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

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

7 January - 6 February 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 Advisory 001/FEB/2019: Category: Attack. Description: On Sunday, 3 February around 0530Z, a vessel has been attacked near position 02:33N - 004:44E, 93 nm south of Cotonou, Benin. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution in this area. Source: Reported to MDAT-GoG. 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@mdatgog.org, emergency tel: +33(0) 298 22 88 88.

3. (U) Summary

A. (U) NIGERIA: On 4 February, two robbers boarded a merchant tanker vessel at Lagos Anchorage.

B. (U) NIGERIA: On 3 February, pirates boarded the Marshall Islands-flagged landing craft M/V LAETITIA V 137 nm southwest of Brass, and kidnapped three crewmen.

C. (U) PACIFIC OCEAN: On 2 February, a Chinese fishing boat captain was arrested about 300 kilometers southeast of Hahajima Island, Japan, on suspicion of illegal fishing. UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 2

D. (U) AUSTRALIA: On 1 February, authorities in Coffs Harbour announced the seizure of 750 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a sailing yacht.

E. (U) SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES: On 1 February, robbers boarded a sailing yacht anchored in Cumberland Bay.

F. (U) ST LUCIA: On 1 February, robbers boarded a sailing yacht anchored in Vieux Fort.

G. (U) CAPE VERDE: On 31 January, the Panama-flagged general cargo ship ESER docked in the Port of Praia due to the death of a crewman onboard. During a search of the ship, 9.5 tons of cocaine was found.

H. (U) ITALY; On 31 January, customs authorities seized two tons of cocaine from a ship in the Port of Genoa.

I. (U) MEXICO: On 31 January, an environmental NGO vessel was attacked by 20 small boats while patrolling in the northern Gulf of California.

J. (U) ST LUCIA: On 31 January, robbers boarded a sailing yacht anchored in Rodney Bay Gros Islet.

K. (U) RED SEA: On 26 January, a merchant vessel anchored 10.8 nm northwest of Hodeidah, was approached by a skiff with 4 persons onboard armed with AK-47s and an RPG.

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

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

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