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

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

4 June - 4 July 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:

A. (U) U.S. MARITIME ADVISORY 2018-009 Threat Type(s): Violence due to regional conflict and piracy. Geographic Area: Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Indian Ocean. This revised advisory cancels U.S. Maritime Advisories 2018-001 and 2018-002. References: U.S. Maritime Alerts 2018-001A, 2018-002A, 2018-002B, 2018-005A, and 2018-007A. Issues: Regional conflict and piracy threats continue to pose potential risks to commercial vessels operating in the above listed geographic areas. The conflict in Yemen continues to pose a risk to U.S. flagged commercial vessels transiting the southern Red Sea, Bab al Mandeb Strait and Gulf of Aden. Combat operations continue between the Houthis and the Saudi-led Coalition, mainly in the vicinity of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. Since 2016, Houthi forces have attacked Coalition navy and logistics vessels. In May 2018, a missile or rocket damaged a Turkish-flagged bulk cargo vessel while at anchor in the Red Sea awaiting entry into As-Salif, Yemen. As combat operations continue, potential attacks by Houthi forces continue to pose a direct or collateral risk to U.S. flagged commercial vessels operating in the region. Additionally, piracy continues to pose a significant threat in the southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and Gulf of Oman. Specific case details are available at the Office of Naval Intelligence’s “Worldwide Threat to Shipping” and “Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly” website at https://go.usa.gov/xUa5p. Guidance: U.S. flagged commercial vessels are advised to avoid entering or loitering near Yemen’s Red Sea ports. Vessels at anchor, operating in restricted maneuvering environments, or proceeding at slow speeds should be especially vigilant. U.S. flagged commercial vessels transiting the region should conduct a pre-voyage risk assessment and incorporate appropriate protective measures into their vessel security plans. Threats may come from a variety of different sources including, but not limited to, missiles, projectiles, mines, small arms, or waterborne improvised explosive devices. Vessels in this region should report hostile activities immediately and contact coalition naval forces on VHF Channel 16. U.S. flagged commercial vessels should also contact the U.S. Fifth Fleet Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) detachment via the Fifth Fleet Battle Watch Captain at phone: +011 973 1785 3879 or email: cusnc.bwc@me.navy.mil prior to entering the region. Suspicious activities and incidents are also required to be reported by U.S. flagged commercial vessels to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center at phone: 1-800-424-8802 per 33 CFR Part 101.305. Vessels operating in this region are also advised to establish contact with the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO). UKMTO advisories, warnings, and contact info are available at www.ukmto.org. Additional U.S. Coast Guard port specific requirements may be found in Port Security Advisory 3-17 at: https://go.usa.gov/xUa57. The newly released Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea (BMP5), and Maritime Global Security website at www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org (which contains BMP5) provide excellent security recommendations and should be consulted prior to operating in the above listed geographic areas. Contact Information: For further information, contact MARADSecurity@dot.gov. This Advisory will automatically expire on January 30, 2019.

B. (U) UKMTO ADVISORY NOTICE 001/Jul/2018: On 4 July 2018 at approximately 0950 UTC a Merchant Vessel (MV) in position: 24:02N 059:55E, Gulf of Oman, reported being approached at speed by two white hulled small craft with four POB in each. The closest point of approach on the MV was 500 meters. The crew and vessel are safe. Vessels transiting the area are advised to exercise extreme caution.

C. (U) UKMTO ADVISORY NOTICE 002/Jul/2018: Description: Time late report received: On 4 July 2018 at approximately 0502 UTC an MV in position: 13:33N - 042:40E, approximately 5 nm south of Hanish Islands, off Yemen in Red Sea, reported being approached at speed by 3, white and blue hulled skiffs. Each skiff had 7 - 8 persons onboard each skiff. The skiffs fired at the vessel, embarked security team returned fire. The crew and vessel are safe. Vessels transiting the area are advised to exercise extreme caution.

D. (U) MDAT-GoG Advisory 001/JUL/2018: Category: Boarding. On 3 July 2018 at 0029 UTC a merchant vessel was boarded in position 06:16N - 003:11E, Lagos anchorage, Nigeria. A boat tied up to the anchor chain and an intruder were sighted on deck, the crew raised the alarm and informed patrol boats. The intruder left the ship. Vessel and crew are safe. Vessels transiting the area are advised to exercise extreme caution. Any queries regarding this Advisory Notice ring 0033 298 22 88 88 for further information. This advisory is not classified as a maritime security event and has not been verified by MDAT-GoG. This information is provided to inform maritime situational awareness for mariners operating in the region. Any queries regarding this Warning Notice ring 0033 298 22 88 88 for further information. MDAT-GoG Watchkeeper email: watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org, emergency tel: +33(0) 298 22 88 88.

E. (U) MDAT-GoG Warning 001/JUL/2018: Category: Attack. Description: On 1 July 2018 at 1040Z, a vessel was attacked in position 04:08N - 006:57E, 214°/20 nm from Bonny, Nigeria. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution in this area. Source: Phone call. Any queries regarding this Warning Notice ring 0033 298 22 88 88 for further information. MDAT-GoG Watchkeeper email: watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org, emergency tel: +33(0) 298 22 88 88 3. (U) Summary

A. (U) RED SEA: On 4 July, a merchant vessel approximately 5 nm south of Hanish Islands, Yemen, reported being approached at speed by three white and blue hulled skiffs. The skiffs fired at the vessel, embarked security team returned fire.

B. (U) GULF OF OMAN: On 4 July, a merchant vessel, located 77 nm northeast of Muscat, Oman, reported being approached at speed by two white hulled small craft with four persons onboard each skiff.

C. (U) NIGERIA: On 3 July, one robber boarded a product tanker anchored in the Lagos Secure Anchorage area.

D. (U) BANGLADESH: On 3 July, eight robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier in Chittagong Anchorage. UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 3

E. (U) GUYANA: On 1 July, an anchored reefer was boarded by robbers in Georgetown Outer Anchorage.

F. (U) NIGERIA: On 1 July, vessel reported being attacked 20 nm southwest of Bonny.

G. (U) PERU: On 29 June, Peruvian Drug Enforcement agency officers searched the very large container ship CAP SAN SOUNIO at the Callao container terminal. They seized a 24-kilogram shipment of cocaine. H. (U) PAPUA NEW GUINEA: On 28 June, five men armed with knives boarded a small boat with a crew of 3 men near Lae. The robbers attacked the men, cutting one man’s left hand off.

I. (U) HONG KONG: On 27 June, Hong Kong Customs seized about 29,000 kilograms of suspected Guatemalan rosewood from a container at the Tsing Yi Customs Cargo Examination Compound.

J. (U) ST LUCIA: On 22 June, a robber boarded a sailing yacht anchored in Rodney Bay Gros Islet.

K. (U) GUATEMALA: On 17 June, a yacht anchored in Rio Dulce was boarded. The dinghy and outboard motor were stolen.

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

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for July 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)

B. (U) GULF OF ADEN: China Navy convoy schedule for July and August 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: India Navy convoy escort schedule for July 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)

D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Korea Navy convoy schedule for July 2018. All merchant vessels wishing to join the convoy group must submit their application forms directly to the ROK naval warship carrying o

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