German Cabinet extends anti-piracy mission in Horn of Africa

EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA's ESPS Canarias towed the vessel belonging to Somali Navy personnel back to the Somali shore.

The German Federal Cabinet has extended the anti-piracy mission EUNAVFOR (European Union Naval Force Somalia) – Operation Atalanta – in the Horn of Africa. The mandate, which expires on 31 May 2020, is to be continued for a further year until 31 May. 2021. The Bundestag (German parliament) still has to discuss and then vote on it.

Story by Jörg Fleischer

The personnel limit for the mission is up to 400 Bundeswehr soldiers. Operation Atalanta (the name is derived from the huntress of the same name from Greek mythology) has made a major contribution to reducing piracy in the Horn of Africa in recent years. However, there are still isolated pirate attacks. Some of the criminal networks continue to exist. That is why the mission is still necessary. Its main purpose is to protect United Nations World Food Programme ships and the African Union mission in Somalia in the Horn of Africa from piracy and to combat piracy. Atalanta’s presence in the maritime area of the Horn of Africa contributes to the stabilization of the region.

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Source: navalnews.com

Chinese trawlers fined for being in SA waters illegally

The maritime security component of the Department of Environment Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) notched up a major protection success earlier this month when six Chinese fishing trawlers were fined after illegally entering South African waters.

DEFF announced the success via a statement which did not give details of the fine amount or name the foreign fishing trawlers.

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Source: defenceweb.co.za

Italian Navy Deploys Frigate to the Gulf of Guinea while French Navy Suspends Patrol Mission

The Italian Navy (Marina Militare) dispatched for the first time one of its FREMM Frigates to patrol the Gulf of Guinea while the French Navy (Marine Nationale) suspended its maritime security mission off West Africa.

Martin Manaranche

For the first time the French Navy has suspended its permanent Mission Corymbe off West Africa due to the COVID-19 epidemic and withdrawn a vessel from the area.

The patrol vessel Lieutenant de Vaisseau Le Henaff, which started a scheduled deployment in early March for Mission Corymbe, returned to France at the end of the month.

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Source: navalnews.com

EU NAVFOR Somalia fights against piracy even under COVID-19 crisis

EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA units have few opportunities to collaborate with ships of other navies and Combined Task Forces (CTF) at sea. However, Operation ATALANTA always tries to increase synergies with regional states and military actors present in the region to be ready to deter, prevent and repress piracy and armed robbery at sea.

Operation ATALANTA had the opportunity to receive the support of the TF 53, a flexible and efficient unit that provides logistics support to the US fleet. In an excellent manoeuvre, Spanish frigate Numancia and US Navy ship Wally Schirra accomplished Replenishment at Sea (RAS) in only 2 hours.

Thanks to this support, not only can EU NAVFOR units extend their range of operation without entering a port, but also EU NAVFOR remains ready to accomplish his mandate even under COVID-19 crisis, reducing the risk of infection and protecting their crew. Risk mitigation measures are in place in order to ensure the continuation of the operation under the current circumstances.

EU NAVFOR remains full mission capable and ready to deter, prevent, and repress piracy. COVID-19 crisis has not reduced the capability of ATALANTA to fight against piracy and ATALANTA´s units are all fully operational.

Source: eunavfor.eu

ReCAAP ISC Weekly Report 21-27 April 2020

OVERVIEW
During 21-27 Apr 20, two incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC. Of the two incidents, one was a CAT 31 incident that occurred on board a bulk carrier while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait; and the other was a CAT 42 incident that occurred on board a tanker while anchored at Vung Tau Anchorage, Vietnam.

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Source: recaap.org

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Duterte security adviser says joint patrols OK if not hostile to China

By: Frances Mangosing

MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte’s national security adviser agreed with joint patrols among countries surrounding the South China Sea but not primarily to deter Chinese aggression but to strengthen cooperation.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, former military chief, was responding to remarks made by retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio recommending joint patrols between the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam in the South China Sea to show a united front against China, which has been using the coronavirus pandemic as a smokescreen for escalated aggression in the disputed area.

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Source: globalnation.inquirer.net

Covid-19: Indian Navy remains ‘combat ready’ despite spread of coronavirus

The Indian Navy (IN) has emphasised that it remains “combat-ready, mission-capable, and in full readiness”, after 26 of its personnel were quarantined after testing positive for Covid-19 coronavirus.

“All missions for coastal and offshore security continue as before. Operational units are being maintained in readiness by following a 14-day quarantine routine to meet immediate contingencies, including assistance to civil authorities and friendly maritime neighbours, said India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) on 18 April. “Our naval assets continue to be mission-deployed in three dimensions, with all the networks and space assets functioning optimally,” it added.

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Source: janes.com

Maritime security: NIMASA, Navy to improve information sharing

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Navy have made arrangements to improve information sharing through their respective security platforms to enhance maritime security in the country.

The NIMASA Command, Control, Computer Communication and Information Centre otherwise known as the C4i Centre of the Deep Blue Project along with the Falcon Eye of the Nigerian Navy are undergoing integration.

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Source: vanguardngr.com

Navy, MMEA to chase out illegal fishing vessels

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

PUTRAJAYA: The Royal Malaysian Navy and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency have stepped up their surveillance to check encroachment by foreign fishing vessels which could potentially spread Covid-19.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the two agencies would chase out any fishing vessels found encroaching Malaysian waters.

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Source: thestar.com.my

Nigerian Navy locates illegal refineries in Delta, seizes fishing trawler

By Jacob Seguin Olatunji

The Defence Headquarters on Tuesday said that the Nigerian Navy has located two illegal refineries around Opumami in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Brigadier-General Benard Onyeuko.

It stated that the sites were located by the Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA patrol teams which conducted anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT)/anti-illegal bunkering operations in its Area of Operation during the week.

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Source: tribuneonlineng.com