We cover piracy, armed robbery at sea, IUU fishing, maritime cyber security and maritime security issues.
KOTA KINABALU: The curfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), which ends at 6pm tomorrow, has been extended until June 19, said Sabah Police Commissioner, Datuk Zaini Jass.
Zaini said the curfew covered the waters off Tawau Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran and residents were required to remain at home throughout the curfew period.
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Source: nst.com.my
The French frigate FS “Languedoc” has begun its deployment under EMASOH (European-led Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz) command since May 19.
EMASOH press release
In order to ensure a safe navigational environment and to enhance maritime situational awareness, the FS Languedoc will be operating closely together with the Dutch frigate “HNLMS de Ruyter” and the French Maritime Patrol Aircraft Atlantique 2.
“Our sensors and our NH90 helicopter allow us a permanent watch in the area to enhance the common maritime security. We are looking forward to contribute to the security of navigation and the free flow of commerce in an area that is crucial for the world economy and European interests”
Captain Jean-Pierre Helluy, commanding officer of the FS Languedoc.
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Source: navalnews.com
An Australian man has been rescued after being robbed by pirates on speed boats off the coast of Bali.
Tadeusz Nowicki, 70, spent three days stranded at sea near Tanjung Menjangan, South Sumatra, after the horrifying incident on May 22. He was alone of his yacht, named Hoopla, when up to ten pirates armed with guns swarmed him.
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Source: dailymail.co.uk
LAHAD DATU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) is on high alert after receiving intelligence information of a possible kidnap for ransom plan by the militant Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the waters of the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).
ESSCom commander Datuk Hazani Ghazali said yesterday ESSCom has taken the necessary measures, such as stepped-up patrols and readiness, following receipt of the information which has been shared with the Philippine authorities.
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Source: theborneopost.com
On 22 May, the ReCAAP ISC received information from the Philippine Coast Guard (ReCAAP Focal Point) that a group of approximately five ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) members armed with assorted firearms is planning to conduct kidnapping activities in undisclosed areas in Sabah, Malaysia. They are targeting wealthy businessmen or crew of fishing boats and other slow moving ships plying within the waters off Sabah, Malaysia. The group came from Sulu and was monitored to have landed at Omapoy Island, Sipangkot, Sitangkai, Tawi Tawi.
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Source: recaap.org
To download the ReCAAP alert PDF, please click here.
SafeSeas is pleased to announce the first report resulting from collaboration with Stable Seas: What we know about Piracy
Authored by Lydelle Joubert, the report draws on desk-based research conducted between June 2019 and March 2020. It provides a systematic overview of data, answering the questions:
To download the report, please click here.
MarsecNews: This is a good overall read and covers the topic very well. Full marks to Lydelle and the team.
The curfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), which ends tomorrow, has been extended until June 4.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Zaini Jas said the curfew covered the waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.
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Source: bernama.com
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a weekly cabinet session on Wednesday, General Hatami said the US and other countries are well aware that Iran will not hesitate to take serious action against any threat to its oil tankers that are bound for Venezuela.
Causing any disturbance to the oil tankers would be in violation of the international law and must draw a reaction from international organizations and countries that care about the security of maritime routes, he added.
Describing any action against the trade vessels as an act of piracy, he said, “Our policy is clear and we have announced explicitly that we will not tolerate any disturbance.”
If the disturbance continues and escalates, Iran will definitely show a decisive and crushing response, the defense minister added.
On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sent a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, warning the US about sending troops to the Caribbean Sea with the aim of interfering with the transfer of Iran’s fuel to Venezuela.
Zarif has stressed that the US must give up bullying on the world stage and respect the rule of international law, especially free shipping in the high seas.
Source: tasnimnews.com
The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) monitored an incident involving a United Kingdom flagged tanker which was approached in the international waters of the Gulf of Aden, May 17.
Initial reports indicated the Stolt Apal tanker was approached by two speed boats approximately 100 miles off the coast of Yemen. The incident occurred in IMSC’s area of operations.
“While we do not yet know who is responsible for this incident, it serves as an example of the behaviour IMSC is here to deter,” said Commodore Rob Bellfield, IMSC commander.
No immediate threat to the free flow of shipping was assessed, and no further action was taken by IMSC vessels or aircraft.
The multi-national, British-led IMSC deploys ships and aircraft throughout the region as part of the international surveillance and detection effort, ensuring freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce in international waters.
Source: dvidshub.net
UKMTO and media outlets report that on May 17th, the UK-flagged Stolt Apal was attacked by suspected Somali pirates in two skiffs, in the IRTC, Gulf of Aden.
The initial UKMTO report stated that at approximately 1230UTC a MV was attacked in position 1343N 05037.4E. Follow up media reports added that Stolt-Nielsen had confirmed the incident, reporting that two skiffs with six persons on board had approached the ship at high speed.
The tanker’s armed security team fired warning shots, which the pirates ignored and fired on the vessel. The ship’s security team returned fire, apparently disabling one of the skiffs which ended the attack.
The Stolt Apal’s bridge sustained minor gunshot damage but the vessel was otherwise unharmed and no injuries were reported.
The attack comes after a long period of calm in the Indian Ocean as far as piracy is concerned. However, analysts have long warned that the economic and social conditions for piracy remain in Somalia, and these could potentially be exarcerbated by the impact of the coronavirus both ashore and at sea in terms of maritime security provision.
It is imperative that the shipping industry avoids becoming complacent and continues to follow BMP 5 measures while transiting the region.
Maritime Security News 