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

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

2 April - 2 May 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 threats to 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:

1. (U) IMBKL WARNING 030600 UTC MAY 2018: To: All ships transiting in and off Sabah waters /Tawi Tawi/ Celebes Sea / Sulu Sea / southern Philippines. Planned kidnapping by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Tawi-Tawi-Sabah waters. Philippines intel received information that ASG plans to conduct kidnapping activity in Lahad Datu, Sabah and surrounding waters. The group is said to be using a blue 3 engine speedboat. The group is expected to be in Sabah waters within the next 24 hours. Vessels are advised to maintain strict anti-piracy watch and measures. stay clear and monitor any blue 3-engine boat. Report all attacks and suspicious sightings to local authorities and to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre as per IMO Cir 1334. IMB Piracy Reporting Centre 24-hour anti-piracy helpline +603 2031 0014 fax: +603 2078 5769, email: imbkl@iccccs.org / piracy@icc-ccs.org.

2. (U) ReCAAP WARNING 01 May 2018: Category: Planned Abduction of Crew. Description: The ReCAAP-ISC received information from Philippine Focal Point about the planned kidnapping by the members of Abu Sayyaf. The group will be using a blue 3-Engine speedboat and expected to be underway to Sabah within the next 24hours. All vessels transiting the area are advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting in the waters in Lahad Datu and surrounding waters in Sabah. Source: Philippine Focal Point. This information is provided to inform maritime situational awareness for mariners operating in the area. Any verified information on this incident is appreciated. ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre, email: info@recaap.org, fax: +65 6376 3066.

3. (U) Summary

A. (U) GHANA: On 30 April, security officials in the port of Tema announced the arrest of 6 stowaways from Tunisia. B. (U) GHANA: On 29 April, one robber boarded a merchant vessel anchored in Takoradi anchorage. C. (U) INDONESIA: On 29 April, robbers boarded an anchored heavy lift vessel 16 nm northeast of Tanjung Berakit, Pulau Bintan. D. (U) INDONESIA: On 28 April, four robbers boarded a general cargo vessel anchored in Muara Berau, Samarinda. E. (U) SURINAME: On 27 April, pirates attacked a group of 20 fishermen in 4 boats and forced them to jump overboard. F. (U) NIGERIA: On 27 April, three South Korean sailors kidnapped in the waters off Ghana in March were released unharmed. G. (U) GUATEMALA: On 26 April, authorities intercepted submarine-type vessel with about one ton of cocaine in the eastern Pacific. H. (U) CANADA: On 25 April, U.S. and Canadian authorities broke up a drug smuggling ring that moved drugs from the U.S. and handed them over to Canadian smugglers. I. (U) INDONESIA: On 25 April, five armed Indonesian men were arrested for attempting to kidnap three Malaysian fishermen. J. (U) GULF OF OMAN: On 24 April, a group of Emirati fishing vessels was fired upon by unidentified individuals while sailing in the Gulf of Oman. K. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 23 April, Bureau of Customs officials seized over 500 tons of smuggled onions from China. L. (U) INDIA: On 22 April, India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence busted a diesel smuggling racket and seized 14 shipping containers with more than 300,000 liters of diesel. M. (U) HONDURAS: On 18 April, a small fishing boat with 10 men onboard made a suspicious approach on a France flagged sailing yacht 100 nm east of the Honduras/Nicaragua border. N. (U) TAIWAN: Between 10 and 11 April, Taiwan Coast Guard vessels seized 3 Chinese ships for illegal fishing activity. O. (U) PACIFIC OCEAN: On 7 April, U.S. authorities intercepted a low profile go-fast type boat carrying 1,080 pounds of cocaine in the eastern Pacific Ocean. P. (U) MEXICO: On April 7, two boardings occurred in Laguna de Términos; one occurred in the area known as Sonda de Campeche on the northern Yucatan Peninsula.

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

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for May and June 2018. To apply for JMSDF escort, visit 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) UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 3 B. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for May and June 2018. For further information, please e-mail: planavy@navy.mil.cn or etg546cn@163.com, or call Tel 00870 773 120 772. (MSCHOA)

C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for May and June 2018. To register, email: gcommcentredgs@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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