Merlin Global Maritime Weekly MarSec Brief

ASKET Operations Team
Aug 24, 2020
2 min read

SUMMARY

WAF

In the last 7 days there has been one incident within the WAF VRA, a suspicious approach at the Banana Anchorage in the Congo. Prior incident was the boarding and hijacking of the crew of the CURACAO TRADER, 230nm South of Lagos. As per the July monthly review incidents are more prevalent offshore Nigerian EEZ in a crescent from Lomé to Sao Tome. There is a possible need for additional mitigations particular off Bonny, Brass and Malabo, however this latest incident reinforces that when calling within the larger Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) precautions need to be taken.

IOR

19th August, a Tanker was reportedly boarded by Somalia Uniformed Force whilst in Somalia territorial waters. 21st August the vessel was released and is being escorted North by an EU Warship. Whilst not all details are know at this stage for the reason of the detention, this highlight's political tensions in the region which owners and masters need to partake of appropriate planning in making safe passage in the region. The Gulf of Aden remains a higher risk profile than other areas with the IOR for potential piracy issues.

Yemen Port situation

According to information received from our correspondent Gulf Agency Co. (Yemen) Ltd. (GAC), the port situation in Yemen as at 30 July 2020 is as follows:

Working: Aden, Rudhum Oil Exporting Terminal, Mukalla, Ash Shihr Oil Exporting Terminal, Nishtun, Saleef and Hodeidah

Closed: Mokha, Ras Isa Marine Terminal (Safer), Ras Isa Petroleum Products Reception Facility and Balhaf LNG Terminal

Working: Aden, Rudhum Oil Exporting Terminal, Mukalla, Ash Shihr Oil Exporting Terminal, Nishtun, Saleef and Hodeidah

Closed: Mokha, Ras Isa Marine Term

Contact us today (remember to mention ASKET) to discussing performing Due Diligence and Risk Assessments for any High-Risk Area to ensure peace of mind for your fleet and to discuss possible mitigations or further information on regions or port calls. These are produced by experienced Maritime Operations Officers who have experience of sailing in the region as well as commercial and technical operations of vessels in the regions and understand your and your charterers requirements.

Capt David Lockwood

Operations Director

Merlin Global Maritime

www.Merlin-Global-Maritime.co.uk