Agency wants EU to expand maritime security mandate over Horn of Africa

By WINNIE ATIENO

A regional maritime organisation wants a European Union military ships operating in the Horn of Africa to extend its mandate to cover all maritime crimes in the Indian Ocean.

The Inter-Governmental Standing Committee on Shipping (ISCOS), says the EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA— which mainly focuses on anti-piracy activities — should extend its mandate to deal with all the maritime crimes including terrorism, charcoal smuggling as well as drug and human trafficking.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: businessdailyafrica.com

MSN Note: Expanding the mandate of Operation Atalanta has been discussed for years, but this is the first real credible move. Somalis have been asking for fisheries protection for some time, and a naval presence would go some way to deterring foreign fleets from IUU fishing activity in Somali waters. Additionally, as Somalia and Kenya continue to argue about their respective TTWs, maritime security for oil and gas will become increasingly important in the region. Al Shabaab continues to profit from smuggled charcoal, something which would become much harder with additional maritime security present.

Piracy reports on Nigeria is manipulated – Navy

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.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: vanguardngr.com

12 suspected oil ‘thieves’ arrested in Uyo

by Bassey Anthony

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.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: thenationonlineng.net

Top Cop recommends changes to maritime, piracy acts

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.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: stabroeknews.com

Libyan coastguards kill ‘escaping Sudanese migrant’

A Sudanese migrant who was trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe has been shot and killed by Libyan coastguards after being taken back to Libya, the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has said.

The man was part of a group of more than 100 people who were returned to shore on Thursday at the Abusitta Disembarkation point in the capital, Tripoli, but resisted being sent back to detention centres.

The IOM said that when people began running away, shots were fired. One bullet hit the man, who later died from his injuries.

The UN organisation condemned the incident and demanded that the Libyan authorities investigate and bring those responsible to justice.

“The use of live bullets against unarmed vulnerable civilians, men, women and children alike, is unacceptable under any circumstances and raises alarms over the safety of migrants and humanitarian staff,” the AFP news agency quotes the IOM’s Leonard Doyle as saying.

“Despite immediately receiving medical aid on the spot by an IOM doctor and then being transferred to a nearby clinic, he died two hours after admission,” he said.

The Libyan Coast Guard said it had picked up nearly 500 migrants from the sea in areas near Tripoli in the last six days and returned them to shore.

Source: bbc.com

Safety At Sea And BIMCO Publish Cyber Security White Paper

Safety at Sea, its parent company IHS Markit and its partner BIMCO, have been conducting surveys for years and the white paper, supported by ABS Advanced Solutions, combines an analysis of four years (2016-2019) of survey findings and feedback from experts and matches them to cyber behaviour and investment trends observable in the wider maritime industry.

Gathering knowledge of cyber security is an important tool and will benefit the entire industry.

“BIMCO takes cyber security very seriously and we are continually working on raising awareness among shipowners about cyber risks and how to prepare for cyber incidents” says Aron Sørensen, head of Maritime Technology & Regulation at BIMCO.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: hellenicshippingnews.com

Oil theft: Shell Nigeria deploys HD aerial cameras

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.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: punchng.com

SIFAX Group Decries Attacks On Vessels At Lagos Port

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.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: leadership.ng

Gulf of Guinea maritime crime round up

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

Nigeria: Losing war to vandals, oil thieves

With 45,347 breaks inflicted on Nigeria’s fuel pipelines in 18 years, thieves and vandals appear to be winning war against government and oil multinationals. Adeola Yusuf reports

For the umpteenth time, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) penultimate Wednesday announced collaboration with the Nigerian Navy to deepen war on crude oil theft. Describing theft and vamdalism as a menace, the two institutions declared a full-fledged war on crude oil theft and attacks on oil and gas facilities.

The duo came to the resolution when the NNPC GMD, Mallam Mele Kyari paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas at the Naval Headquarters.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: newtelegraphng.com