Combating piracy on Nigerian waters

By Chinweisu Amuta

Globally, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre, based in Singapore, recorded 201 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery in 2018, up from 180 in 2017. The Gulf of Guinea remained increasingly dangerous for seafarers as reports of attacks in waters between the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo more than doubled in 2018.

The expansion of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea poses a dire threat to local economies, potentially undermining what little stability currently exists in the region. Oil revenue, which many countries in the region rely upon, is seriously threatened by pirate activity; seven per cent of Nigeria’s oil wealth is believed lost due to such criminality.

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Source: guardian.ng

Troops kill 3 militants in clashes in southern Philippine islands

MANILA, March 20 (Xinhua) — Philippine troops have killed three militants, including an alleged Abu Sayyaf sub-leader, in two separate clashes in the jungles of Jolo island in southern Philippine provinces of Sulu and Basilan, the military said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the military said Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Angah Ajid and another militant, Sarih Edris, were killed during a firefight that broke out on Tuesday in a remote village of Talipao town.

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Source: xinhuanet.com

Bourbon PSV Escapes Pirate Attack off Nigeria

In late February, the Bourbon Offshore PSV Bourbon Explorer 502 escaped an attempted pirate attack that bore remarkable similarity to the boarding and kidnapping that occurred off Nigeria on March 10. 

On the morning of February 28, as the Bourbon Explorer 502 was operating about 30 nm southwest of Bonny Island in the Gulf of Guinea, she was approached by 16 armed pirates in two speedboats. In response, her bridge crew increased speed and started evasive maneuvers. All non-essential personnel mustered in the vessel’s citadel. 

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Source: maritime-executive.com

Nigeria: Navy Tackles Rising Cases of Illegal Fishing, to Acquire Dedicated Vessels

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Given the astronomical rise of cases of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing in Nigeria’s maritime domain, the Nigerian Navy (NN), yesterday said it has concluded plans with the Federal Department of Fisheries for the acquisition of dedicated vessels to contain the menace.

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who was represented by the Naval Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Beegroy Ibe-Enwo, made this disclosure in Lagos at the ongoing three-day Senior Leadership Symposium.

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Source: allafrica.com

16 fishermen hijacked from the Bay of Bengal

Sumon Shikdar, Barguna

The robbers looted the fish, fuel, and fishing nets from the trawlers, and abducted the fishermen Pirates hijack 16 fishermen and four fishing boats from the Bay of Bengal near Barguna.

President of Barguna district fishing trawler owners association, Golam Mustafa Chowdhury, confirmed the abduction of the fishermen and their  boats from Jahajkhari, Bay of Bengal, on Friday night.

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Source: dhakatribune.com

Coastguard Seizes Boat with 600 kilos of Cocaine in Waters of the Caribbean Sea

Authorities presume that the vessel was heading towards the coasts of Limón.

Patrols of the National Coastguard Service (SNG) captured in the Caribbean Sea, 27 nautical miles (about 50 kilometers) from the coast of Limón, a boat in which three people transported 600 kilos of cocaine and 14 kilos of marijuana.

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Source: maritimeherald.com

AMO Crew Makes $76M Drug Interdictions

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Over a two-day period, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents from Air and Marine Operations (AMO) foiled an international attempt to smuggle nearly three-tons of cocaine across open waters between Feb. 28 and Mar. 2.

These efforts resulted in the capture of three suspects, the interception of the illicit narcotics valued at $76,456,839 and the seizure of two vessels.

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Source: conservativedailynews.com

US, Philippine Navies Sail from Manila Bay

SOUTH CHINA SEA

03.19.2019

Courtesy Story

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet   

SOUTH CHINA SEA – U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) conducted a maritime cooperative activity with Philippine Navy (PN) vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF 16), March 19.

Following Blue Ridge’s port visit to Manila in which 7th Fleet-Philippine Navy staff talks were held, the routine drills strengthened both navies’ ability to communicate, maneuver and operate together. The U.S. and Philippine navies routinely conduct engagements, exercises and port visits like this and have done so for decades. 

“I couldn’t be prouder of the relationships we’ve built with our allies in the Philippines,” said Capt. Eric Anduze, commanding officer of USS Blue Ridge. “Having the opportunity to work closely with them at sea only strengthens our crew’s ability to operate in the Indo-Pacific.”

Exercises like MTA Sama Sama, Balikatan, SEACAT and RIMPAC enhance maritime cooperation between both navies, while annual missions like Pacific Partnership bolster humanitarian assistance disaster relief (HADR) capabilities. 

Blue Ridge recently completed a nearly 2-year extended dry-dock selected restricted availability period and numerous certifications, to ensure she remains ready to provide security in the Indo-Pacific region. Blue Ridge is commanded by Capt. Eric Anduze and serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force.

Source: dvidshub.net

2 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed, another captured

By BONG GARCIA

TWO Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while another was captured in separate clashes in the provinces of Sulu and Basilan.

Colonel Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said no casualty was reported on the government side in both clashes. The Abu Sayyaf bandits are on the run. 

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Source: sunstar.com.ph

Importers Pay N988bn Risk Surcharge For Nigerian-bound Vessels

By YUSUF BABALOLA

Nigerian importers have paid about $2.74 billion (N987.77 billion at prevailing rate of N360/$) in three years following the categorisation of Nigerian waters as a war risk, a development that spiked insurance premiums slammed on vessels and cargoes destined for Nigeria. 

LEADERSHIP recalls that foreign shipping companies slammed war surcharge premium, a supplementary carrier charge that is only applied when insurance underwriters designate specific zones as war risks.

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Source: leadership.ng