Weekly Advisory / Situation Report 12-27 July 2018 Red Sea - Indian Ocean Incidents -25 July 2018 An incident occurred to a M/V in PSN 55 n.m. NW from Hanish Islands An incident occurred to a MV on the 242130UTCJUL18 in PSN 1447N 04144E (55 n.m. NW from Hanish Islands) Source : UKMTO UPDATE The Saudi Arabian government has issued a statement saying they have temporarily suspended oil shipments through Bab el-mandeb Strait. Khalid al-falih, Saudi Energy Minster said in the statement sent by his ministry that two Saudi VLCCs were attacked in the Red Sea on Wednesday morning 25 July by Yemen s Houthi movement. The Saudis have not revealed the names of the tankers and have said there was
The Saudis have not revealed the names of the tankers and have said there was only minimal damage to one of the VLCCs. - On 22 July 2018 at 1422UTC a MV in position 01 06.32N 044 02.0E in vicinity of Baraawe reported being under attack. Attack has now ceased. THE MV IS NOW SAFE AND IN THE PORT OF BARAAWE. ***VESSELS TRANSITING THE AREA ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION*** Source : UKMTO Interesting information -Saudis Suspend Oil Shipments Via Bab el-mandeb After Attack Saudi Arabia took the extraordinary measure of temporarily halting oil shipments via the Bab el-mandeb Strait, a key shipping lane for crude at the southern tip of the Red Sea, after it said two tankers were attacked by Yemen s Houthi militia. -Boosting maritime security India and the 10-member ASEAN collective engaged in an intensive two-day Delhi Dialogue (July 19-20) whose focus was on strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation. This annual Dialogue, now in its tenth iteration, is an extension of the summit level meeting that was held in January this year on the occasion of the Indian Republic Day -Yemen Naval Forces Target Saudi-led Aggressors in Mokha Port Yemeni marines carried out on Monday a wide-scale attack against Saudi-led aggression forces in Mokha, a port city southwest of the capital Sanaa.
aggression forces in Mokha, a port city southwest of the capital Sanaa. Yemen s Arabic-language news network, Al-Massirah, quoted military source as saying that the operation in Mokha port achieved its goals, as heavy losses were inflicted upon aggressors. -Multi-Vessel Pileup in Suez Canal On Sunday evening, a grounding in the Suez Canal led to a multi-vessel pileup. The container ship Aeneas reportedly went aground, and three bulkers following her in the convoy collided. The boxship was not involved in the collision herself, and she was refloated and towed to Suez. -Following continuous defeats, Houthi militias offer handing over Hodeidah port Houthi militia leader Abdul Malik al-houthi hinted once again that they are ready to hand over the Hodeidah port to the United Nations, if the Arab Coalition backing the Yemeni legitimate forces halts its military operations. This development comes in the wake of the Houthis continuous defeats in the governorate of Hodeidah. -Yemen s Houthis say they attacked Aramco refinery in Riyadh with drone DUBAI (Reuters) The Iranian-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen said it had attacked a Saudi Aramco [IPO-ARAM.SE] refinery in Riyadh on Wednesday using a drone, but the oil company said a limited fire at the plant was due to an operational incident. - The Strait Containing Threats in Bab al-mandeb Currently Bab al-mandab is witnessing an unprecedented escalation of threats endangering the global trade movement passing through the strait. The technological advancement associated with naval mines emerges as an effective tool in flaring up this threat. - Kenya in collaboration to combat piracy Kenya is collaborating with India, Denmark and France among other countries to boost surveillance in the Indian Ocean and curb piracy. Following the cooperation, Indian naval ship INS Tarkash visited Mombasa port from July 4 to 6.
Threat assessment ~ The multi-vessel collision came just two days after an oil tanker touched the bottom of the Canal as it was making a southbound transit. The tanker s hull was damaged but not breached.ships are urged to not to become overreliant on pilots during their transits and to maintain crew readiness throughout. ~ Τhere are concerns being raised about just who will control the Red Sea's ports in the coming years, as various nations scramble to buy up ports. ~ Νews from Iran that the IRGC Navy and Iran Navy have agreed to have much closer ties from now on. This is not encouraging, given the amount of sabre-rattling currently taking place in the Persian Gulf. The Egyptian Navy and French Navy have held joint drills in the Red Sea, in order to improve operational understanding and training Sea Guardian continues to urge high levels of vigilance in the entire HRA with South Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and Somali Coast, remaining areas where caution needs to be exercised considering the recent incidents. ALL advisories in effect in South Red Sea and Yemeni Coast must be adhered by all. Reduced military presence in the area makes strict BMP Implementation (including IRTC and group transit scheme use) of the outmost importance West Africa Incidents
- On 22nd July 2018 at 1350 UTC. In position 0130N 00115E (274 nm south east of Takoradi Ghana). An MV was approached by a blue and white fishing vessel. Fishing vessel launched 2 skiffs which approached MV and attempted to board. MV conducted evasive maneuvers preventing skiffs getting within 0.5nm. Vessel is Safe Vessels transiting the area are advised to exercise extreme caution. Source : MDAT GoG Interesting information -New IMB report shows persistent piracy risk in Gulf of Guinea The second quarterly report from the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) shows that all 2018 crew kidnappings have so far occurred in the Gulf of Guinea in six separate incidents. A total of 107 incidents were reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) in the first six months of 2018. Threat assessment ~ A published aritcle asked if international shipping and shadowy actors are attempting to inflate the rate of maritime crime in Nigeria's waters. Clue: they're not. The country still lacks legal deterrents against maritime piracy and maritime crime and many incidents go unreported. Sea Guardian continues to urge high levels of vigilance for all vessels operating GoG waters should adopt strict BMP4 implementation measures, follow MDAT-GoG guidelines and report any suspicious activity.
South East Asia Incidents - On July 4, While at anchor, eight perpetrators armed with knives boarded the ship from a craft using ropes attached to hooks. The perpetrators tied up the deck watchman, stole three mooring ropes and escaped. The crew was not injured. The master reported the incident to the local authority. Three mooring ropes were stolen. The crew was not injured Source : ReCAAP - Οn July 7, While tug boat, Bintang Ocean 3towing barge, Winbuild 2313 was underway, Singapore Police Coast Guard reported to Singapore Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) at 0130 hrs that two sampans were spotted alongside Winbuild 2313. The VTIS Central contacted the tug boat and the master replied that
everything was fine. At about 0320 hrs, the Singapore Police Coast Guard again reported to POCC that the two same sampans were still following at the stern of Winbuild 2313. At about 0325 hrs, the tug master reported to VTIS East that four coils of tow line were missing from Winbuild 2313. Upon arrival at Changi Barge Holding Anchorage on the same day at about 0800 hrs, the Singapore Police Coast Guard boarded the ships and conducted an investigation. The crew was not injured. Four coils of tow line were stolen from the barge. The crew was not injured. Source : ReCAAP -Οn July 10,while at berth, an unknown number of perpetrators boarded the ship, stole ship stores and escaped. The deck watch crew later discovered that the forepeak store locker padlock was broken. Upon checking, aship s bell, a coil of heaving line and two bicycles were found missing. The agent and PFSO were informed and thereafter, the local police conducted an investigation and took a statement from the Chief Officer. The crew was not injured. Source : ReCAAP Interesting Information - PH, Aussie navies to hold maritime security activity in Palawan PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan Two Australian navy patrol boats arrived here Monday to participate in a Maritime Security Activity (MSA) to enhance training, interoperability, and cooperation against terrorism and kidnapping within Palawan s water lanes.
within Palawan s water lanes. - India And Maritime Security Issues In The Indian Ocean Region Indian Ocean, that at one time had been described as a British Lake became a thoroughfare for maritime trade that crossed through the Suez Canal and the Malacca Straits connecting the growing economies of the East and the West by carrying raw materials, oil and finished goods Threat assessment ~Τhe Philippine and Australian navies have been conducting joint exercises in the Sulu Sea region again, which will be welcomed by merchant vessels transiting the waters. ~ In the Philippines, the fight against Daesh-linked terrorists continues, with 13 Abu Sayyaf Group fighters surrendering to Philippine forces this week. While there hasn't been an attack at sea for some time, they remain a threat in the region. ~ Ships anchoring in Chittagong and Cox s Bazar are at risk of being boarded by intruders.thieves generally board at night, either individually or in small groups and tend to steal ship stores and other items that come to hand. The crimes appear to be opportunistic and the thieves generally flee if confronted.ships approaching Chittagong and Cox s Bazar should maintain extra watches, especially when berthed or riding at anchor.if suspicious boats attempt to come alongside an alarm should be raised SEAGUARDIAN continues to reiterate the need for collective efforts and shared responsibility among regional authorities and the shipping industry in addressing the situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia. In any case all ships transiting the areas of concern should enhance vigilance especially during hours of darkness and report all incidents to the
nearest coastal State and flag State immediately. Overall Map of Incidents can be found at our website. We would also like to encourage the recipients of this report, to follow Sea Guardian s Social networks for up to date and real time information. SEA GUARDIAN S.G. LTD will use your contact details to provide maritime security intelligence updates by email. You can change your mind at any time and all you need to do is click on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this message and we will make sure you don t receive any more communications by email from us. Copyright 2017 - SEAGUARDIAN S.G LTD - All rights reserved. Our contact information : opscenter@sguardian.com / west-ops@sguardian.com tel: +357 25351125 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. This email was sent to asegkou@sguardian.com why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences SEA GUARDIAN S.G. LTD 4, Agias Elenis str.5th Floor Nicosia 1060 Cyprus