We cover piracy, armed robbery at sea, IUU fishing, maritime cyber security and maritime security issues.
Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia
OVERVIEW
During 5-11 Mar 19, an incident of armed robbery against ship was reported to ReCAAP
ISC. The incident occurred on 5 Feb 19 and was reported to ReCAAP ISC by Focal Point
Singapore after verification with the relevant agencies. The location of the incident is
shown in the map below; and detailed description of the incident is tabulated in
attachment.
The full report is attached here as a PDF.
Source: recaap.org
KOTA KINABALU: Security forces in eastern Sabah have gone on full alert amid reports that at least 17 Abu Sayyaf gunmen led by three notorious sub-leaders are on the hunt for “value kidnap” targets.
The group, believed led by sub-commanders Salip Mura, Majan Sahidjuan @ Apo Mike and Abu Radin, left their stronghold in Jolo two days ago and headed towards the Tawi-Tawi chain of islands that borders Sabah’s east coast to take hostages.
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Source: thestar.com.my
By Ada Wodu
The Nigerian Navy has recovered the two boats hijacked by militants on Saturday in the Bakassi area of Cross River State.
The boats were conveying the Independent National Electoral Commission’s ad hoc staff for election duty when they were accosted and abducted on the sea.
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Source: punchng.com
Underway OSV attacked by two speedboats at 1550 UTC in position 03:50N – 006:30E, approx 21nm SSE of Brass, Nigeria. Speedboats w/ 6 armed POB in each fired upon escorting security vessel. Unconfirmed report states several pirates and one security personnel killed. Pirates in second speedboat reportedly boarded OSV (status unverified) Awaiting further details. (Reported (MDAT/Source) 9 Mar. Via OCEANUSLive.org
The Bayelsa chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied allegations linking it to the killing of a Navy personnel during Saturday’s House of Assembly election in the state.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state had accused APC of complicity in the death of the officer, who was escorting a boat conveying election materials to Brass Local Government Area. The boat was said to have been attacked in the sea by suspected pirates who shot the naval personnel.
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Source: pulse.ng
The geographic boundaries of the ‘High Risk Area’ for piracy in the Indian Ocean have been reduced.
An industry group of shipping and oil industry organizations BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) are responsible for setting the High Risk Area, and they emphasize that a serious threat remains despite the reduction to the area’s geographic boundaries and that correct reporting, vigilance and adherence to 5th edition of the best management practice (BMP5) remains crucial.
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Source: maritime-executive.com
Please see this week’s report from UKMTO attached as a PDF.
The Round Table of international shipping associations plus the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) have issued new advice to merchant ship operators about the boundaries, while emphasising that a serious threat from piracy still exists in the region.
The High Risk Area reflects the area where the threat from piracy exists, whilst recognising the ongoing containment of pirate attacks in the Indian Ocean. The industry group which has redefined the boundaries includes BIMCO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO.
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Source: bunkerspot.com
Iran’s naval forces saved one of the country’s oil tankers from a pirate attack in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which links the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea, a Navy official said.
According to the official, the pirates launched the attack early on Thursday on board 11 speed boats.
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Source: iranian.com
Maritime Security News Note:
Well. It’s been quite some time since the Iranian Navy claimed to have foiled a pirate attack. Few navies have killed as many invisible pirates as Iran’s, and the location of this incident is curious to say the least. It’s unlikely that Somali pirates would transit that far our of the Gulf of Aden, given the military traffic around Yemen’s coast. Additionally, for Somali pirates to muster 11 skiffs to attack… in 2019? There isn’t a pinch of salt big enough, frankly. Generally, contact in this area is usually from elements of the Saudi coalition, who often patrol the anchorages off Mocha and Hodeidah by speed boat, or Houthi militants. It’s also unlikely that the Iranians would engage Houthis in combat.
MANILA, Philippines — The military launched a new offensive on members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) on Friday, after it reportedly monitored a consolidation of terrorists in the hinterlands of Patikul, Sulu.
“Various military assets were employed together with the assaulting ground troops to attack the ASG lairs in Sulu at 6:40 a.m.
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Source: newsinfo.inquirer.net
Maritime Security News 