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

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

1 - 31 October 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) IMBKL WARNING 310800 UTC OCT 2018: To all ships transiting in / off Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo / Gulf of Guinea. WARNING…WARNING…WARNING. The IMB PRC has received three reported incidents on the same day, 29 October 2018, off Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo/Gulf of Guinea. The center is extremely concerned about this new area of attack in the GOG. Local and regional authorities have been notified and the center will monitor the situation. the three incidents are:

1) On 29 October 2018 at 0330 UTC in position 04:57S - 010:43E, around 68 nm west of Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo. A small vessel was hijacked by armed pirates and thereafter was used to attack other vessels in the vicinity. Before releasing the vessel, they kidnapped four crew members. One crewman was reported injured. Remaining crew sailed the vessel to a safe port.

2) On 29 October 2018 at 1212 UTC in position 04:47S - 010:08E, around 102 nm west of Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo. a tanker was under attack and reported as hijacked. Currently missing. Further details are awaited.

3) On 29 October 2018 at 1250 UTC in position 04:46S - 010:08E, around 101 nm west of Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo. Pirates fired upon the vessel. Ship managed to escape. Crew safe. Pirates armed with guns had used an inflatable speed boat with outboard motor to conduct the attack suggesting that they had come from another larger vessel. Currently, a tanker is reported missing and pirates may still be onboard. Pirates may attack other vessels using the hijacked/missing tanker. Be vigilant of other suspicious vessel including fishing vessels in the vicinity. Do not drift or bunker at sea unprotected in these waters especially close to coast. Ships are advised to stay at least 200 nm from coast preferably 250 nm from coast. Early assessment / detection will allow ships to take evasive measures to prevent boarding and request for assistance. Vessels are advised to remain vigilant and maintain strict anti-piracy watch and measures and stay well clear of the above position.

All attacks and suspicious sightings should be reported to local authorities and to the IMB PRC as per IMO Cir 1334. IMB Piracy Reporting Centre 24-hour anti-piracy helpline +603 2031 0014 fax: +603 2078 5769, email: imbkl@icc-ccs.org / piracy@icc-ccs.org.

B. (U) ReCAAP WARNIING 01-10-2018 Date: 30 Oct 2018: The ReCAAP ISC has received information from the Philippine Focal Point (Philippine Coast Guard) that a group of approximately 10 ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) members armed with pistol, rifles and grenade launcher is planning to conduct kidnapping activities at any opportune time in undisclosed areas in Sabah primarily targeting businessmen or ship's crew of foreign vessels passing through the area. They are using unmarked colored blue and white motorbanca locally known as jungkong. Ship masters and crew are strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance when transiting the waters off eastern Sabah and Sulu-Celebes Seas. Source: Philippine Coast Guard. ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) Email: info@recaap.org, tel: +65 6376 3084, fax: +65 6376 3066.

C. (U) MDAT-GoG Warning 001/OCT/2018 - UPDATE 002: Category: Hijack. Category: Summary of events for 29 October2018. Description: On 29 October 2018 at 12:50Z, two vessels were under attack in position 04:47S - 010:07E, 270° / 102 nm of Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo. One MV has left the area and is safe. The second merchant vessel is reported as hijacked. Last position at 300524Z, 03:21S – 007:28E, course 294, speed 12. It is now reported that a third merchant vessel was hijacked at 290430Z and subsequently involved in the attacks on the above vessels. This vessel has been released and is now safe. 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.

D. (U) MDAT-GoG Advisory 004/OCT/2018: Category: Attack. Description: On 27 October 2018 at 0400Z, a vessel was attacked in position 03:21N - 006:30E (225°/60 nm of Bonny, Nigeria). Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution in this area. Source: Phone call. 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. 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.

E. (U) MDAT-GOG Advisory 003/OCT/2018: Category: Attack. Description: Time late report received that a merchant vessel was attacked by an unknown number of speed boats and pirates at approximately 2030 UTC, on 25 October 2018. The exact position of the attack is unknown; it can be estimated at the following point position 04:21.42N – 007:42.56E. Source: Reported to MDAT-GoG from industry. 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 for situational awareness to 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.

F. (U) MARAD 2018-008A-GPS Interference-Jeddah Port. GPS interference has been reported near Jeddah Port, Saudi Arabia, in the vicinity of position 21:29N – 039:09E on 15 and 18 October 2018. These incidents have not been confirmed. This interference is resulting in either inaccurate positions or no position. Exercise caution when transiting this area. Further updates will be provided when available. This alert will automatically expire on 29 October 2018. See U.S. Maritime Advisory 2018-007 and https://go.usa.gov/xPQpe for additional GPS info, including how to report GPS problems or anomalies.

3. (U) Summary

A. SPAIN: On 30 October, authorities seized 3,250 kilograms of hashish and arrested eight people.

B. (U) REPUBLIC OF CONGO: On 29 October, offshore supply vessel ARK TZE was boarded by armed pirates 68 nm west of Pointe Noire. The pirates kidnapped four crewmen and escaped.

C. (U) REPUBLIC OF CONGO: On 29 October, pirates in a speed boat fired upon LPG tanker BW FRIGG 101 nm, west of Pointe Noire.

D. (U) REPUBLIC OF CONGO: On 29 October, M/T ANUKET AMBER was reportedly hijacked 102 nm west of Pointe Noire.

E. (U) SOMALIA: On 28 October, EU NAVFOR military personnel seized an active Pirate Action Group (PAG) whaler and destroyed it.

F. (U) NIGERIA: On 27 October, pirates attacked the container ship POMERANIA SKY, 60 nm southwest of Bonny. Eleven crewmen were kidnapped.

G. (U) INDIA: On 26 October, three robbers attempted to board an anchored Marshall Islands-flagged tanker in Kandla Anchorage.

H. (U) NIGERIA: On 26 October, 12 crewmen of Swiss-flagged bulk carrier M/V GLARUS were released. They were kidnapped on 22 September.

I. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 24 October, one robber boarded a berthed LPG tanker during cargo operations at JG Summit Terminal Jetty 1, Batangas.

J. (U) MALAYSIA: On 24 October, five persons were arrested on suspicion of sea robbery.

K. (U) REPUBLIC OF CONGO: On 20 October, robbers boarded a landing craft anchored in Pointe Noire Anchorage.

L. (U) AUSTRALIA: On 19 October, customs authorities seized two sea cargo containers at the Melbourne Examination Facility after they were found to contain 10 million contraband cigarettes.

M. (U) ENGLAND: On 19 October, Border Force officers at the Port of Tyne International Passenger Terminal seized approximately 115 kilograms of cocaine.

N. (U) VIETNAM: On 16 October, robbers, pretending to be stevedores, boarded an anchored bulk carrier in Campha Anchorage.

O. (U) BONAIRE: On 11 October, two young men boarded a catamaran anchored in the Kralendijk mooring field.

P. (U) CURACAO: On 1 October, robbers boarded an occupied yacht anchored in Cabrita Bay.

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

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for November 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 November 2018. For further information, please email: planavy@navy.mil.cn, or call Tel: 441 221 061 or 00870 773 120 215. (MSCHOA)

C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: India Navy convoy escort schedule for November 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)

D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Pakistan Navy convoy schedule for November 2018. The application deadline is at least 1 day prior to the convoy escort. To register with the Pakistan Navy Convoy, please send an email to: fhq@paknavy.gov.pk. (MSCHOA)

E. (U) GULF OF ADEN: South Korea Navy convoy schedule for November 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) +1 646 466 9528 or (001) +1 646 466 9521. Email: adenbay27@gmail.com or aden27@navy.mil.kr. (MSCHOA)

F. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Russian Navy convoy escort schedule for November and December 2018. For further information e-mail smb@msecurity.ru, isps@msecurity.ru or fax +7 (499) 642-83-29. (MSCHOA).

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