We cover piracy, armed robbery at sea, IUU fishing, maritime cyber security and maritime security issues.
By Godwin Oritse
The Nigerian Navy has warned the media against carrying the international piracy reports on Nigeria as credible news saying that, “Most of these are manipulated for their economic gains.’’
Speaking at the third Ministerial stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, said that these reports hurt businesses in Nigeria when they are published.
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Source: vanguardngr.com
MOSCOW, Russia – Moscow on Sunday, September 22, said 3 Russian seamen abducted in an act of piracy off the coast of Cameroon in August have been freed and brought to Germany.
The Russians were part of a group of sailors, including Chinese and Ukrainian citizens, taken hostage in mid-August after an attack on their merchant ships in the Gulf of Guinea. In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry said they were “released from pirate captivity” and that their health was “satisfactory.”
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Source: rappler.com
An Iranian man held by Somali pirates for more than four years was flown to Ethiopia’s capital Saturday after his captors released him because he needed urgent medical care.
The release of Mohammad Shariff Panahandeh means just three hostages remain in the custody of Somali pirates, according to the Hostage Support Partnership, the charity that negotiated his release.
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Source: observer.ug
The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has arrested 12 suspects, seized 50 drums of illegal Automated Gas Oil (AGO or diesel) and 486 bags of smuggled rice from them.
The new Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Peter Yilme, who said the arrests were made within two days of his assumption of office, noted that the navy is determined to end smuggling on the waterways and warned smugglers to desist from the illegal activity.
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Source: thenationonlineng.net
Commissioner of Police Leslie James yesterday gave testimony at the Commission of Inquiry into the piracy attack in which over a dozen fishermen were killed off the coast of Suriname last year May.
As part of his testimony in Berbice, he recommended changes to the maritime and piracy acts in order to better enforce the acts as well as improve the fishing sector. He also stressed the need for aerial surveillance of the high seas.
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Source: stabroeknews.com
DUBAI, Sept 18 (Reuters) – Iran will hold its annual military parade on Sept. 22 in the Gulf with 200 frigates of its elite Revolutionary Guards Corps, Iran Front Page reported on Wednesday, at a time of spiked tension between Tehran and Washington.
“Some 200 IRGC frigates will take part in a parade of military units in the Persian Gulf… on Sept. 22 to mark the beginning of Iran-Iraq in 1980,” the IFP cited military sources as saying.
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Source: yahoo.com
Femi Asu
Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited has said it has deployed state-of-the-art high definition cameras for quick detection of and response to crude oil spills from its facilities.
The oil major said that the cameras would also help in tracking vandalism of the SPDC joint venture assets.
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Source: punchng.com
By Jeremiah
Indigenous terminal operator, SIFAX Group has raised the alarm over incessant attacks on vessels at berth by sea-robbers and hoodlums. SIFAX Group is the operators of Ports and Cargo Terminal at the Tin Can Island port of Lagos.
Group executive vice-chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr Taiwo Afolabi disclosed this at the weekend during the 4th edition of Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime Conference (TAAM) with the theme, “Innovation and Practical Reforms Towards Sustainable Growth in the Maritime Sector” which held in Lagos.
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Source: leadership.ng
CAIRO (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia has joined an international maritime mission to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and other areas, Saudi state media reported on Wednesday, citing an official source in the defense ministry.
The operation area for the International Maritime Security Construct covers the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Gulf, the report said.
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Source: reuters.com
Four robbers armed with a gun and knives boarded an anchored Marshall Islands-flagged product tanker at 0250 UTC in position 09:25N – 013:44.1W, around 5nm SSW of Conakry, Guinea. They took hostage the duty AB, tide his hands and forced him to lead them to the bridge. Once inside the bridge the robbers took hostage the duty officer and forced him to lead them to the Captain, Chief Engineer, third officer and bosun’s cabins. After looting the cabins, the robbers locked the crew in a cabin and escaped. Crew personal belongings, cash and ship’s properties stolen. SSAS activated; Duty Officer tried to contact local authorities via VHF but no response. Reported (IMB) 16 Sep. Via OCEANUSLive.org.
Eight persons in a speed boat, boarded a fishing vessel conducting fishing operations at 2200 UTC in position 04:10.26N – 008:55.33E, around 4.3nm SW of Idenao, Cameroon. The perpetrators kidnapped two crew members and escaped. Cameroon navy notified and investigations are ongoing. Reported (IMB) 13 Sep. Via OCEANUSLive.org
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