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

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

28 November - 31 December 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

2. (U) Warnings and Advisories: .

A. IMB/PRC/Alert 207-2019 311030 UTC DEC 2019: TO: ALL SHIPS TRANSITING IN/OFF SINGAPORE STRAITS / SOUTHERN MALACCA STRAITS - GENERAL WARNING. Attacks continue to rise for Singapore Straits recently. The center has received reports on 11 incidents. The robbers normally will abort boarding attempts or flee once spotted, the alarm is sounded, and authorities are notified. All vessels are advised to maintain a vigilant anti-piracy watch and measures. Early detection will allow ships to take evasive measures to prevent boarding and request for assistance. Report all attacks and suspicious sightings 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. IMB/PRC/Alert 206-2019 311015 UTC DEC 2019: TO: ALL SHIPS TRANSITING IN/OFF GULF OF GUINEA/ TOGO/BENIN/NIGERIA/CAMEROON - GENERAL WARNING. Attacks and crew kidnappings continue to rise in the GoG. The centre has received numerous incidents and this year to date 121 crews were kidnapped. All vessels are advised to maintain a vigilant anti-piracy watch and measures. Passing 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. Report all attacks and suspicious sightings 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@iccccs.org / piracy@icc-ccs.org. . UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 2

C. (U) MARAD Advisory 2019-012-Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea-Threats to Commercial Vessels. Description: This revised advisory cancels U.S. Maritime Advisories 2019-004 and 2019-008. References: U.S. Maritime Alerts 2019-004A, 2019-003A, 2019-002A, and 2019-001A. Issue: Heightened military activity and increased political tensions in this region continue to pose serious threats to commercial vessels. Associated with these threats is a potential for miscalculation or mis-identification that could lead to aggressive actions. Vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman may also encounter GPS interference, bridge-to-bridge communications spoofing, and/or other communications jamming with little to no warning. For more information about U.S. Maritime Alerts and Advisories, including subscription details, please visit http://www.marad.dot.gov/MSCI. .

3. (U) Summary:

A. (U) STRAIT OF HORMUZ: On 30 December, Iran detained a ship carrying purportedly smuggled fuel near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.

B. (U) CAMEROON: On 30 December, pirates boarded the Greece-flagged tanker HAPPY LADY and kidnapped eight crewmembers.

C. (U) GULF OF GUINEA: On 30 December, Singapore-flagged Bulk carrier DROGBA was attacked 45 NM south-southwest of Bonny, Nigeria.

D. (U) GULF OF GUINEA: On 30 December, Vietnam-flagged bulk carrier VINALINES MIGHTY was attacked 150 NM northwest of Sao Tome.

E. (U) (U) GULF OF GUINEA: On 28 December, Bermuda-flagged tanker LNG LUKOJA was attacked in Gulf of Guinea 70 NM northwest of Sao Tome.

F. (U) SINGAPORE STRAIT: On 28 December, robbers boarded a bulk carrier underway in the Singapore Strait. .

G. (U) EAST CHINA SEA: On 27 December, the government of Japan provided the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea with evidence the regime is engaging in illegal ship-to-ship transfers of goods in violation of UN sanctions. .

H. (U) NIGERIA: On 26 December, authorities from the Indian High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria stated that the government of India has established contact with pirates who kidnapped 20 Indian seafarers from a tanker off Benin earlier in the month. .

I. (U) EQUATORIAL GUINEA: On 25 December, offshore vessel operator Swire Pacific Offshore (SPO) announced that seven crewmembers of the PACIFIC WARDEN, abducted off Equatorial Guinea had been released. .

J. (U) NIGERIA: On 21 December, two robbers boarded a tanker anchored in Lagos Secure Anchorage Area. .

K. (U) MOZAMBIQUE: On 14 December, authorities intercepted and searched a vessel off the coast of Cabo Delgado province and found 1.5 tons of heroin.

Download the latest report here