Office of Naval Intelligence ONI - Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report #marsec #piracy #shipp

Office of Naval Intelligence - Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report

22 January - 21 February 2018

Table of Contents

1.Scope Note

2.Summary

3.Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories

4.Details: Monthly Incidents by Region

5.Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources

6.Appendix B: Terminology and References

1. (U) Scope Note

1. (U) The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides information on piracy threats to, and criminal action against or that involves merchant vessels, the shipping industry, and other maritime stakeholders worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily to inform merchant mariners and naval forces.

2. (U) Warnings and Advisories:

A. (U) MDAT-GOG Warning 004/FEB/2018: Category: Attack. Description: On 22 February 2018 at 13:20Z Hrs, an M/V was attacked in position 03:30N – 006:31E, 67 nm SW of Bonny. Vessels in the area are advised to exercise extreme caution. Source: Email. Any queries regarding this Warning Notice ring 0033 298 22 88 88 for further information.

MDATGOG Watchkeeper email: watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org, emergency Tel: +33(0) 298 22 88 88

B. (U) UKMTO ADVISORY NOTICE 001/FEB/2018: Category: Sighting. Description: 20 Feb 2018 - UKMTO has received a number of reports relating to the sighting of groups of small boats operating in the vicinity of Point B at the eastern end of the IRTC (approximately: 14:28N - 053:00E). No aggressive behavior or pirate paraphernalia has been observed and it is assessed that the sightings are most likely related to an increase in fishing activity in the area. Vessels transiting the area are advised to exercise extreme caution. Any queries regarding this Advisory Notice ring 0044 2392 222060 only for further information.

UKMTO Watchkeeper email: watchkeepers@ukmto.org, emergency Tel: +971 5055 23215.

C. (U) MDAT-GOG Advisory Notice 002/FEB/2018: Category: Suspicious approach. Description: On 7 February at 1318 UTC in position 03:28.0N - 006:56.0E, a vessel underway to Lagos was approached by one skiff. Skiff appeared on the starboard side with 8 POB at 4.5 nm with a CPA less than 1NM before it increased its speed to 22kts. MV’s onboard AST were alerted and ready to reply. The skiff then reduced speed and escaped. MV is SAFE. Any queries regarding this Warning Notice ring 0033 298 22 88 88 for further information.

MDAT-GOG Watchkeeper Email: watchkeepers@mdatgog.org, emergency Tel: +33(0) 298 22 88 88

3. (U) Summary

A. (U) NIGERIA: On 20 February, six robbers boarded an anchored merchant vessel southwest of Lagos.

B. (U) NIGERIA: On 19 February, six pirates armed with AK-47 rifles in a black hull speed boat approached and attempted to board a crude oil tanker underway 25 nm southeast of Brass.

C. (U) BAHRAIN: On 19 February, police foiled an attempt to smuggle a large shipment of liquor into the kingdom.

D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 18 February, a merchant vessel Point B in the IRTC, reported a suspicious approach by a skiff.

E. (U) BENIN: On 17 February, three armed robbers boarded a tanker anchored in Cotonou Anchorage.

F. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 16 February, an attack by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants was thwarted after boiling water mixed with oil was poured on the men as they tried to board the vessel.

G. (U) TUNISIA: On 16 February, authorities detained the RO-RO ship URAL in the port of Sfax for a more thorough search after a consignment of weapons was found onboard.

H. (U) ITALY: On 16 February, 300 kilograms of cocaine were found onboard the container ship M/V DIMITRIS C in Genoa.

I. (U) BRAZIL: On 15 February, robbers boarded a bulk carrier anchored in Macapa Anchorage.

J. (U) NIGERIA: On 15 February, four pirates in a speed boat chased and fired upon a container ship underway 40 nm south-southwest of Bonny.

K. (U) VENEZUELA: On 15 February, three robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored tanker in Puerto La Cruz Anchorage.

L. (U) BRAZIL: On 14 February, a diver was spotted near the container ship MSC MELINE, docked at Santos, at dawn. The diver fled, leaving behind him a floating waterproof bag with 28 kilograms of cocaine in it.

M. (U) INDONESIA: On 13 February, customs officials arrested the vessel M/V JAYA INDAH 08 and 4 crewmen when the vessel was found to be carrying a large consignment of smuggled ammonium nitrate in the Riau Islands area.

N. (U) PANAMA: On 10 February, a sailing yacht anchored in San Blas Nargana was boarded and an iPad was stolen.

O. (U) VENEZUELA: On 6 February, four robbers boarded an anchored tanker in Puerto Jose Anchorage.

P. (U) ST KITTS and NEVIS: On 5 February, a catamaran was boarded while anchored in Basseterre, St Kitts.

Q. (U) NIGERIA: On 4 January, armed pirates chased and attacked a product tanker underway 48 nm south of Brass.

4. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for February 2018. To apply for JMSDF escort, visit UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 3 http://www.mlit.go.jp/en/maritime/maritime_fr2_000000.html, please contact directly the Anti-Piracy Contact and Coordination Office, Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MILT), Japan: Tel: +81-3-5253-8932; Fax: +81-3-5253-1643. Email: INFO-PIRACY@mlit.go.jp. (MSCHOA)

B. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Korean Navy convoy schedule for February 2018. All merchant vessels wishing to join the convoy group must submit their application forms directly to the ROK naval warship carrying out the mission. The ROK MTG can be reached directly at 001-646-466-9522. Email: chunghae26@navy.mil. (MSCHOA)

C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for February 2018. For further information, please e-mail planavy@navy.mil.cn or etg546cn@163.com, or call Tel 00870 773 120 772. (MSCHOA)

D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for February 2018. To register, email gcommcentre-dgs@nic.in; or visit ww.dgshipping.com. Telephone numbers for contact are: 91-22-22614646 or fax at 91- 22-22613636. (MSCHOA)

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