forces.

Source: tasnimnews.com

MarsecNews: The news comes as reports emerged that the USS Nimitz, which was poised to return to the US this week, has now reverted and returned to its deployment in the Gulf, amid what US outlets referred to as “threats” against outgoing President Trump.

Esscom cripples drug trafficking syndicate at Semporna water village

By Avila Geraldine

SEMPORNA: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) busted a drug trafficking syndicate at a water village here, when they arrested seven individuals and seized RM13,000 worth of syabu in two separate raids.

Esscom commander Datuk Ahmad Fuad Othman, in a statement today, said in a recent operation at Kampung Batu, security forces raided a house built on stilts and found drug-related items on the living room floor.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: nst.com.my