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

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

3 December 2018 – 2 January 2019

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 WARNING 001/JAN/2019: Category: Attack. Description: A merchant vessel was attacked in position 05:28N – 002:21E, 55 nm south of Cotonou, Benin, around 0000Z. 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. MDATGOG Watchkeeper email: watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org, emergency tel: +33(0) 298 22 88 88.

3. (U) Summary

A. (U) BENIN: On 2 January, pirates attacked a small container ship 55 nm south of Cotonou. Several crewmen were kidnapped.

B. (U) GERMANY: On 1 January, the Dutch Coast Guard issued a navigational warning after an ultra-large containership lost 270 containers in bad weather while underway in the North Sea.

C. (U) MALTA: On 1 January, customs authorities intercepted a shipping container at the Freeport containing 5,020 kilograms of hashish. UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 2

D. (U) ENGLAND: On 31 December, a group of 12 Iranian migrants were being interviewed by immigration officials after they came ashore near Lydd-on-Sea, Kent.

E. (U) TUNISIA: On 30 December, customs officers seized 14 hunting rifles at Tunis's La Goulette port.

F. (U) MOROCCO: On 27 December, Morocco’s Navy rescued 367 migrants off the country's northern coast.

G. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 27 December, a US Navy Destroyer conducted a flag verification boarding of a dhow in the Gulf of Aden and found 11,000 pounds of hashish.

H. (U) TAIWAN: On 26 December, Pingtung District Prosecutors Office announced that law enforcement officials seized 470 kilograms of heroin being brought on shore.

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

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for January 2019. 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 January 2019. 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: South Korea Navy convoy schedule for January 2019. 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)-870-776-444-280 or (001)-870-773-110-438. Email: choiyoung981@navy.mil.kr or kes0539@hanmail.net (MSCHOA)

Download this week's report here