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

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

16 July - 15 August 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) MDAT-GoG Advisory 001/AUG/2018: Category: Search and Rescue. Description: A company security officer has lost all communication with a merchant vessel, in vicinity of 00:27.12N - 009:30.15E (Libreville anchorage, Gabon), since approximately 14 August 0200 UTC. Vessels transiting the area are advised to exercise extreme caution. Source: Reported to MDAT-GoG via email from company. Any queries regarding this Warning 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. MDAT-GoG is not responsible for the accuracy of this reporting. MDAT-GoG Watchkeeper email: watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org, emergency Tel: +33(0) 298 22 88 88.

3. (U) Summary

A. (U) GABON: On 14 August, a company security officer reported that the company lost communication with a ship in their fleet in the vicinity of Libreville anchorage. UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 2

B. (U) BRAZIL: On 12 August, the Italy-flagged ro-ro GRANDE FRANCIA was boarded by several armed men from a boat, which came alongside the ship while at anchor in the Santos Outer Anchorage. After the armed men departed, the ship was searched and 1,322 kilograms of cocaine were found onboard.

C. (U) LIBYA: On 12 August, the coast guard intercepted 60 undocumented migrants off the coast of the northwestern city of Zawiya.

D. (U) MALAYSIA: On 10 August, several persons in speed boats boarded a tug towing a barge near Tambisan Island.

E. (U) INDIA: On 10 August, 10 to 12 perpetrators boarded a Liberia-flagged general cargo ship anchored 2.75 nm off Sagar Light.

F. (U) GHANA: On 9 August, authorities in the port of Tema arrested a Ghanaian citizen attempting to stowaway aboard a cargo ship in the harbor.

G. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 9 August, Bureau of Customs seized a shipment of smuggled sugar at the Port of Manila.

H. (U) SPAIN: On 7 August, authorities working a joint investigation intercepted a boat named TITAN III off the country’s northwest coast and arrested four men. A search of the boat revealed 2,500 kilograms of cocaine.

I. (U) BRAZIL: On 7 August, authorities in the Port of Santos port spotted suspicious activity where the Italy-flagged ro-ro ship GRANDE NIGERIA was berthed. A speedboat reportedly came alongside the ship and objects were hoisted from boat to ship’s cargo deck. Afterward the ship was searched, and 1.2 tons of cocaine were found in shipping containers.

J. (U) COSTA RICA: On 2 August, authorities announced the detention of three Colombian men and a boat carrying 2,000 kilograms of cocaine.

K. (U) CHILE: On 1 August, naval forces seized two Peruvian fishing boats illegally fishing in Chilean waters 498 km south of Antofagasta.

L. (U) EAST CHINA SEA: On 31 July, the Japanese government announced that a North Korean tanker was spotted alongside a ship displaying what looked like a Chinese flag, presumably engaged in an illegal cargo transfer.

M. (U) HONG KONG: On 20 July, customs authorities seized a consignment of 7,100 kilograms of pangolin scales in a shipping container manifested from Africa.

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

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for August 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 August 2018. For further information, please email: 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 August 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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