Iran Dispatches New Naval Flotilla to High Seas

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

Esszone curfew extended

TAWAU: The curfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), scheduled to end today (Wednesday), has been extended to Dec 31.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali (pic) said the curfew covers the waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

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Source: dailyexpress.com.my

Iran Slams Moves Upsetting Maritime Security after Red Sea Tanker Explosion

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh denounced any threat to maritime security after the recent explosion of an oil tanker in the Red Sea.

Asked about the recent explosion and fire in an oil tanker in the Red Sea, Khatibzadeh said on Wednesday, “The Islamic Republic of Iran rejects any provocation and destructive action harming maritime security and safety and freedom of international trade.”

He also reaffirmed Iran’s constant stance on maintaining regional stability and security, expressing hope that the countries in the region would step up efforts to strengthen cooperation to ensure maritime security, fight against pirates, and combat the trade of illicit materials in order to achieve sustainable regional security.

His comments came after an explosion struck a Singapore-flagged oil tanker off Saudi Arabia’s port city of Jeddah on the Red Sea on Monday morning.

Saudi authorities said the fuel transport ship was attacked by an explosive-laden boat. No casualties or injuries has been reported among the 22 sailors on board.

The blast comes after a number of security incidents concerning Saudi oil infrastructure.

Source: tasnimnews.com

Eight More Crewmembers Abducted off Cargo Ship by Nigerian Pirates

The toll on seafarers continues to rise in the Gulf of Guinea with reports that eight crew members early this morning. The threat to seafarers remains high in the region with the security services warning that additional incidents are likely in the coming days.

The latest incident, the ninth this morning according to Dryad Global, involved a 38-year old bulk carrier, the Stevia. The 11,990 DWT vessel registered in Cameroon was reportedly sailing from southern Nigeria to Abidjan, Ivory Coast when it was attacked by what is believed to local Nigerian militants. Praesidium reports that the vessel’s speed dropped and was believed to be drifting for about two hours.

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Source: maritime-executive.com

U.S Government hands over equipment to Nigerian Navy to combats threats in Gulf of Guinea

By William Ukpe

The United States of America has handed over maritime equipment to the Nigerian Navy to secure maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea and also promote bilateral relations between both nations.

This was disclosed by Claire Pierangelo, Consular General, U. S. Embassy, and Rear Adm. Oladele Daji, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) represented by Rear Adm. Tanko Pani, the Chief Staff Officer, during the handover ceremony on Friday.

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Source: nairametrics.com

Three Beninese Arrested In Lagos Waters While Stealing Petrol

The Nigerian Navy has arrested three nationals of Benin Republic in Lagos and handed them over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps for allegedly stealing 6,250 litres of petrol.

While parading the suspects, Mr Paul Ayeni, the Commandant of the Lagos State Command, said they were apprehended by the patrol team of the Navy on December 5, at about 7.50 am.

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Source: saharareporters.com

Explosion Strikes Tanker Off Jeddah

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Shipping company Hafnia said on Monday that one of its oil tankers had been hit by an unidentified external source that caused fire and explosion while the ship was discharging at Jeddah port in Saudi Arabia.

“BW Rhine has been hit from an external source whilst discharging at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at approximately 00:40 local time on 14 December 2020, causing an explosion and subsequent fire onboard,” Hafnia said in a statement on its website, Reuters reported.

The crew has put out the fire and no one was injured, the company said.

The cause of the blast is not yet known, but according to maritime security consultancy Dryad Global it may have been a limpet mine attack.

Source: tasnimnews.com

Mozambique LNG security in spotlight again as insurgency creeps closer

Author: Stuart Elliott

London — Militants have attacked a village in northern Mozambique just 20 km from the site of two major LNG project developments, according to local media reports, highlighting the continued security issues facing the southeast African country and its fledgling LNG industry.

More than 30 million mt/year of LNG production capacity is under development in Mozambique as the country looks to join the ranks of the world’s biggest LNG exporters.

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Source: spglobal.com

Navy laments involvement of officers in crude oil theft, illegal bunkering

By Okodili Ndidi

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has decried the involvement of Naval personnel in illicit oil bunkering and crude oil theft.

He lamented that while there are significant achievements in the fight against this Maritime crime, there are pockets of personnel still colluding with criminals to sabotage the effort, adding that “the Navy in collaboration with other security agencies strives to protect the economic mainstay of the country through various operations.”

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Source: thenationonlineng.net

Arab Coalition destroys two Houthi explosive-laden boats

File image of suspected Houthi SVBIED (boat bomb), via http://crfimmadagascar.org

RIYADH — The Arab Coalition said late Wednesday its forces intercepted and destroyed two bomb-laden boats belonging to Iran-backed Houthi militia.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency early Thursday, the coalition spokesman Brig. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said that the armed boats targeted maritime routes south of the Red Sea.

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Source: saudigazette.com.sa