Worldwide Threat to Shipping – Mariner Warning Information

ffice of Naval Intelligence

Civil Maritime Analysis Department

Worldwide Threat to Shipping

Mariner Warning Information

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POC:  Andrew Moulder:

Comm (301) 669-4784

Fax (301) 669-3247

E-mail [email protected]

 

James Mirance:

Comm (301) 669-3471

Fax (301) 669-3247

E-mail [email protected]

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1.  This message provides information on threats to, and criminal action against merchant

shipping worldwide in the last 30 days.

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A.  To aid in our reporting, please add the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) as an information

addressee when possible to your normal corporate and organizational reporting requirements.

The ONI message address is ONI WASHINGTON DC//11// or, the ONI Violence at Sea (VAS)

desk may be contacted at commercial phone (301) 669-4784 or via e-mail:

[email protected]. Report may also be made to the National Response Center (U.S.

Coast Guard) hotline: 1-800-424-8802 or the Maritime Administration, Office of Security,

MAR-420; TEL 202-366-1883; FAX 202-366-3954; email [email protected].

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B.  This Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report is posted at the National Geospatial-Intelligence

Agency’s Maritime Safety site:  http://www.nga.mil/portal/site/maritime.  The International

Maritime Bureau (IMB) also publishes a live piracy report, based on reporting from the IMB

Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  The report displays all piracy and armed

robbery incidents in the last ten days and may be accessed through their web page

http://www.icc-ccs.org/.

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C.  ONI’s goal is to provide the maritime community with relevant information concerning

threats to safe commercial ship operations for use by maritime personnel in implementing

security.  In order to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference, the following are

adopted to describe the range of criminal anti-shipping activity and impediments to safe

navigation in our worldwide reporting and analysis:

Boarding – Unauthorized presence on the ship whether in port or underway.

Robbery – Theft from a vessel or from persons aboard the vessel.

Kidnap – Unauthorized forcible removal of persons belonging to the vessel from it.

Hijack – Unauthorized seizure and retention of a vessel by persons not part of its complement.

Firing upon – Weapons discharged at or toward a vessel.

Attempted boarding – Close approach or hull-to-hull contact with report that boarding

paraphernalia were employed or visible in the approaching boat.

Suspicious approach – All other unexplained close proximity of an unknown vessel.

Blocking – Hampering safe navigation, docking, or undocking of a vessel as a means of protest.

Please note that these terms relate to observable activity and are independent of target vessel status

and exclude actions by governmental authorities in lawful pursuit of their authority.  ONI

welcomes comment and suggestions for addition or amendment.

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D.  Anti-piracy and crime current developments:

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1.  BANGLADESH:  Marine police engage in gun battle and arrest four pirates, 4 Feb 10.

The Bangladeshi Marine Police with the assistance of the Coast Guard arrested four pirates in the

Sundarbans after an intense gun battle near Hrbaria.  Based on local intelligence, the police

conducted a sweep of the area while members of the Julifiker Bahini gang were in midst of a

robbery.  Upon arrival, the police encountered 25-30 armed men wearing police uniforms, who

opened fire on the law enforcement personnel.  A gun battle ensued and four pirates, three of

which were siblings, were arrested.  In addition, weapons, ammunition, and stolen goods were

recovered (Risk Intelligence/MaRisk).
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2.  GULF OF ADEN:  Please take note of the convoy schedules below for the month of

February 2010.  Japanese convoy schedule: The government of Japan provides the escort

operation by Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) for vessels in accordance with the

following schedule.  The rendezvous (start & end) position: “A” 11:50N – 045:00E, base speed:

12 kts; “B” 14:28N – 053:00E, base speed: 12 kts.  Escort schedules in February:  Westbound

(start “B”): 1400Z 06 Feb 10, 1200Z 10 Feb 10, 1500Z 18 Feb 10, 0600Z 26 Feb 10. Eastbound

(start “A”): 1500Z 04 Feb 10, 1300Z 8 Feb 10, 1500Z 24 Feb 10, 1500Z 28 Feb 10.  Please note

that application for JMSDF escort operation must be made directly to the GOJ, which is a

separate procedure from the application to MSCHOA.  Merchant vessels that wish to apply for

JMSDF escort operation should visit www.mlit.go.jp/maritime/gaikoh/pirate/hp_english.doc to

follow the application procedure.  For further information, please contact directly to Anti-piracy

Contact and Coordination Office, Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport

and Tourism, Japan.  Tel: +81-3-5253-8932,  Fax: +81-3-5253-1643.  Russian naval convoy

schedule: As reported by the Russian Navy HQ, a Russian warship will escort merchant ships in

transit through the Gulf of Aden according to the following schedule: 4 Feb 10 – Eastbound

convoy; 7 Feb 10 – Westbound convoy.  Departure time for all convoys above is 1000 Moscow

time (0700 UTC).  Convoy assembly points are as follows: Western point “A”: 12:20N – 43:50E,

Eastern point “B”: 14:24N – 53:00E.  Russian Maritime Security Service (RMSS) is disposed to

receive applications from shipping companies, which would like to join their vessels in any of

convoys above .the RMSS will collect such applications and forward them to the Russian Navy

HQ. Upon approval of a company request by the Navy HQ, the RMSS will advise the company

about the warship call sign and INMARSAT No., which should be transmitted to appropriate

shipmaster. In all cases, it is the warship CMDR to take a final decision on admission of a vessel

to each convoy. (as a rule, requests of companies or ships are not being rejected).  Requests for

participation must be submitted to RMSS  via e-mail at  [email protected] or

[email protected]; or fax: +7-495-694-10-03.  Chinese national convoy schedule: CTF525 is

scheduled to carry out Westbound convoy on 1, 7, 13, 19, 25 Feb and Eastbound convoy on 4,

10, 16, 22, 28 Feb.  The rendezvous point for Westbound convoy is the east rendezvous point

(14:50N – 053:50E) and the rendezvous time is 0600 UTC on the day of convoy.  The transit

will start at 0900 UTC. The rendezvous point for Eastbound convoy is the west rendezvous point

(12:17.8N – 043:49E), and the rendezvous time is 0300 UTC on the day of convoy.  The transit

will start at 0600 UTC. The convoy of both directions will transit along the northern border of

the IRTC at a speed of 12 knots.  MVs intending to join our convoy should submit to CTF525

via telex (INMARSAT C station: 583441218942, data) basic vessel information (including ETA,

ship’s name, call sign, flag, owner, dwt, speed, contact details, etc).  Please note that MVs

intending to join the convoy are required to have a minimum speed of 12kts.  All ships are

reminded to continue to maintain a strict 24 hour visual and radar watch throughout the passage

and maintain other counter piracy measures. All attacks should be reported (IMB).

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3.  ISRAEL:  Explosive devices found floating, 1 Feb 10.  Two explosive devices, possibly

homemade “mines”, were found off the beaches of Ashkelon and Ashdod in the morning of 1

February 2010.  The devices were found by local fishermen, at least one of them afloat. It was

described as an oxygen tank with wires and electronics attached. The nearby beaches have been

sealed off. The devices are suspected of being aimed at shipping.  An unnamed source in Islamic

Jihad of the Gaza Strip says to Reuters that the explosives were part of a joint operation with two

other militant groups, the Salahudeen Brigades and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (Risk

Intelligence/MaRisk).

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4.  NIGERIA:  MEND declares end of unilateral ceasefire, 30 Jan 10.  MEND has declared

an end of their unilateral ceasefire originally ordered 25 January 2010 as effective of Saturday 30

January 2010.  If implemented, it will impact on the general security situation and in particular

regarding oil and gas operations, and all related transportation activities.  Any potential threats

would be against targets in the Delta as well as in the close vicinity of coastal areas. If the

capability is intact, most likely MEND would select targets with high political signal value (Risk

Intelligence/MaRisk).
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5.  UNITED NATIONS:  UN group of nations says most ships hijacked by pirates ignored

safety precautions, 28 Jan 10.  Piracy experts said Thursday that most of the hijacked ships off

the coast of Somalia had ignored safety precautions, and at least 25 percent of the commercial

ships that pass through the Gulf of Aden continue to do so.  An informal band of nations and

organizations fighting piracy along Somalia’s vast and lawless coastline vowed to try to persuade

more merchant vessels to follow precautions adopted by the world’s leading shipping, cargo and

insurance organizations.  These self-protective measures, ranging from increased lookouts to

zigzag maneuvers to the use of razor wire and fire pumps, are based on recommendations by the

European Union’s maritime security center for the Horn of Africa.  The pirates usually seize the

ships or the crews without harming them, and they often receive what they want — tens of

millions of dollars in ransom, paid in cash.  Diplomats told the counter-piracy group that both

industry and the U.N. Security Council had helped the effort — the 15-nation council by giving

countries authorization to enter Somalia’s territorial waters, with advance notice, and use “all

necessary means” to stop piracy and armed robbery at sea.  “We are seeing the effects of the

preventive measures taken by the industry,” said Carl Salicath, a senior adviser at Norway’s

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which chaired a daylong meeting at U.N. headquarters.  It was the

fifth such meeting of the so-called Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia since its

formation last year.  “The successful hijacks are almost exclusively on ships not complying with

the best management practices adopted by this group. This is by far the most important measure

against piracy,” Salicath said. “But still, only 70 to 75 percent of the ships passing through the

Gulf of Aden follow the preventive measures. Our challenge is to achieve a much higher level of

compliance.”  Salicath said another big factor is the military’s protective naval escorts, and other

counter piracy measures in the region. The group also has agreed to set up international funds to

help pay the cost of prosecutions and beefed-up security (AP).

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6.  GULF OF ADEN:  NATO Ship Prevents Pirate Attack in Gulf of Aden, 28 Jan 10.  The

Canadian ship FREDERICTON intercepted a suspected pirate skiff today while conducting

counter piracy patrols as part of NATO Operation OCEAN SHIELD in the Gulf of Aden.  At

07:44 AM local time, HMCS FREDERICTON received reports from her helicopter during aerial

patrols in the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) that they had spotted a small

skiff loitering beside the shipping corridor approximately 45 nautical miles away from the ship.

The helicopter, call sign “Stalker” closed the position of the vessel. Upon detection, the skiff

attempted to flee from the location but was stopped when Stalker continued to hover in front of

the skiff to block the escape. After several attempts to try and flee the area, the skiff’s occupants

stopped their engines and waited.  FREDERICTON proceeded to the location at maximum speed

to intercept and board the skiff.  With extra surveillance assistance provided by a helicopter from

the United States Ship FARRAGUT, a warship attached to Combined Task Force 151,

FREDERICTON dispatched her Naval Boarding Party (NBP) to board the vessel and conduct a

detailed search. Their mission was to ensure that no pirate material was onboard and, if there

was, to confiscate it to prevent them from mounting any attacks.  There were no weapons or

ammunition found, though FARRAGUT’s helicopter did see what looked like boxes being

tossed into the sea prior to the Naval Boarding Party’s arrival at the skiff.   “This event

demonstrates that pirates remain active in this area and the difficult mission it is to locate these

small skiffs, whether from air or sea” said Commander Steve Waddell, Commanding Officer of

HMCS FREDERICTON.  “In this particular case, though there was not enough evidence to

detain the individuals, I do believe that we were able to prevent them from carrying out an attack

on another vessel” (LM: eNews Park Forest).

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7.  HAITI:  The combination of a rush of shipping to Haiti following the recent earthquake

and damaged port facilities and infrastructure will lead to potentially severe congestion, 20 Jan

10.  ONI notes that when shipping gets congested in the vicinity of ports, increased criminal

activity against that shipping is likely after 10 to 14 days.   All vessels are urged to employ

enhanced security practices in such situations (ONI analysis).

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E.  Source codes:  Information contained in this report is derived through direct reporting and

analysis of reports of other agencies and commercial sources.  Source codes will be added to

new reports to enable users requiring more detail to make contact. Codes currently in use are:

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AFP, Agence France Presse

AP, Associated Press

BBC, BBC News

BIMCO, Baltic and International Maritime Council, Denmark

DHS, U. S. Department of Homeland Security

DOJ, U. S. Department of Justice

DOS, U.S. Department of State

DOT, U. S. Department of Transportation

FP, Fairplay, London

IMB, International Maritime Bureau, London and Kuala Lumpur

IMO, International Maritime Organization, London

INFO, Informa Group, formerly LLP, Llp Limited, London

LAT, Latitude38.com website

LL, Lloyd’s List, daily, London

LM, local media

MARAD, Maritime Administration, US

MSC, Maritime Security Council, US

MSCHOA, Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa http://www.mschoa.eu/

NATO, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Brussels

NGA, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Navigation

Safety System

ONI, Office of Naval Intelligence analysis and comment

Operator, owner or operator of affected vessel

OSAC, Overseas Security Advisory Council

USCG, United States Coast Guard

RAN, Royal Australian Navy

ReCAAP ISC, Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy

and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, Information Sharing Center

http://www.recaap.org

Reuters, Reuters Press

Risk Intelligence/MaRisk, Maritime Security Risk Solutions

RNZN, Royal New Zealand Navy

SAP, Seafarers’ Assistance Program, Kenya

STATE, U. S. Department of State

TW, Tradewinds

UKMTO, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization

UPI, United Press International

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2.  Designation of a high threat area is based on an assessment of all source information relating

to the existence of, or potential for piracy and other crime, terrorism, civil unrest or low intensity

conflict.  Every effort is made to ensure that incidents are not double-counted.  In the event

double counting is detected or an event is later learned not to be as initially reported, an

explanation of the cancellation of the inaccurate report will be made in at least one message prior

to dropping the erroneous report.  Specific incidents will be reported for one month.

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3.  This week’s reporting:

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A.  General cargo ship robbed 19 Feb 10, Grove anchorage, Guyana.

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B.  Vessel (BARAKAALE I) fired upon 21 Feb 10, 120NM southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen.

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C.  Bulk carrier boarded 24 Feb 10, Vung Tau, Vietnam.

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4.  DETAILS:  There is reported active violence against shipping, a credible threat to shipping,

or the potential to develop into a direct threat to the safety of shipping in the following areas:

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A.  NORTH AMERICA:  No current incidents to report.

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B.  CENTRAL AMERICA-CARIBBEAN:

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1.  HAITI:  Landing craft reported attempted boarding 15 Feb 10 at 2345 UTC while

anchored in position 18:34.93N – 072:22.3W, Port au Prince.  The alert master and crew

managed to prevent robbers from boarding the vessel while anchored.  The vessel is currently

safe, no further information to report (IMB).

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C.  SOUTH AMERICA:

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1.  COLOMBIA:  Passenger vessel hijacked 3 Feb 10 while underway in the Buenaventura

waterways.  The vessel was traveling from Buenaventura port to Puerto Merizalde when three

gunmen brandished their weapons and ordered the passengers to jump overboard.  A total of 29

people were forced into the water before the gunmen proceeded to steal the vessel and flee to an

unknown location.  The Colombian coastguard responded to the incident and rescued all

passengers and is currently leading the search for the vessel (Risk Intelligence/MaRisk).

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2.  GUYANA:  General cargo ship robbed 19 Feb 10 at 0530 UTC while anchored at Grove

anchorage.  Ten robbers armed with knives boarded the vessel at anchor.  They captured a crew

member and threatened him with a knife at his neck.  They entered the forecastle and bosun store

and stole ship’s property.  They locked the crew in the bosun store and escaped.  Port authority

was informed (IMB).

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3.  PERU:  Bulk carrier robbed 5 Feb 10 at 1935 local time while in Callao anchorage.

Robbers armed with guns boarded the vessel via the hawse pipe.  The alarm was raised, but the

robbers managed to steal ship’s stores before escaping.  The incident was reported to port

authorities (IMB).

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D.  ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA:  No current incidents to report.

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E.  NORTHERN EUROPE-BALTIC:  No current incidents to report.

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F.  MEDITERRANEAN-BLACK SEA:  No current incidents to report.

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G.  WEST AFRICA:

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1.  GUINEA:  Chemical tanker boarded 13 Feb 10 at 2230 UTC while underway in position

09:11.38N – 014:32.03W, approximately 50NM west of Conakry.  Men armed with rifles

boarded the tanker while underway.  The master raised the alarm, and the crew locked all access

doors before mustering on the bridge in a safe place.  The armed men tried to gain entry into the

locked accommodation door but were unable to do so.  Due to the alarm ringing, they aborted the

attack and fled.  The crew and vessel are safe (IMB).

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H.  INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA:

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1.  GULF OF ADEN:  Vessel (BARAKAALE I) fired upon 21 Feb 10 while underway in

position 13:07N – 047:37E, 120NM southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen.  Master reported coming

under fire from at least one skiff with men onboard.  During the attempted boarding, the master

reported one of the pirates fell off and was recovered by the skiff.  Two coalition warships

responded and were able to intercept the skiff and arrest the suspected pirates (Reuters, ONI).

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2.  GULF OF ADEN:  Bulk carrier (ARIELLA) fired upon 5 Feb 10 at 0600 UTC while

underway in position 13:00N – 048:45E, approximately 93NM southwest of Al Mukalla,

Yemen.  Six armed men in a speedboat opened fire on the vessel while underway.  The vessel

raised the alarm, sent out a distress call and contacted coalition assistance while conducting

evasive maneuvering.  A Danish warship responded by deploying a helicopter to intercept the

attack.  The armed men aborted the attack once the warship arrived on scene (IMB, AP).

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3.  GULF OF ADEN:  Cargo ship (RIM) hijacked 3 Feb 10 at 0813 UTC while underway in

position 13:04N – 047:04E, approximately 120NM east of Aden, Yemen.  Pirates boarded and

hijacked the vessel.  There is no further information to provide at this time (ONI, AP).

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4.  GULF OF ADEN:  Vessel fired upon 1 Feb 10 at 1325 UTC while underway in position

12:44N – 047:27E, approximately 140NM east of Aden, Yemen.  Two skiffs with four men in

each opened fire on the vessel as it transited the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor.

The crew was alerted and appropriate counter-piracy measures were taken to prevent boarding

(UKMTO, MSCHOA).

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5.  GULF OF ADEN:  Vessel reported suspicious approach 1 Feb 10 at 1150 UTC while

underway in position 15:18.2N – 052:32E, approximately 200NM northeast of Al Mukalla,

Yemen.  The captain reported being chased by a vessel and seeing a mother ship in the vicinity.

The captain conducted evasive maneuvering and no further information was reported (IMB).

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6.  SOMALIA:  Vessel hijacked 13 Feb 10 while underway approximately 20NM northeast

of Eyl, Somalia.  Vessel was boarded and hijacked by pirates while underway.  There is no

further information to provide at this time (ONI analysis).

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7.  INDIA:  Tanker boarded 14 Feb 10 at 0835 local time while anchored in Vishakhapatnam.

One boat with three robbers approached the vessel from the port side.  When the boat did not

cross the bows the master raised the alarm.  As the crew went forward to investigate, they found

two robbers onboard and a third attempting to board.  The robbers fled as soon as they saw the

ship’s crew.  Port control was informed (IMB).

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8.  INDIA:  Tanker robbed 14 Feb 10 at 0215 UTC while underway in position 17:37.7N –

083:21.6E, Vishakhapatnam anchorage.  Three robbers using ropes and a hook boarded the

vessel from astern.  When sighted, the watch officer raised the general alarm and security rushed

to the poop deck.  The robbers escaped with stolen ship’s stores.  The master informed port

control and the Indian navy was contacted via VHF radio (IMB).

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9.  BANGLADESH:  Fishermen attacked, kidnapped 13 Feb 10 while operating near

Chhaprakhali Jelepara.  The Manik Bahini and Julfikar Bahini gangs engaged in a two-hour long

gun battle before the Julfika Bahini syndicate assaulted 15 fishermen and then abducted five

from the area for ransom.  RI Comment:  Although the name ‘Bahini’ is common within

Bangladesh, there may be a connection between either of the Bahini gangs and Alauddin Bahini,

a high profile gang leader who was killed in Chittagong port on 15 August 2006 after a major

gun battle with marine police.  Alauddin was responsible for a number of attacks against

merchant vessels and fishing trawlers prior to Fall 2006 and was wanted for 15 counts of murder

(Risk Intelligence/MaRisk).

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I.  RED SEA:  No current incidents to report.

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J.  PERSIAN GULF:  No current incidents to report.

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K.  SOUTHEAST ASIA:

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1.  BAY OF BENGAL:  Barge (RAPID 3312), tug (TOPNICHE 7) robbed 10 Feb 10 at 1137

local time while underway in position 20:24.61N – 092:15.56E, approximately 40NM northwest

of Sittwe, Burma.  Two robbers in a boat named (MAYER DUAI) boarded the barge and stole a

canvas and rope before departing.  At approximately 1300 local time, the ship owner reported

that the boat was shadowing the barge approximately 0.4NM away.  At about 1520 local time,

the owner reported that the boat gave up chase.  No crewmembers were harmed during the

incident (ReCAAP).

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2.  MALAYSIA:  Chinese nationals kidnapped 8 Feb 10 from Sivangkat Island.  Mindanao

police verified that members of the Philippine insurgent group, Abu Sayyaf, sailed to Sivangkat

Island off the Sabah coast and abducted two Chinese nationals, Chen Yun Chung and Lai Wong

Chung.  The operation was led by a known Abu Sayyaf member, Albader Parad, and it was

confirmed that the militants stopped on the island of Tawi Tawi to refuel before continuing to

Siasi, on Sulu Island.  Intelligence reports suggest that the militants used two motor boats to

conduct the insurgency operation.  On 15 January, the American State Department issued a travel

advisory for the eastern coast of Sabah in light of an elevated risk of terrorist and organized

criminal activities (Risk Intelligence/MaRisk).
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3.  MALAYSIA:  Tug (ASTA) missing, reportedly hijacked 6 Feb 10 while underway in

position 02:59.4N – 104:00.6E, off Pulau Tioman.  The tug, towing the barge (CALLISTA)

departed Singapore on 5 Feb 10.  At about 0130 on 6 Feb 10, the vessel (AGENT) reported lost

communications with the tug.  There were 12 crewmembers onboard at the time, and no cargo

was onboard the barge.  The tug was scheduled to arrive at Cambodia on 9 Feb 10.  The ship

owner suspected that the vessel had been hijacked and reported the incident to the Singapore Port

Operations Control Centre who had issued a broadcast to all vessels to report sightings of

(ASTA) and (CALLISTA) (ReCAAP).

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4.  INDONESIA:  General cargo ship boarded 29 Jan 10 at 0300 local time while anchored in

position 06:00.5S – 105:56.5E, Ciwandan anchorage.  Four robbers in a speedboat approached

the vessel from the port quarter.  One robber boarded by using a hook attached to a rope.  He was

spotted by the deck watchman.  The alarm was raised and the robber escaped via the same rope.

Local authorities were informed (IMB).

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5.  VIETNAM:  Bulk carrier boarded 24 Feb 10 at 0240 local time while anchored in Vung

Tau.  Three robbers boarded the vessel using ropes with hooks and attempted to enter the

forecastle store.  The duty crew spotted them and reported to the officer on watch who raised the

alarm and sounded the ship’s whistle.  The robbers jumped overboard and escaped in a wooden

boat.  No injuries to the crew were reported (IMB).

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L.  NORTH ASIA: No current incidents to report.

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M.  PACIFIC-ANTARCTIC OCEAN:  No current incidents to report.

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N.  ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC NON-STATE ACTIVIST GROUPS:

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1.  SEA SHEPHERD:  Sea Shepherd anti-whaling activists involved in altercation with

Japanese whalers 17 Feb 10, Antarctic Ocean.  Anti-whaling activists from Sea Shepherd threw

butyric acid and fired paint guns at a Japanese whaling ship, which then repelled the protesters

with water cannons (CNN).

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5.  Originator of this WWTTS report requests consumer feedback. Originator will incorporate all

anti-shipping events and violence against the maritime industry into this weekly message where

appropriate.  The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) can be contacted via message traffic at ONI

WASHINGTON DC//11// or, the ONI violence at sea (VAS) desk may be contacted at comm.

Phone (301) 669-4784 or via e-mail at [email protected].//