We cover piracy, armed robbery at sea, IUU fishing, maritime cyber security and maritime security issues.
Roel Pareño, Michael Punongbayan
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — An Abu Sayyaf bandit was killed in an encounter with government troopers in Indanan, Sulu on Monday.
Soldiers of the 41st Infantry Battalion clashed with around 20 bandits in Barangay Tumatangis at around 7:36 a.m., according to Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu and 11th Division commander.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: philstar.com
The maritime security component of the Department of Environment Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) notched up a major protection success earlier this month when six Chinese fishing trawlers were fined after illegally entering South African waters.
DEFF announced the success via a statement which did not give details of the fine amount or name the foreign fishing trawlers.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: defenceweb.co.za
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
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.
To read the entire report, please click here.
Source: recaap.org
To download the report, please click here.
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.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: globalnation.inquirer.net
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.”
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: en.mehrnews.com
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.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: asiaone.com
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.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: rappler.com
TEHRAN, April 23 (Xinhua) — Iran will target the U.S. military vessels in the Gulf if they threaten Iran’s security, the chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said Thursday, Tasnim news agency reported.
“We are fully determined and serious in defending our national security, maritime borders, maritime interests, maritime security and security of our forces at sea and any (wrong) move will trigger our decisive, effective and prompt response,” Hossein Salami said.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: china.org.cn
The US Navy has been instructed to “shoot down and destroy” Iranian gunboats if they harass its ships, US President Donald Trump said.
Mr Trump’s order followed a US accusation last week that Iranian fast vessels were “harassing” US Navy ships in the Arabian Gulf.
To continue reading, please click here.
Source: thenational.ae
Maritime Security News 