We cover piracy, armed robbery at sea, IUU fishing, maritime cyber security and maritime security issues.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A cargo ship owned by an Israeli company was damaged by a missile in the Arabian Sea on Thursday in what was suspected to be an Iranian attack, an Israeli security official said.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the ship was on its way from Tanzania to India and was able to continue its voyage after the attack.
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Source: reuters.com
Campaign against ships, using mines, shows an expansion of hostilities in the Mideast
By Gordon Lubold, Benoit Faucon and Felicia Schwartz
WASHINGTON—Israel has targeted at least a dozen vessels bound for Syria and mostly carrying Iranian oil out of concern that petroleum profits are funding extremism in the Middle East, U.S. and regional officials say, in a new front in the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Since late 2019, Israel has used weaponry including water mines to strike Iranian vessels or those carrying Iranian cargo as they navigate toward Syria in the Red Sea and in other areas of the region.
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Source: wsj.com
In a statement on Tuesday, Saeed Khatibzadeh said the crew members of the South Korean ship have been permitted to leave Iran “in a humanitarian gesture”.
He said the ship crew have obtained permits to leave Iran upon a request from the government of South Korea and cooperation from the Iranian Judiciary.
The legal procedures concerning the case of the offending ship and violation of law by its captain are still going on, the spokesman added.
Khatibzadeh further noted that Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea Choi Jong Kun have held a telephone conversation about an immediate release of Iran’s frozen funds in South Korea and the “effective mechanisms” to use those assets.
Iranian naval forces seized South Korean-flagged oil tanker HANKUK CHEMI on January 4 for creating environmental hazard.
The tanker, which had departed from Saudi Arabia’s Al Jubail port, was carrying 7,200 tons of oil chemical materials in violation of environmental regulations.
Source:
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps described military exercises as a reminder that Iran is fully ready to safeguard its interests, warning the adversaries to avoid any miscalculation as Iran’s finger is on the trigger.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Major General Hossein Salami said military drills in Iran demonstrate the country’s deterrent power.
The war games also make it clear to the enemies that they must avoid any miscalculation about Iran’s defense power, the IRGC commander added.
The general also noted that the military drills give the enemies the message that Iran would protect its independence, dignity and identity without any consideration.
“Our fingers are on the trigger on behalf of the great Iranian nation,” he said, underlining that the IRGC forces are prepared to deal with the threats along the border, in the heart of homeland, or deep in the faraway territories.
The Iranian Army and the IRGC have held several exercises across Iran over the past two weeks.
In a war game on Saturday, the IRGC Aerospace Force blasted targets in the northern parts of the Indian Ocean with long-range ballistic missiles from a distance of 1,800 kilometers.
Source: tasnimnews.com
BAGHDAD, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) — Iraqi explosives experts on Saturday defused a marine mine attached to the hull of an oil tanker in the Gulf waters, the Iraqi military said.
The Iraqi explosives experts of the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the Iraqi Navy, were able to defuse the limpet mine and launched an investigation into the incident, said a statement by the media office of the Joint Operations Command (JOC).
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Source: xinhuanet.com
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.
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
Media Release
After six months conducting counter piracy operations with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in the Gulf of Aden, the Japanese ship Ohnami prepares to return to her home port.
The Takanami class destroyer has been working in support of the CMF’s Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, a counter-piracy task force which is currently led by the Turkish Navy.
During their six month deployment JS Ohnami has accompanied hundreds of merchant ships in convoys to safeguard them from pirate attacks as they transit through the Gulf of Aden. The ship has also participated in a number of focused operations to deter piracy activity as the weather becomes more favourable for the pirates to operate small quick skiffs.
“The JS Ohnami’s dedication and professionalism has been essential for successful counter piracy operations. Thank you very much for supporting CTF 151 in so many diverse ways,” said Rear Admiral Nejat Inanir, commander of CTF 151.
With such a vast area of operations to patrol, partnership is at the centre of counter piracy operations in the region. The ability to work with other nations, across multiple languages, during operations and exercises is key to is key to the success of CTF 151 in combating piracy activity in the High Risk Area.
Led by Commander Ishidera, the Ohnami crew have also engaged in many Passing Exercises, proving their ability to operate with warships from many nations. These exercises involve sharing information between partner navies securely and effectively, a crucial part of combating piracy.
As the JS Ohnami prepares to sail home from her successful deployment, the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force has handed over the baton to another destroyer, the JS Ariake, to continue the vital work to secure freedom of navigation of the millions of tons of merchant shipping that transits through the region annually.
Established in 2001, CMF comprises 33 member nations united by their desire to maintain maritime security by countering non-state actors who use the maritime environment to conduct illegal acts such as narcotics smuggling and piracy.
Media release
The Turkish-led Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) held a recent engagement with the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Ops) of the Pakistan Navy, two months ahead of the Pakistan takeover of CTF 151 command.
Rear Admiral Nejat Inanir of the Turkish Navy, the Commander of the Combined Maritime Forces’ CTF 151, followed the current Covid-19 trend of using Zoom conference calling to discuss matters of mutual cooperation and security in the region. Pakistan will be assuming command of CTF 151 in December for a record ninth time, marking this time as a key preparation period.
RAdm Inanir thanked the longstanding support and contribution of the Pakistan Navy to the Combined Maritime Forces for its provision of personnel and maritime assets which contribute to counter piracy operations in the region.
“I am so pleased to see Pakistan contribute to CMF so effectively. Their support aids how we maintain maritime security and ensure the free flow of commercial maritime trade,” said RAdm Inanir said. “We are seeing a large increase in small vessel activity now that the monsoon season is transitioning and it’s vital that CTF 151 continues to suppress any piracy activity early.”
Cdre Faisal commended the strong leadership of Turkish-led CTF 151: “All support will be provided to CTF 151 for Counter Piracy Operations as and when required,” he said.
Both Commanders agreed to provide further assistance and collaboration to achieve their common goal of providing maritime security in the region and making the seas safe for legitimate mariners and seafarers.
The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is a multinational maritime partnership which exists to counter illicit non-state actors on the high seas, promoting security, stability and prosperity in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman. CTF 151 is one of three CMF task forces with the mission to deter piracy across the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Oman, protecting the free flow of maritime commerce. Pakistan last led CTF 151 in 2016.
ENDS
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran said it has foiled a cyberattack on the electronic infrastructures of the seaports.
The Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran announced in a statement that its information technology experts have thwarted a cyberattack targeting the electronic infrastructures of the Iranian ports.
All missions and activities of the Ports and Maritime Organization are going on normally, the statement added, noting that online services are being provided to prevent any disruption to the freight services or loading and unloading operations even for a moment.
Last month, an official said the export of non-oil commodities in the first half of the current Iranian year via the southeastern port city of Chabahar has risen by 95 percent compared to the corresponding period a year earlier.
Chabahar is the closest and best access point of Iran to the Indian Ocean and Iran has devised serious plans to turn it into a transit hub for immediate access to markets in the northern part of the Indian Ocean and Central Asia.
Source: tasnimnews.com
Maritime Security News 