Amahlo-Suritec‘s April 2018 Piracy Report @LydelleJ #piracy #maritime #security #marsec

April 2018 - Piracy Report

Analysis  The Gulf of Guinea is currently the area worst affected by piracy and maritime robbery worldwide . In the first four months of 2018 high incidents were also reported in the Malacca and Singapore Straits ; at Samarinda Anchorages, Indonesia ; Chittagong Anchorages, Bangladesh ; and anchorages around Barcelona, Venezuela .  Four incidents of piracy and robbery of vessels were reported in the Gulf of Guinea in April 2018 , all four off Nigeria . Eleven crew members were kidnapped from the General Cargo Ship, FWN Rapide in international waters off Port Harcourt, Nigeria and two passengers from a local passenger boat in Rivers State, Nigeria .  It is likely that kidnapping of crew will continue in the next few months in the Gulf of Guinea, affecting any of the countries in the area, but with a higher risk off Brass and Bonny, Nigeria.  ReCAAP issued a warning on 1 May 2018 cautioning vessels transiting waters in the Sulu and Celebes Seas off Sabah , Malaysia of planned kidnappings by Abu Sayyaf .  The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted a hijacked fishing vessel in the Malacca Straits in April 2018. Four robberies or attempted robberies were reported at Muara Berau Anchorage, Samarinda, Indonesia in April 2018 bringing the total in the first months of 2018 to nine.  Although the risk to vessels transiting the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden remains low to vessels not affiliated with any of the warring parties in Yemen, it is possible that vessels could be caught in the cross fire . Vessels should also not loiter around islands in the area, especially around the island of Socotra. Vessels with a military profile or with a sailing pattern associated with logistical support to either party in the conflict are more likely to be targeted . Beware of operations or routes that could be interpreted as involvement or support in the conflict .  Although engines, fuel and the catch of fish were stolen during an extremely violent attack in Suriname, piracy does not seem to be the main motive for the attack, but a local feud between fishermen . Fifteen fishermen were killed and five injured during this attack .

Full report is available to download here: