Italian Navy Deploys Frigate to the Gulf of Guinea while French Navy Suspends Patrol Mission

The Italian Navy (Marina Militare) dispatched for the first time one of its FREMM Frigates to patrol the Gulf of Guinea while the French Navy (Marine Nationale) suspended its maritime security mission off West Africa.

Martin Manaranche

For the first time the French Navy has suspended its permanent Mission Corymbe off West Africa due to the COVID-19 epidemic and withdrawn a vessel from the area.

The patrol vessel Lieutenant de Vaisseau Le Henaff, which started a scheduled deployment in early March for Mission Corymbe, returned to France at the end of the month.

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Source: navalnews.com

EU NAVFOR Somalia fights against piracy even under COVID-19 crisis

EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA units have few opportunities to collaborate with ships of other navies and Combined Task Forces (CTF) at sea. However, Operation ATALANTA always tries to increase synergies with regional states and military actors present in the region to be ready to deter, prevent and repress piracy and armed robbery at sea.

Operation ATALANTA had the opportunity to receive the support of the TF 53, a flexible and efficient unit that provides logistics support to the US fleet. In an excellent manoeuvre, Spanish frigate Numancia and US Navy ship Wally Schirra accomplished Replenishment at Sea (RAS) in only 2 hours.

Thanks to this support, not only can EU NAVFOR units extend their range of operation without entering a port, but also EU NAVFOR remains ready to accomplish his mandate even under COVID-19 crisis, reducing the risk of infection and protecting their crew. Risk mitigation measures are in place in order to ensure the continuation of the operation under the current circumstances.

EU NAVFOR remains full mission capable and ready to deter, prevent, and repress piracy. COVID-19 crisis has not reduced the capability of ATALANTA to fight against piracy and ATALANTA´s units are all fully operational.

Source: eunavfor.eu

Suspected pirates attack passenger boat in Rivers State

By

Suspected Sea Pirates terrorizing waterways within Kalabari route have attacked a passenger boat with passengers on board.

Some of the victims including the driver of the boat who identified himself as Sokpabobia Sokari narrated their ordeal to newsmen explaining that they were attacked within Namasebi waterways in Bille community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State while returning from Port Harcourt.

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Source: dailypost.ng

ReCAAP ISC Weekly Report 21-27 April 2020

OVERVIEW
During 21-27 Apr 20, two incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC. Of the two incidents, one was a CAT 31 incident that occurred on board a bulk carrier while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait; and the other was a CAT 42 incident that occurred on board a tanker while anchored at Vung Tau Anchorage, Vietnam.

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Source: recaap.org

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Duterte security adviser says joint patrols OK if not hostile to China

By:

MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte’s national security adviser agreed with joint patrols among countries surrounding the South China Sea but not primarily to deter Chinese aggression but to strengthen cooperation.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, former military chief, was responding to remarks made by retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio recommending joint patrols between the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam in the South China Sea to show a united front against China, which has been using the coronavirus pandemic as a smokescreen for escalated aggression in the disputed area.

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Source: globalnation.inquirer.net

Troops rescue 15 abducted persons, uncover 48 illegal refineries

By Kanayo Umeh

Troops of Operation Delta Safe fighting illegal oil bunkering and sea piracy, among other maritime crimes, have rescued 15 abducted persons who were held hostage in five speedboats after an encounter.

Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, made this known in Abuja yesterday, saying, “Troops of Sector 2 while on routine patrol at Nembe Owelesu, Bayelsa State encountered sea pirates at Abuja Open Water-Nembe, who escaped into the creeks on sighting the troop’s gunboats.

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Source: guardian.ng

Any illegal provocative action to be responded strongly

TEHRAN, Apr. 27 (MNA) – In a statement on Monday, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that any provocative action will be responded strongly and noted that Iran considers the presence of the US and its allies as a source of evil and insecurity in the region.

In a statement, the Iranian Armed forces described the US military presence in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of ​​Oman as a threat to regional security and said, “Establishing fake coalitions led by the US claiming to safeguard shipping security not only failed to serve its purpose but also is a dangerous move that disturbs regional peace and security.”

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Source: en.mehrnews.com

New customised cyber insurance product for shipowners

Ben Abraham

Willis Towers Watson, a global advisory, broking and solutions company, has unveiled a new type of cyber insurance product for shipowners that re-designs standard cyber policies to better navigate the risks for ship operators in the digital era.

The solution, CyNav, addresses cyber threats in the broadest sense, including losses that occur from cyber-related business interruptions, even when the cyber events originate with third party IT service providers.

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Source: seatrade-maritime.com

Short-lived freedom for 5 hostages of Abu Sayyaf

By Munguntan Vanar

KOTA KINABALU – Five Sandakan-based Indonesian fishermen were released by Abu Sayyaf captors only to be held again by another group that assisted their release.

Regional intelligence sources said intermediaries for families of the Indonesian hostages had settled the demands of a key Abu Sayyaf kidnap group, led by sub-commander Mike Apo, who then released them to Abu Sayyaf-linked middlemen.

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Source: asiaone.com

At least 3 Abu Sayyaf members killed as Sulu clashes continue

Eight soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion are wounded in the battle in Barangay Latih in Patikul, Sulu

JC Gotinga

MANILA, Philippines – Three members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed in clashes with the military in Sulu on Wednesday, April 22, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

Troops from the Philippine Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion on offensive against the ASG encountered an undetermined number of its members at around 6 pm in Barangay Latih, Patikul municipality, resulting in a firefight.

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Source: rappler.com