Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report

UNCLASSIFIED
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OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE
(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report
7 March – 8 April 2015
9 April 2015
(U) Table of Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
(U) Scope Note
(U) Summary
(U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories
(U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region
(U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources
(U) Appendix B: Terminology and References
1. (U) Scope Note
(U) The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides info on piracy threats to, and criminal action
against, merchant vessels worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily to inform merchant
mariners and naval forces.
2. (U) Summary
A. (U) MALAYSIA: On 3 April, two robbers boarded a berthed general cargo ship at Sandakan Port Berth No. 4.
B. (U) INDONESIA: On 1 April, up to 25 pirates armed hijacked the underway petroleum product tanker
DONGFANG GLORY 62 nm north of Pulau Uwi.
3. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories
A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for April 2015. 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: Korean Navy convoy schedule for April 2015. 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 INMARSAT: 00-870-773-110-374, Email: cheonghaeetg@navy.mil.kr.
(MSCHOA)
C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for April 2015. For further information, please e-mail
planavy@navy.mil.cn, or call Tel: 86 10 652 92218/96, Fax: 86 10 652 92245. (MSCHOA)
D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for April 2015. To register, email
dgcommcentre-dgs@nic.in or visit www.dgshipping.com. Telephone numbers for contact are: 91-2222614646 or fax at 91-22- 22613636. (MSCHOA)
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
E. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Russian Navy convoy escort schedule for April 2015. For further information e-mail
smb@msecurity.ru, or, isps@msecurity.ru or fax +7 (499) 642-83-29. (MSCHOA).
4. (U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region
(U) This section lists reports of active violence against shipping, credible threats to shipping, or the potential for a
situation to develop into a direct threat to shipping over the last 30 days. Designation of a high-threat area is based
on an assessment of all-source information relating to the existence of, or potential for, piracy and other crime,
terrorism, civil unrest, or low-intensity conflict. Every effort is made to ensure that incidents are not double-counted.
In the event double-counting is detected, or an incident is later learned to be different than initially reported, an
explanation of the cancellation of the inaccurate report will be made in at least one message prior to dropping the
erroneous report.
A. (U) NORTH AMERICA: No current incidents to report.
B. (U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:
1. (U) BRAZIL: During the last week of March, there were two boardings of sailing yachts near position 12: 59 S –
038:42 W, Ilha de Itaparica. One boarding occurred during night hours while the other occurred during the day.
Four local individuals were reportedly arrested after the daylight boarding. It is unknown if they are responsible for
other incidents in the area, to include a landside assault on the crew of a third sailing yacht during this time frame.
(www.noonsite.com)
2. (U) COLOMBIA: On 23 March, two robbers boarded a sailing yacht near position 10:24 N – 075:32 W, Club
Nautico, Cartagena. The owner of the yacht yelled a warning at the robbers, who jumped overboard to escape.
(www.noonsite.com)
3. (U) COLOMBIA: On 10 March, Colombian Navy and police reported the seizure of about 200 kilograms of
cocaine on board the general cargo vessel MV CLARA E in Barranquilla. Seven crew, including one Nicaraguan
and six Colombians, have been arrested for drug trafficking. (www.fleetmon.com)
4. (U) VENEZUELA: On 7 March, robbers boarded three weekend motor boats in the Morrocoy National Park. The
robbers reportedly spent seven hours ransacking all three boats, stealing all the belongings and valuables of the
three families. They departed the area by then stealing one of the motor boats. (www.noonsite.com)
C. (U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.
D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE - BALTIC: No current incidents to report.
E. (U) MEDITERRANEAN - BLACK SEA:
1. (U) EGYPT: On 17 March, Egyptian Navy authorities announced that they had arrested MV MARTHA QUINN, on
suspicion of drug smuggling. Acting on a tip, authorities in the port of Damietta initiated a search the ship after a
Navy vessel fired warning shots as the cargo vessel refused orders to stop for inspection. Two tons of hashish was
found onboard, packed into 68 shipping pallets. Eight Syrian crewmen were arrested. (www.fleetmon.com;
www.news.odin.tc)
2. (U) TURKEY: On 13 March, Turkish Coast Guard found more than 300 refugees, mostly Syrians, when they
seized a cargo ship they had opened fired on for failing to obey an order to stop. Police arrested three crew and
found the 337 immigrants after seizing the 59-meter-long vessel as it passed through the Dardanelles strait.
Nobody was injured during the operation and the ship was docked at the Gelibolu port, according to Turkish media
reports. (gCaptain)
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
F. (U) WEST AFRICA:
1. (U) GUINEA: On 1 April, six robbers boarded an anchored ship near position 09:30 N – 013:42 W, 2.7 nm south
of the fairway buoy at Conakry. An alert deck officer sounded the general alarm and informed the captain. The deck
watch informed the watch officer that the boat attached a bamboo stick with a hook to the deck of the vessel. The
deck watch tried to remove the hook and one of the pirates pointed an AK-47 at him. Deck watchman departed the
area for safety and the crew retreated to the safe room. Attempts by the vessel to contact port control went
unanswered. A patrol boat was eventually contacted by the vessel via VHF and reported to the area. Surrounding
waters were checked and nothing was found. The vessel was checked thoroughly and nothing was noted to be
missing. (www.mtisc-gog.org)
2. (U) NIGERIA: On 30 March, five staff members of a large oil company were kidnapped by unknown gunmen 20
hours after the Presidential elections. Sources confirmed that this incident occurred on Monday at a Floating
Storage and Offloading Vessel in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, located within the oil-rich
Niger Delta area of Nigeria. (www.ventures-africa.com)
3. (U) NIGERIA: On 21 March, six armed pirates boarded an anchored floating production, storage and offload
ship near YOHO position 04:02 N – 007:31 E, 36 nm southeast of Bonny Islands. The pirates entered the
accommodation area, but were deterred by the sounding of the alarm. The pirates managed to kidnap three
crewmen as they fled. (IMB; www.mtisc-gog.com)
4. (U) IVORY COAST: On 25 March, four robbers boarded a berthed refrigerated cargo ship near position 05:15N
– 004:00 W, Fishing Port Berth DNP 23, Abidjan. Second Officer on routine rounds noticed the padlock to the
central store room missing. As he opened the door to investigate four robbers pushed him and escaped. One
robber jumped overboard while the other three left the vessel by the gangway. Local security watch observed the
situation, but did not take any action. Alarm was raised, crew was mustered, and a search was carried out. A
number of cartons had been removed from the cargo holds and lay ready to lower into a wooden boat. However, no
cargo was stolen. (IMB)
5. (U) NIGERIA: On 24 March, a possible pirate attack was reported near position 04:05 N – 007:30 E, 20 nm south
of Port Harcourt. (MTISC-GOG)
6. (U) NIGERIA: On 19 March, six pirates armed with rifles boarded an offshore supply vessel near position 04:14
N -008:02 E, 19 nm south of Kwa Ibo. Ship’s Master raised the alarm, sent SSAS alert, and mustered the crew.
Two crew members were kidnapped. The Nigerian Navy dispatched a patrol boat to the location 15 minutes after
the call. Remaining crew reported safe. (IMB; MTISC-GOG)
7. (U) CONGO: On 14 March, robbers boarded an anchored barge vessel near position 04:45 S - 011:48 E, Pointe
Noire Outer Anchorage. They broke open a store room, stole ship properties and escaped unnoticed. The incident
was discovered the next morning. (IMB)
8. (U) NIGERIA: On 12 March, two robbers boarded a berthed petroleum product tanker near position 06:27 N 003:22 E, Terminal 5, Apapa Port, Lagos. Duty pump man noticed the robbers hiding near the hatch cover of No.1
cargo oil tank. He immediately informed the duty officer and alerted all crew. Seeing the alerted crew the robbers
disconnected their own hoses and escaped by jumping overboard. Upon inspection, it was noticed that
approximately five cubic meters of base oil was stolen. Agents and Port Security Officer informed. (IMB)
9. (U) GHANA: On 10 March, a suspicious approach was reported near position 04:04 N - 001:22 W, 54 nm southsoutheast of Takoradi. The suspicious vessel was described as a 50 meter long gray or white-hulled fishing boat.
(www.mtisc-gog.org)
G.
(U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA:
1. (U) SOMALIA: On 23 March, an Iranian-flagged fishing boat was reportedly hijacked while illegally fishing near
Ceel Huur, in the Mudug region of the country. Initial reports suggested that local maritime police had arrested the
illegal fishermen and impounded their vessel, but a senior official in the Himan and Heeb administration has denied
their forces were involved. (AFP)
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
H. (U) ARABIAN GULF: No current incidents to report.
I.
(U) EAST ASIA - SOUTHEAST ASIA - INDIAN SUBCONTINENT:
Figure 1. Southeast Asia - Indian Subcontinent
Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) MALAYSIA: On 3 April, two robbers boarded a berthed general cargo ship near position 05:48 N - 118:05 E,
Sandakan Port Berth No. 4. The alarm was raised and crew mustered. Seeing the crew alertness, the robbers
escaped with stolen ship properties. Local police boarded the vessel for investigation. (IMB)
2. (U) INDONESIA: On 1 April, up to 25 pirates armed hijacked the underway petroleum product tanker MT
DONGFANG GLORY near position 02:09 N – 107:32 E, 62 nm north of Pulau Uwi. They took the crew hostage,
damaged all the bridge equipment, and stole crew personal belongings. The pirates also transferred the ship’s fuel
cargo into another vessel and escaped. All crew are safe. (IMO; www.thestar.com.my)
3. (U) INDIA: On 30 March, four robbers in a fishing boat approached an anchored dredger near position 16:59 N –
082:18 E, Kakinada Inner Anchorage. Two robbers boarded the ship. They were noticed by the 2nd Officer on
routine rounds, who informed the bridge and raised the alarm. Seeing the crew response, the robbers fled empty
handed. (IMB; NGA)
4. (U) INDONESIA: On 29 March, three robbers boarded a cargo ship near position 01:05.15N - 103:35.2E, 3.8 nm
south-southwest of Nipah Island. Duty crewman saw the robbers and raised the alarm. The crew mustered on the
bridge and all the water tight doors were secured. The crew subsequently searched the vessel and discovered that
the robbers had stolen spare engine parts. Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System informed. (IMB)
5. (U) MALAYSIA: On 29 March, the Nigerian-flagged fishing vessel, FV VIKING, was detained in Malaysia
for violations of Malaysian maritime law and possible illegal, unregulated, unreported (IUU) fishing violations. The
vessel was detained with 18 crew onboard; one Chilean, two Peruvian and 15 Indonesian citizens. The master of
the vessel, whose nationality is unknown, has been arrested. (www. www.maritime-executive.com)
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
6. (U) THAILAND: On 25 March, four robbers armed with knives boarded a berthed bulk carrier near position 13:17
N – 100:31 E, Dolphin Buoy No.16, Bangkok. Crewmembers raised the alarm and mustered. Seeing the crew
response, the robbers fled with stolen ship’s properties. (IMB)
7. (U) VIETNAM: On 25 March, four robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position
20:41 N – 107:17 E, 8.4 nm southeast of Hon Gai. When the duty officer raised the alarm, the robbers fled with
some of the ship’s stores. Agent and port authorities were notified. (IMB)
8. (U) VIETNAM: On 23 March, robbers boarded an anchored wood chip carrier near position 20:43N - 107:11E,
Cailan Outer Anchorage. The robbers broke into the forward store room, stole ship’s property and escaped
unnoticed. (IMB)
9. (U) MALAYSIA: On 22 March, ten pirates armed with guns and knives hijacked a tug towing a barge near
position 02:50.6N -104:30.7E, 18 nm east of Tioman Island. They entered the bridge, apprehended the bridge
team, then took them to the Chief Engineer's cabin where they robbed and held them hostage. The pirates then
took the Chief Engineer to the engine room and transferred part of the tugs bunkers into a small tanker. Before
departing the vessel, pirates stole some ship’s property and damaged the tugs communication equipment. The
entire operation lasted about five hours. (IMB)
10 (U) INDONESIA: On 21 March, seven robbers armed with knives boarded an underway container ship near
position 01:07 N - 103:34 E: 5 nm west-southwest of Nipah Island. They robbed the Duty Engineer of his personal
belongings, tied him up, and fled. The duty wiper on routine rounds found the bound Duty Engineer, released
him and informed the Master who informed the VTIS. Singapore Coast Guard boarded the vessel for investigation.
All crew safe. (IMB)
11. (U) INDONESIA: On 21 March, four robbers boarded an underway bulk carrier near position 01:13 N - 103:58
E, 2.8 nm northwest of Batam Island. Duty Engineer spotted the robbers and informed the bridge. Alarm was
raised, crew mustered, and Ship’s Master informed the VTIS. Seeing the crew response, the robbers escaped
empty handed. Singapore Coast Guard boarded the vessel for investigation. All crew safe. (IMB)
12. (U) INDONESIA: On 21 March, five robbers armed with a gun and knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier
near position 03:56 N – 098:45 E, Belawan Anchorage. They took hostage a duty crewman and tied him up. The
robbers stole ship's stores from the paint locker and escaped. The crewman managed to untie himself and inform
bridge who raised the alarm. Crew mustered and a search was carried out. (IMB)
13. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 20 March an unknown number of persons in four speed boats approached an underway
bulk carrier near position 06:00N – 119:13E, 27 nm west-northwest of Pearl Bank. Ship’s Master raised the alarm,
called the Malaysian Navy via VHF channel, increased speed, took evasive maneuvers, mustered the crew and
activated anti-piracy preventive measures. The boats chased the ship for 20 minutes and then moved away. (IMB)
14. (U) INDONESIA: On 19 March, three robbers boarded an underway bulk carrier near position 01:16 N - 104:16
E 5.5 nm north of Batam Island. Duty crewman noticed the robbers and informed the bridge. Alarm raised and the
entire crew mustered at the bridge. Master informed VTIS who then dispatched a patrol boat to investigate. The
robbers escaped when the patrol boat approached the vessel. All crew safe. (IMB)
15. (U) INDIA: On 16 March, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored product tanker near position
17:38 N – 083:25 E, Visakhapatnam anchorage. The robbers stole ship’s stores and escaped unnoticed. The theft
was detected the next morning. (IMB)
16. (U) THAILAND: On 17 March officials in Thailand announced that they had arrested FV KUNLUN in Phuket on
suspicion of illegal fishing. The KUNLUN attempted to avoid detection by entering the Thai port under the name
TAISHAN and claiming to be flagged in Indonesia. The vessel has a long history of illegal fishing in the Southern
Ocean and is the subject of an INTERPOL Purple Notice seeking information on the individuals and networks that
own, operate and profit from the actions of the vessel. Since 2008, the poaching vessel reportedly changed names
at least ten times in order to avoid prosecution. (www.worldfishing.net; www.maritime-executive.com.)
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
17. (U) BANGLADESH: On 12 March, armed robbers boarded an anchored tug near position 22:06 N – 091:44 E,
Chittagong Anchorage and stole ship’s stores and properties. The alarm was raised and crew mustered. As the
crew approached the robbers, they threw stones at the crew resulting in the Ship’s Master being injured. The
robbers escaped with the stolen items in their boat. The Ship’s Master sailed further away from the anchorage area.
(IMB)
18. (U) VIETNAM: On 11 March, duty crewman onboard a bulk carrier anchored near position 10:15 N - 107:02 E,
Vung Tau Anchorage, noticed robbers on deck. He informed the duty officer who raised the alarm and mustered
the crew. The robbers managed to steal ship’s stores and escape. No injury to crew. (IMB)
19. (U) INDONESIA: On 9 March, seven pirates in a speed boat, wearing masks and armed with guns and long
knives hijacked product tanker MT SINGA BERLIAN near position 01:43 N - 105:50 E, 37 nm south of Pulau
Repong. They took hostage the crew members, damaged all the communication and navigational equipment,
transferred the Marine Fuel Oil cargo into another vessel and escaped. One crew suffered minor injury during the
incident. The owners informed the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, who dispatched a vessel for
investigation. (IMB; wwwihsmaritime360.com)
20. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 7 March, a suspected mother vessel disguised as a fishing vessel deployed six high
speed skiffs which chased an underway bulk carrier near position 06:13 N - 119:50 E, 8 nm north-northwest of
Laparan Island. The persons onboard the skiffs were wearing camouflage clothes circled around and attempted to
board the ship. The ship’s Master raised the alarm, activated the water spray system, increased speed and took
evasive maneuvers. A security message was also continuously broadcasted via VHF channel 16. The ship also
contacted Philippines Navy for assistance. Upon hearing the Philippines Navy’s reply on the VHF channel, the
skiffs aborted the attempted attack and moved away. (IMB)
J.
(U) NORTH ASIA: No current incidents to report.
K. (U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN: No current incidents to report.
5. (U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources
(U) This appendix provides contact information for the author of the WTS as well as other entities that can be
contacted with maritime crime reports. It also lists other resources where the WTS is posted and where piracy and
maritime crime incident information can be found.
(U) Contact
(U) Originator of this WTS report requests consumer feedback. Originator will incorporate all anti-shipping events
and violence against the maritime industry into this weekly message where appropriate. To aid in our reporting,
please add the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) to your normal corporate and organizational reporting
requirements. The 24-hour watch can be reached at +1 (301) 669-4053.
(U) Other Resources
(U) This Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report is posted at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Maritime
Safety site: http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) also publishes a live
piracy report based on reporting from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, listing all piracy
and armed robbery incidents in the last ten days: http://www.icc-ccs.org/. The PAWW and WTS Reports are posted
weekly on the ONI Intel Portal: http://www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence_Community/piracy.htm.
6. (U) Appendix B: Terminology and References
(U) This appendix is provided to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference in reporting and also
identifies those references that were used to gather the information contained in this report. ONI welcomes
comment and suggestions for addition or amendment.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
(U) Terminology
(U) In order to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference, the following have been adopted to describe
the range of criminal anti-shipping activity and impediments to safe navigation in our worldwide reporting and
analysis. Please note that these terms relate to observable activity and are independent of target vessel status and
exclude actions by governmental powers in lawful pursuit of their authorities:

(U) Attempted Boarding – Close approach or hull-to-hull contact with report that boarding paraphernalia were
employed or visible in the approaching boat.
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(U) Blocking – Hampering safe navigation, docking, or undocking of a vessel as a means of protest.
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(U) Boarding – Unauthorized boarding of a vessel by persons not part of its complement without successfully
taking control of the vessel.
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(U) Firing Upon – Weapons discharged at or toward a vessel.
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(U) Hijacking – Unauthorized seizure and retention of a vessel by persons not part of its complement.
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(U) Kidnapping – Unauthorized forcible removal of persons belonging to the vessel from it.
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(U) Robbery – Theft from a vessel or from persons aboard the vessel.
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(U) Suspicious Approach – All other unexplained close proximity of an unknown vessel.
(U) Sourcing
(U) ONI derives information in this report from direct reporting and analysis of reports from the following agencies
and commercial sources.
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Agence France Presse (AFP)
Associated Press (AP)
BBC News (BBC)
Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), Denmark (BIMCO)
Bloomberg
EU Naval Forces (EU)
Fairplay (FP), London
International Maritime Bureau (IMB), London and Kuala Lumpur
International Maritime Organization (IMO), London
Informa Group (INFO)
Latitude38.com (LAT), website
Lloyd’s List (LL), daily, London
Local media (LM)
LSS-SAPU.com (LSS)
Maritime Administration (MARAD), US
Maritime Security Council (MSC), US
Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSCHOA), Northwood
Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre – Gulf of Guinea (MTISC-GOG)
MaRisk by Risk Intelligence (Risk Intelligence/MaRisk)
NASDAQ.COM
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Navigation Safety System
Noonsite.com (Noonsite), website
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Shipping Center (NSC), Brussels
Oceanuslive.org (OCL), website
Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) (analysis and comment)
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
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Operator (owner or operator of affected vessel)
Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), US
Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against
Ships in Asia, Information Sharing Center (ReCAAP ISC)
Reuters.com (Reuters)
Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN)
Secure Anchorage Area West Africa (SAA)
Seafarers’ Assistance Program (SAP), Kenya
Tradewinds (TW)
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO)
United Press International (UPI)
United States Coast Guard (USCG)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
U.S. Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) Bahrain
U.S. Department of State (DOS)
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
(U) ICOD: 8 April 2015
UNCLASSIFIED