Fresh fears of piracy on Nigerian waters in 2021

By Sulaimon Salau

With the enormous havoc wrecked by the activities of the pirates in the Gulf of Guinea last year, shippers are yet to heave a sigh of relief as they are still in fear as to what the year holds for the seaborne trade.

The Gulf of Guinea’s coastal water constitutes a central shipping lane and experiences high piracy threats. Pirates regularly target commercial ships, bulk carriers, cargo ships and crews. Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea continues to spread, with several new hotspots emerging in recent months.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: guardian.ng

New strategies needed to eradicate piracy

A recent report has refocused attention on the debilitating effects of piracy on Nigeria’s coastal waters and the economy and the need for stronger official response. In reaction to alarming data by the International Maritime Bureau showing that the Gulf of Guinea accounts for over 90 per cent of global piracy and sea-based kidnapping, the Chinese authorities, leading other foreign nations, have suggested extra security protocols to protect their maritime trade with Nigeria and other sub-regional partners. The Federal Government needs to take extraordinary measures to secure its coastal waters through which 90 per cent of its international trade is conducted.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: punchng.com

IRGC Seizes South Korean-Flagged Ship

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy has seized a South Korean-flagged ship in the Persian Gulf over environmental hazards, sources said.

Informed sources told Tasnim on Monday that the Iranian forces have seized the ship in the Persian Gulf due to environmental and chemical pollution concerns.

The ship has been seized by the IRGC naval forces.

Source: tasnimnews.com

MarsecNews: The news comes as reports emerged that the USS Nimitz, which was poised to return to the US this week, has now reverted and returned to its deployment in the Gulf, amid what US outlets referred to as “threats” against outgoing President Trump.

Esscom cripples drug trafficking syndicate at Semporna water village

By Avila Geraldine

SEMPORNA: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) busted a drug trafficking syndicate at a water village here, when they arrested seven individuals and seized RM13,000 worth of syabu in two separate raids.

Esscom commander Datuk Ahmad Fuad Othman, in a statement today, said in a recent operation at Kampung Batu, security forces raided a house built on stilts and found drug-related items on the living room floor.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: nst.com.my

Multiple piracy attacks rock Bonny waters, threaten NLNG vessel

By Tola Adenubi

Multiple piracy attacks within the Bonny waters has left a scare on a Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) vessel, LNG Lagos II while another vessel has been boarded by an unknown number of pirates within the Bonny Island waters.

In an advisory notice issued at the weekend by Dryad Global to nearby vessels within the Bonny waters, the United Kingdom-based maritime security firm revealed that a Singapore flagged container ship, Maersk Cadiz with IMO Number 9526459 was approached and boarded by an unknown number of suspected pirates while sailing from Tema to Kiribi at 118 nautical miles South West Bonny Island.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: tribuneonlineng.com

Iran Dispatches New Naval Flotilla to High Seas

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian Navy’s 71st flotilla of warships set sail for international waters on Saturday as part of regular missions to ensure security of the country’s trade vessels.

The 71st fleet, including Alborz destroyer and Khark helicopter-carrier, departed Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas for high seas.

The flotilla started its journey after the return of the 70th fleet, which comprised Sabalan destroyer and Lavan logistical warship.

The latter has returned from a mission to Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

In recent years, Iran’s naval forces have increased their presence in international waters to secure naval routes and protect merchant vessels and oil tankers against pirates.

In comments in October, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said Iran’s first homegrown auxiliary ship is capable of sailing around the globe three times without being refueled.

Source: tasnimnews.com

Esszone curfew extended

TAWAU: The curfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), scheduled to end today (Wednesday), has been extended to Dec 31.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali (pic) said the curfew covers the waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: dailyexpress.com.my

Eight More Crewmembers Abducted off Cargo Ship by Nigerian Pirates

The toll on seafarers continues to rise in the Gulf of Guinea with reports that eight crew members early this morning. The threat to seafarers remains high in the region with the security services warning that additional incidents are likely in the coming days.

The latest incident, the ninth this morning according to Dryad Global, involved a 38-year old bulk carrier, the Stevia. The 11,990 DWT vessel registered in Cameroon was reportedly sailing from southern Nigeria to Abidjan, Ivory Coast when it was attacked by what is believed to local Nigerian militants. Praesidium reports that the vessel’s speed dropped and was believed to be drifting for about two hours.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: maritime-executive.com

U.S Government hands over equipment to Nigerian Navy to combats threats in Gulf of Guinea

By William Ukpe

The United States of America has handed over maritime equipment to the Nigerian Navy to secure maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea and also promote bilateral relations between both nations.

This was disclosed by Claire Pierangelo, Consular General, U. S. Embassy, and Rear Adm. Oladele Daji, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) represented by Rear Adm. Tanko Pani, the Chief Staff Officer, during the handover ceremony on Friday.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: nairametrics.com

Three Beninese Arrested In Lagos Waters While Stealing Petrol

The Nigerian Navy has arrested three nationals of Benin Republic in Lagos and handed them over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps for allegedly stealing 6,250 litres of petrol.

While parading the suspects, Mr Paul Ayeni, the Commandant of the Lagos State Command, said they were apprehended by the patrol team of the Navy on December 5, at about 7.50 am.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: saharareporters.com