We cover piracy, armed robbery at sea, IUU fishing, maritime cyber security and maritime security issues.
by Faith Yahaya
The Federal Government said it has taken delivery of two helicopters, 20 speed boats and other equipment needed to secure Nigerian waters.
Last year, President Muhammadu Buhari approved $195 million to boost maritime security and reduce criminal activities. To achieve its aim, the government engaged an Israeli company to train some personnel on waterways security.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: thenationonlineng.net
Gabon’s navy has accepted a new maritime operations centre (MOC), which was built by the United States Navy’s Seabees. It will support Gabon in protecting its maritime borders and countering illicit trafficking.
The US Navy this week said Seabees assigned to US Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 turned over the MOC to the Gabonese navy at a ribbon cutting ceremony at Port Gentil on 3 May.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: defenceweb.co.za
The Iranian Navy plans to dispatch the 62nd flotilla of warships to free waters in the next few days to protect the country’s cargo ships and oil tankers against pirate attacks. The 62nd fleet includes Bayandor destroyer and Lavan and Bushehr logistic warships.
The 61st flotilla of the Iranian Navy had set off for the high seas to safeguard maritime routes used by Iranian vessels in international waters, especially in the Gulf of Aden, in March.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: navyrecognition.com
The Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday said it will acquire more platforms, including helicopters and fast interceptor boats, among others, to strengthen its operations in years ahead.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, stated this in Abuja, the nation’s capital, while addressing reporters on activities lined up for the 63rd anniversary celebration of the Navy.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: thenationonlineng.net
A crew sailing off the coast of Singapore had a close encounter with pirates late last week, according to a new report from ReCAAP, the south east Asian anti-piracy center.
A tug-and-barge was heading westbound about five miles southwest-by-west off the coast of Singapore on Sunday. That’s in the narrow strait between Singapore and Malaysia on one side and Indonesia on the other. The tug master reported by radio that six pirates were boarding the barge “Smit Cyclone”.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: freightwaves.com
The Nigerian Navy said on Wednesday that an alleged piracy attack and abduction of sailors on a ship named MT Apecus on April 19, 2019 was stage managed by one Osimili Adah, who is the Managing Director of Petrogress Incorporation in Nigeria.
The Executive Officer of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder Port Harcourt, Navy Capt. Adegoke Ebo, who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, said his men arrested Adah and 17 others including one Indian for allegedly attempting to illegally export stolen crude oil to Ghana.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: shipsandports.com.ng
By Ankit Panda
A U.S. Navy warship joined two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for a cooperative deployment in the strategic Malacca Strait on May 18.
USS William P. Lawrence, a U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, joined the MSDF’s Izumo-class helicopter carrier JS Izumo and Murasame-class destroyer JS Murasame in the Malacca Strait.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: thediplomat.com
By Meghan Curran
On the morning of January 27, 2019, two bombs exploded inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in Jolo on the Sulu Province in the southern Philippines. Tearing a hole through the cathedral during a Sunday service, the bombs claimed 20 lives, injured dozens more, and propelled Islamist extremism in the Philippines back into international headlines. In the aftermath of the blast, Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte promised to “pursue to the ends of the Earth the ruthless perpetrators behind [the] dastardly crime,”as the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the country’s notoriously violent Islamic separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attack. While President Duterte may not need to go to the “ends of the Earth” to put an end to the ASG-fueled terror, his government will certainly need to act beyond its own shores. Illicit maritime activities are at the root of ASG funding and operations, and ensuring the group’s defeat will require focused government efforts to improve maritime security in its area of operations.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: cimsec.org
By Captain Olivia Cobiskey
U.S. ArmyCJTF-HOA, May 21, 2019
VICTORIA, Seychelles — The East African island nation of Seychelles is a key partner with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, working towards increasing security and regional stability in the Indian Ocean.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, recently visited the Republic of Seychelles to discuss ways to increase interoperability between CJTF-HOA and the Seychelles.
“A key, vital forecast is the fact piracy is suppressed, not eradicated,” said Kriesel, the first CJTF-HOA leader to officially visit the Seychelles since 2012. “We, as a coalition, must maintain readiness to rise to the challenge of a potential resurgence.”
Kriesel met with leaders from the Seychelles People’s Defence Force, and the U.S. Embassy Mauritius and Seychelles, to discuss the crucial role the Seychelles, a group of 115 islands, has played in the fight against illegal fishing, the ongoing threat of piracy in the western Indian Ocean, and trafficking of weapons, narcotics and people. During the meeting, Seychelles People’s Defence Force leaders elaborated on their plan to increase information sharing and force capability to police the Indian Ocean.
Kriesel also visited the Regional Coordination and Operational Centre, seeing firsthand how the center operates and its pivotal role in promoting maritime security in the region.
“CJTF-HOA and the Regional Coordination and Operational Centre would benefit from conducting training and exercises similar to our subject matter expert exchange; ultimately, furthering strategic access,” said Kriesel.
The Regional Coordination and Operational Centre’s objectives are synergistic with CJTF-HOA’s lines of effort. Strengthening individual and institutional capacity, encouraging international capacity, and facilitating mutual dialogue with international, regional and national actors form the foundation of the Regional Coordination and Operational Centre, resulting in success in their anti-piracy mission. Approximately 100 pirates have been repatriated to Somaliland; however, the government is concerned criminals are regrouping and obtaining financing for future activity, said Col. Clifford Roseline, chief of the Seychelles People’s Defence Force.
“Seychelles is proud to be a member of the Combined Maritime Forces,” said Roseline, who joined the Seychelles People’s Defence Force in 1978. The Seychelles rely on collaboration with maritime and international partners to share information and intelligence to ensure their forces are at the right place, at the right time, to continue to combat trafficking as it evolves in today’s operational landscape.
“The Combined Maritime Forces is seeing not only an increase in human trafficking, but a rise in the trafficking of both charcoal and sugar, which funds terrorist organizations in East Africa,” said Roseline.
“The Seychelles is more than just a partner on the high seas,” said Melanie Zimmerman, deputy chief of mission of the U.S. Embassy Mauritius and Seychelles, who also noted the country has the ability to prosecute suspected pirates detained by European Union Naval Force ATALANTA (EU NAVFOR) forces and U.S. Naval Forces Africa.
“CJTF-HOA values its partners and looks forward to continued collaboration with Seychelles,” Kriesel said at the conclusion of his visit.
Source: hoa.africom.mil
SULU: Philippine National Police (PNP) Sulu Provincial Commander Pablo Labra reported Saturday that a Dutch hostage abducted by the Abu Sayyaf militants seven years has joined the terrorist group.
Identified as 57-year old Ewold Horn, Labra said the kidnap victim turned outlaw together with Swiss national Lorenzo Vinciguerra were adopted by Abu Sayyaf militants and suspected MNLF members in Tawi-Tawi in 2012.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source:dailyexpress.com.my
Maritime Security News 