17th monthly report - Maritime Piracy and Terrorism Weeks 18-22 (01. May 31. May 2015) Published by: AGEMA-Services, Am Kiel-Kanal 1, 24106 Kiel, Intelligence Department - All rights reserved, this document is copyrighted - Distribution and modification only after agreement Contents 1 Pirate activity: general overview... - 2-2 West Africa... - 7-2.1 Incident reports West Africa... - 8-3 Indian Ocean... - 14-3.1 Incident reports Indian Ocean... - 15-4 Southeast Asia... - 18-4.1 Incident reports Southeast Asia... - 19 - Sources: [A] ICC Live Piracy Report [B] IMO GISIS Piracy and Armed Robbery [C] NATO Shipping Centre [D) Office of Naval Intelligence [E] www.news.odin.tc/maritime Bulletin [F] www.marineforum.info [G] International news portals [H] regional/local news portals AGEMA-Services GmbH Chief executive officer: Sven Meyer District court: Kiel / Germany Commercial registry: HRB 13739 KI VAT ID: DE282007669 Please direct your questions and comments to: intel@agema-services.de
1 Pirate activity: General overview In May, the total number of reported incidents in West Africa region counts almost twice as much as in the reporting period of April. The overall record of the Southeast Asia area nearly doubled as well. In the Indian Ocean region, pirate activity rebounds. All in all, piracy related encroachments increase in the statistically recorded regions. a. General trends 2014/2015, number of reports Extended Trend, weekly based (2015) 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 West Africa Indian Ocean Southeast Asia EXTENDED TREND, MONTHLY BASED (2014/2015) 30 25 20 15 10 5 October November December January February March April May 0 West Africa Indian Ocean Southeast Asia - 2 -
b. Overview by ships type West Africa Container Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage 1 KOTA SAHABAT 19.05.2015 35 nm S of Bonny Attack Unknown Town, West Africa Tanker Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage 1 MT INTERIM 19.05.2015 South Akaw Ibom State, Nigeria Attack Assailant wounded 2 KARINA THERESA 26.05.2015 Lagos Port, West None Africa anchorage Bulker Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage 1 HONEY BADGER 15.05.2015 Conakry Anchorage, Guinea anchorage crew properties and ship s cash stolen MPP Carrier Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage - Offshore Vessel Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage 1 Unknown 18.05.2015 20 nm South of Eket, West Africa - 3 - Kidnapping 6 crew members kidnapped Unknown 2 PM SALEM 11.05.2015 INIM Field, Nigeria Attack Other Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage 1 MCP ADAMAS 07.05.2015 Matai, DRC Ship stores anchorage and cargo 2 Unknown 12.05.2015 MPN Oil Fields, Nigeria 3 ITHUAKU1 MT RIO 6 14.05.2015 South of Port Harcourt, West Africa Kidnapping Kidnapping stolen 4 crew members kidnapped 9 crew members kidnapped 4 Unknown 15.05.2015 Cameroon/Nigeria Attack Females raped; all passengers robbed 5 ABUJA EAGLE 19.05.2015 South River State, Attack Unknown Nigeria 6 Unknown 22.05.2015 South Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Attack Outboard motors stolen 7 Unknown 22.05.2015 Cote d Ivoire Approach None 8 Unknown 26.05.2015 Dakar Senegal Harbour anchorage Unknown 9 Unknown 28.05.2015 Nigeria Approach None Indian Ocean Container Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage Tanker Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage 1 Unknown 15.05.2015 Kandla Port, India anchorage Ship s properties stolen 2 Unknown 26.05.2015 Kandla Port, India anchorage Ship s stores stolen Bulker Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage -
MPP Carrier Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage - Offshore Vessel Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage - - Other Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage 1 Unknown 09.05.2015 Indian Ocean Approach None 2 Unknown 14.05.2015 15 nm S of Abu Musa, UAE Approach None 3 Unknown 26.05.2015 Indian Ocean Approach None 4 Unknown 27.05.2015 Indian Ocean Approach None Southeast Asia Container Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage 1 BALSA 22.05.2015 Vung Tau Roads, Vietnam anchorage Ship s stores stolen 2 MTT TAWAU 23.05.2015 5 nm S of Pulau None Nipa, Indonesia underway Tanker Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage 1 GOLDEN AVENUE 01.05.2015 Malacca Straits Approach None 2 OCEAN ENERGY 02.05.2015 Malacca Straits Hijack Gasoil cargo transferred; cash and personal belongings stolen; vessel equipment damaged 3 ASHADA 05.05.2014 Chittagong Outer Anchorage, anchorage Ship s stores stolen Bangladesh 4 ALPHA 08.05.2015 Singapore Straits underway None 5 OVERSEAS ATH- ENS 10.05.2015 Dumai Tanker Anchorage, Indonesia 6 ORIENTAL GLORY 15.05.2015 Northern Kalimantan, Malaysia 7 Unknown 18.05.2015 4 nm SW of Pulau Nipah, Indonesia - 4 - anchorage Hijack underway Unknown Oil cargo transferred; personal belongings stolen; ship s equipment damaged Ship s properties and generator spares stolen None 8 MAERSK TACOMA 20.05.2015 Dumai Anchorage, Indonesia anchorage 9 STI RUBY 20.05.2015 Batangas Anchorage, Ship s properpines Philip- anchorage ties stolen Bulker Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage 1 CS CALVINA 04.05.2015 Singapore Ship s stores Straits underway stolen 2 MARITIME 04.05.2015 Singapore None CHAMPION Straits underway 3 OCEAN RUBY 05.05.2015 SSW of Pulau Approach None
Nipah, Indonesia 4 TIGER WEST 09.05.2015 Singapore Straits 5 MILOS WARRIOR 09.05.2015 Singapore Straits 6 NORD SEOUL 11.05.2015 6,5 nm S of Vung Tau, Vietnam 7 WADI ALBOSTAN 16.05.2015 7 nm W of Kutubdia Island, of Bangladesh underway underway anchorage anchorage None None Ship s stores stolen; padlocks brocken Ship s properties and stores stolen MPP Carrier Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage - Offshore Vessel Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage - Other Ship s name Date Area Incident Damage 1 SAGA JOURNEY 06.05.2015 Singapore Straits anchorage Ship s properties stolen 2 BBC MOONSTONE 16.05.2015 158 nm SE of Vung Tau, Vietnam 3 BBC SEINE 17.05.2015 Chittagong Outer Anchorage, Bangladesh underway anchorage Ship s properties stolen; several padlocks missing Unknown - 5 -
c. Total Overview West Africa Indian Ocean Southeast Asia Total Total 15 6 21 42 Type of Incident Approach 2 4 2 8 Attack 6 6 Boarding Hijack 2 2 Kidnapping 3 3 harbor anchorage 4 2 10 16 underway 7 7 Ship s Type Container 1 2 3 Tanker 2 2 9 13 Bulk Carrier 1 7 8 MPP Carrier Offshore Supply Vessel 2 2 Other 9 4 3 16 Time Day 1 2 3 Night 9 4 10 23 Morning 4 5 9 Evening 1 1 3 5 Unknown 1 1 2 Status Underway/drifting 5 4 10 19 Anchored 6 2 11 19 Unknown 4 4 Dead Injured 1 1 Hostages 3 3 Shot at 1 1 Firearms sighted 4 1 3 8 Knifes sighted 1 4 5 RPG sighted VPT on board 1 1 VPT/use of flares 1 1 VPT/show of weapons VPT/warning shots 1 1 VPT/aimed fire 1 1 Remarks: - Incidents are listed according to the publication of the report not of the actual date of the incident. - Discrepancies between single assets and total account may result out of multiple types of incident for a single incident. - Attacks, Hijackings, Kidnappings, and in some boardings are categorized as incidents of high intensity - Obviously double reported incidents are counted as just one occurrence. - Type of incident only counts the highest level reached per incident, less serious stages are not taken into account (e.g. for each hijack a vessel has to been boarded previously, in such a case only the hijack will be registered but not the boarding). - All three types of robbery also include cases of intended robbery. According to experience specific approaches or boardings are counted as robbery. - Approach also includes reported sightings of suspicious crafts. The reporting vessel does not have to be approached at all. - Dead, injured and hostages only lists the number of cases not the actual number of dead, injured or hostages. - 6 -
2 West Africa In May, 15 piracy related occurrences were recorded in West Africa region. This is the highest number since AGEMA started to compile own piracy-incident-statistics in January 2014. In this reporting period especially the number of attacks and robberies in anchorage areas increased significantly. Moreover, two approaches and three kidnappings took place. Therefore, West African piracy is not only characterized by low- and medium-impact proceedings, but also by high-impact-assaults. It is noticeable that the five attacks (B, E, H, I and J) as well as all the kidnappings (C, D and G) are located in the coastal and the territorial waters of the Nigerian state. Every attack was conducted by pirates in speedboats. Incident E is of extreme brutal nature. Regarding the coordinates and the proceedings of the attacks H, I and J it can be assumed that these are likely conducted by the same group of pirates. The kidnappings also seem to be related. Their coordinates are nearly consistent with each other. Due to the rarely given information further interpretations would be too far-reaching. In general, it is probable that these kidnappings will refer to the typical pattern und that the hostages are going to be released within four to six weeks after ransom money has been paid before. According to this scheme it became public on the 13 th May that 3 crew members, which had been kidnapped near the Antan Oil field in the Gulf of Guinea in April, were finally released by the pirates. The French offshore supply vessels operator refused to disclose further details, but based on unofficial information, the ransom had been paid to the pirates. Hence, kidnapping is still a lucrative business for pirates. Currently, it is assumed that there are at least 15 crews in the hands of kidnappers. As in the previous reporting period, some of the low-impact assaults (incident F and N) are located in the coastal and territorial waters of Guinea. It is Comments possible that right there increasing pirate activity will expand further and has to be observed critically. Other robberies (incident K and M) as well as Pirate activity is on the highest level Eight high-impact assaults took place the approach O occurred in the anchorage area or the coastal region of the Nigerian state. Despite Several persons were kidnapped the continuing high number of piracy related encroachments the Nigeria's Joint Task Force congratulates itself in the media for capturing a number of vessels involved in oil theft. Situation handlings like this give a false impression of the prevailing maritime security in West Africa region in general. - 7 -
2.1 Incident reports West Africa, May 2015 A Ikungulu anchorage, Matadi, DRC Date: 07.05.2015 Duty crew on routine rounds on board anchored general 0700LT cargo ship MCP ADAMAS spotted two boats ap- Posn: 05 51S 13 24E proaching and immediately informed the D/O. Subsequently, General cargo the robbers boarded the ship armed with knives. The alarm was raised, ship s whistle sounded Type of incident anchorage and all crew mustered on the bridge. Attempts were made to contact Port control but no response was received. Master reported the incident to the agents. At 0735 LT, the robbers escaped with ship stores and cargo. Upon investigation, one container was found open and its contents stolen. B INIM field, Nigeria Date: 11.05.2015 The supply vessel PM SALEM has been attacked while 0100UTC operating. The Exxonmobil security center received Posn: 04 18N 007 52E information from the patrolling security vessel FOL Supply vessel VISION 1 that 1 speedboat with 3 armed men on board was sighted within the field. It is believed that these Type of incident Attack armed men are responsible for an attack on the supply vessel, causing her to go into lockdown. It is unclear at this point if the pirates managed to board the vessel. Further information will follow once obtained. C MPN Oil fields, Nigeria Date: 12.05.2015 Exact location and time unknown. 4 crew members, unknown possibly Nigerian nationals, have been kidnapped. The Posn: 04 20N 008 00E kidnapping took place while the crew members were Speedboat being transferred back to land in a speedboat from the MPN oil field. Further information will follow once Type of incident Kidnapping obtained. D South of Port Harcourt, West Africa Date: 14.05.2015 2 vessels have been attacked and a total of 9 crew 0350UTC members kidnapped, while stationed 2 nm off the Posn: 04 01N 007 05E FPSO MYSTRAS. 2 vessels involved in the attack were Unknown the ITHUAKU 1 and the MT RIO. 6 crew members from the ITHUAKU 1 were kidnapped along with 3 crew Type of incident Kidnapping members from the MT RIO. Further information will follow once obtained. - 8 -
E Bakassi Peninsula, Cameroon/ Nigeria boarder Date: 15.05.2015 On May 15th at approximately 0900 LT, a passenger 0900UTC boat with 19 passengers and minimal crew was approached Posn: 03 42N 008 32E at speed by 1 identified pirate speed boat. Passenger boat The unknown amount of armed pirates held the passenger vessel at gun point. Pirates boarded the pas- Type of incident Attack senger boat, forcing the pilot to jump into the water. Then pirates robbed all 19 passengers and raped an unknown number of females. Pirates fled the passenger boat with the stolen items. Although an increase in Federal Government gun boat patrol has been enforced, all vessels are advised to stay vigilant whilst transiting the Bakassi Waterways on the Nigeria and Cameroon boarder. F Conakry Anchorage, Guinea Date: 15.05.2015 6 robbers armed with AK-47 rifles boarded anchored 0345LT bulk carrier HONEY BADGER. 2nd officer saw 2 robbers Posn: 09 32N 013 43W on the poop deck and immediately raised the alarm Bulk carrier and informed the Master. Robbers aimed the AK-47 towards the 2nd officer and duty AB who immediately Type of incident anchorage retreated into the citadel. Robbers broke into the Masters cabin, fired a few rounds towards the deck head and demanded money from the Master. Before escaping, robbers stole crew properties and ship's cash. Port control informed. G 20 nm South of Eket, West Africa Date: 18.05.2015 An offshore tug vessel was attacked and boarded by 2340UTC armed pirates. 2 speedboats was sighted in the attack Posn: 04 18N 007 52E and 6 crew members were kidnapped. They were estimated Offshore tug to be the Captain, Engineer, 3 X Officers and Status of ship: Unknown an AB, 2 of which are said to be expatriates. Type of incident Kidnapping - 9 -
H 35 nm South of Bonny Town, West Africa Date: 19.05.2015 A container vessel KOTA SAHABAT was chased and 0240UTC attacked by armed pirates whilst sailing South AKWA Posn: 04 02N 007 05E IBOM, South BONNY. A distress call was sent via VHF Container 16 stating she was under attack, advisories were then given to the Master via vessels in the area to alter Type of incident Attack course and head to the OKWORI field, as this is the closest field in which support could be offered. At approximately 0400 LT, the container vessel arrived at the OKWORI field with no sign of the speed boats. Crew members are safe. I Yoho Field, South River State, Nigeria Date: 19.05.2015 A crew boat ABUJA EAGLE was attacked and boarded 0610LT by an unknown number of armed pirates whilst she Posn: 04 00N 007 30E was operating in the Yoho field. Armed pirates Crew boat launched the attack from 2 speed boats. All crew Status of ship: Unknown members retreated to the Citadel, pirates attempted Type of incident Attack to enter, when efforts failed the pirates aborted the attack. Crew members and vessel are now safe. J South AKWA IBOM State, Nigeria Date: 19.05.2015 An attack has occurred on MT INTERIM close to FSO 0900LT OKORO, the anchored tanker was reported to have Posn: 04 25N 007 50E raised her alarm as 2 speed boats approached, the Product tanker embarked navy personnel that were securing the tanker open fired towards the approaching speed Type of incident Attack boats. An assailant is reported as being wounded during the cross fire, the pirates aborted the attack and were witness to have left the area at high speed. K East of Opobo town, South Akwa Ibom, Nigeria Date: 22.05.2015 Exact position unknown. A number of local fishermen 0220UTC have been attacked by armed pirates whilst fishing. Posn: 04 27N 007 42E The pirates are using two speed boats described as Fishing vessel having black and green hulls. Pirates stole the fishing Status of ship: Unknown vessels outboard motors during the attacks Type of incident Attack - 10 -
L Abidjan Anchorage, Cote d'ivoire. West Africa Date: 22.05.2015 2 armed robbers in a wooden boat used by local fishermen 0135UTC approached the vessel. One of the robbers at- Posn: 05 11N 003 58W tempted to board but was frightened off by the alarm Unknown and whistle that was activated by the on duty AB who Status of ship: Unknown sighed the robbers. They immediately escaped and Type of incident Approach after a search nothing was found to be stolen on board. M Berth number 1 Tincan, Lagos Port, West Africa Date: 26.05.2015 There has been an attempted boarding from tanker 0100UTC KARINA THERESA whilst at berth. 1 small craft with 1-3 Posn: 04 42N 008 32E persons on-board was noticed by the on duty watchkeeper Tanker maneuvering around the starboard side of the Status of ship: Berthed tanker. The 1-3 persons onboard the small craft were Type of incident anchorage described as local black nationals wearing casual clothing. 1-3 suspected robbers attempted to board the tanker from the berthed side of the vessel. The boarding was aborted after the on duty watchkeeper noticed the suspected robbers. The tanker had hired local watchmen and had also maintained extra watch keeping whilst alongside. No weapons were sighted and the suspected robbers were reported to have made a quick departure in their craft when they realized they had been noticed. Nothing was found to be stolen and no crew were injured during the attempted boarding. N Dakar Senegal Harbour Date: 26.05.2015 Exact time and position unknown. A berthed vessel 0345UTC was boarded by 3 stowaways who were sighted hidden Posn: 14 40N 017 25W on board in the rudder trunk space. They entered Unknown the trunk by forcing open the security gating. Prior to Status of ship: Berthed the vessel departing the harbor all 3 stowaways were Type of incident anchorage fed and then handed over to the Local Authorities. - 11 -
O Nigeria Date: 28.05.2015 Exact position unknown. A vessel transiting from 2050UTC Lome, Togo to Luba, Equatorial Guinea detected on Posn: 03 07N 005 53E her radar a small boat without any Automatic Identification Unknown System (AIS) identification or navigation lights on approaching her. After several changes of course, Type of incident Approach the suspicious boat was still on relative track with the vessel. Search lights were switched on and directed to the suspicious boat whilst all crew mustered. When the distance between the suspicious boat and the vessel was about 4 cables, the vessel started sounding blasts on her horn, then immediately the boat changed her course and started moved away. - 12 -
Map incident reports West Africa, May 2015 K; M F; N B; E; H; I; J L; O C; D; G A Approach Robbery Attack Kidnapping Hijack Other - 13 -
3 Indian Ocean After negligible numbers of piracy related incidents in the Indian Ocean region in the last month, pirate activity rebounds in May. Six occurrences were recorded. These have to be categorized as low-impact incidents. Four approaches (incident A, B, D and F) took place. Approach A is of typical type. Regarding incident B it is unclear whether the attackers can be classified as pirates or whether they belong to any coastguard. But due to the fact that five small boats ordered the vessel (ship s type unknown) to change course and that they started to fire shots after the vessel concerned refused to follow their instructions, it can be assumed that this incident is more likely piracy related. Usually, it is a frequent practice that first of all every coastguard/navy tries to establish contacts to the respective vessel via funk-system. Hence, approach B could also be interpreted as a so-called attack. In general, attacks have become rare in the Indian Ocean region. Another unusual development is presented by the incidents D and F. Although it hard to determine whether these incidents are related or not, it has to be taken into account that both are located in the Indian Ocean region, south of India (nearby Sri Lanka). Incidents like these Comments have to be observed. It is a matter of common knowledge that a lot of merchant vessels call Rebound of piracy at the port of Galle. A new founding of piracy Attack in this part of the Indian Ocean could represent a renewed threat of piracy. The two rob- Hot spot: South of India (nearby Sri Lanke) beries (incident C and E) are located in the anchorage areas of Kandla Port (India). Both refer to the typical pattern. The robbers board the respective vessel secretly and try to steal something of value. Furthermore, it is significantly that only the merchant vessel in case F had a security team aboard. This gives cause of concern because at the moment piracy is not fought successfully, but rather suppressed by the Yemeni crisis as well as by the weather conditions. Due to these factors the likelihood of piracy related incidents is diminished but not abolished. A renewed rise has to be expected. Especially, when the pirates recognize that most of the vessels do not deploy VPTs anymore. - 14 -
3.1 Incident reports Indian Ocean, May 2015 A Indian Ocean Date: 09.05.2015 A merchant vessel was approached by 3 skiffs. As the 2228UTC skiffs were approaching, crew members retreated to Posn: 14 57N 055 10E the Citadel. The vessel is now safe. Further information Merchant vessel will follow once obtained. Type of incident Approach B Approx. 15 nm South of Abu Musa, UAE Date: 14.05.2015 A merchant vessel was approached by 5 small boats 0800UTC whilst underway. 5 boats ordered the vessel to change Posn: 25 36N 055 02E her course but upon refusing, shots were fired in her Unknown direction. The vessel and crew are now safe. Further information will follow once obtained. Type of incident Approach C Berth No.5, Kandla Port, India Date: 15.05.2015 Unauthorized persons boarded a berthed product 0300LT tanker during cargo operations. They stole ship s Posn: unknown properties and escaped. Duty crew on routine rounds Product tanker noticed the theft and raised the alarm. Upon investigation, Status of ship: Berthed it was found that the persons gained entry Type of incident anchorage through the forward fire wire and escaped by opening the anchor cover securing bolts and nuts. Small foot prints were visible on forecastle deck. Local agents and PFSO informed. D Indian Ocean Date: 26.05.2015 A vessel was approached by 1 skiff to within 50 meters. 0725UTC Weapons and ladder were sighted with 6 persons Posn: 08 02N 076 57E on board. The skiff approached from the port quarter Unknown and crossed to their starboard quarter at speeds of up to 18 knts. The vessel is now reported as safe. Type of incident Approach - 15 -
E Kandla Port, India Date: 26.05.2015 A product tanker was boarded by 1 robber whilst 2230UTC berthed. 4 men who are suspected as pirates approached Posn: 23 00N 070 13E the tanker in a fast craft, one of the men Product tanker managed to board the vessel and enter the forward Status of ship: Berthed lockers. The on duty crew noticed the robber and Type of incident anchorage raised the alarm. Upon hearing the alarm the robber escaped with ship stores. This incident has been reported to the local authorities. F Indian Ocean Date: 27.05.2015 3 suspicious skiffs were sighted by armed security 2055LT team embarked on vessel. Skiffs altered their course Posn: 06 18N 077 11E and approached the vessel, the security team stood to Merchant vessel and illuminated the area with parachute flares and advised the Master to increase speed and carry out Type of incident Approach evasive maneuvers. After a short period, the skiffs aborted their approach. The radar of the vessel did not identify the presence of the targets, watches were continued and the vessel is reported as safe. - 16 -
Map incident reports Indian Ocean, May 2015 B A C; E D; F Approach Robbery Attack Kidnapping Hijack Other - 17 -
3 Southeast Asia Pirate activity is on the highest level since December 2014. In the reporting period of May, 21 occurrences were recorded. Most of them can be categorized as low-impact incidents. This month, 17 robberies took place. As usual, most of them are located in the broader Singapore Straits area (incidents D, G, H, I, J, Q and U). Without exception all of them are of typical type. The robbers board the respective vessel, try to steal something of value and aim to disappear unnoticed. The same applies to the robberies N and P located near Bangladesh (India). The map below outlines that in the meantime several piracy hot spots can be recognized as established. As in the previous month, incidents occurred not only in the broader Singapore Straits area and near Bangladesh (India), but also nearby Vung Tau (Vietnam) and in the Straits of Malacca. In this month, it is remarkable that the robberies K and R as well as the approach A took place in the Dumai Anchorage of Indonesia. Piracy related incidents have not yet been recorded out of this area. Additionally, the hijacks of the tanker OCEAN ENERGY and the ORIENTAL GLORY have to be Comments taken into account as well. Especially tankers Pirate activity is on the highest are affected by pirate activity. The rate is increasing. Singapore has recently called for level since December 2014 members of the littoral states to increase patrols in the lower portion of the South China Piracy is expanding all over Southeast Asia region Sea in order to combat the growing piracy threat. Hijackings in Southeast Asia are currently occurring approximately twice a month Additional hot spots identified in particular and the pirates seem completely unfazed by regional attempts to stop them so far. Taken as whole the contrary is happening. The total number of piracy encroachments is increasing and the territorial range is expanding. Enhanced awareness shall be paid by all ships operating in this area, especially bulk carrier and tanker, which are still the most common targets of pirates in the Southeast Asia region. - 18 -
4.1 Incident reports Southeast Asia, May 2015 A Dumai Anchorage, Indonesia (Malacca Straits) Date: 01.05.2015 Duty Officer onboard anchored product tanker GOLD- 0410LT EN AVENUE noticed a small boat with 5 persons roaming Posn: 01 43N 101 24E around the vessel. After a while the persons at- Product tanker tempted to board the vessel from the poop deck. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the crew Type of incident Approach alertness, the persons jumped into the water and escaped. Nothing is stolen. B Malacca Straits Date: 02.05.2015 Tanker OCEAN ENERGY was hijacked by 8 armed pirates 2130LT whilst underway from Singapore to Myanmar. Posn: 02 19N 101 40E The pirates took all crew members hostage, damaged Tanker the vessels equipment and hijacked the tanker. They transferred the gasoil cargo into a waiting vessel. Before Type of incident Hijack leaving the vessel the pirates stole cash and crew's personal belongings, they dropped the vessels anchor approximately 13 nm S/SW of Port Dickson, Malaysia. All crew members have been reported safe and the Master was able to inform the vessels owners and is now proceeding back to Singapore. C Malacca Straits Date: 03.05.2015 Three robbers armed with knives boarded berthed 1500LT bulk carrier CS CALVINA. After being spotted by the Posn: 03 47N 98 42E Duty crew on patrol the alarm was raised and the crew Bulk carrier mustered. When approached the robbers threatened Status of ship: Berthed the crew, both watchmen were held and tied up before Type of incident anchorage the robbers fled with stolen ship stores. All crew safe. D Singapore Straits Date: 04.05.2015 While sailing, four men were spotted in the engine 0403LT room of the MARITIME CHAMPION. The alarm was Posn: 01 05N 103 43E raised and the crew mustered. Eventually, a search Bulk carrier was conducted throughout the ship but no trespassers were found on board. No injury to the crew, no damage Type of incident underway to the ship and nothing stolen. - 19 -
E Around 5.3 nm SSW of Pulau Nipah, Indonesia Date: 05.05.2015 While underway, a skiff increased speed and came 0445LT alongside bulk carrier OCEAN RUBY. Alert crew spotted Posn: 01 03N 103 37E the skiff and informed bridge. Master raised alarm, Bulk carrier alerted the crew. 2 robbers with the help of a hook climbed up to the ship's rails but retreated when they Type of incident Approach saw the crew alertness. F Chittagong Outer Anchorage, Bangladesh Date: 05.05.2015 Armed robbers boarded anchored tanker ASHAHDA 1958LT and began arguing with the 2 shore watchmen. Duty Posn: 21 48N 091 42E crew heard raised voices and noticed the robbers attacking Tanker the watchmen. He informed the bridge. A gun shot was heard and the crew immediately ran into the Type of incident anchorage accommodation. Alarm raised, ship's whistle sounded and crew mustered. Seeing alerted crew the robbers jumped overboard and escaped. Attempts to contact the port control was unsuccessful. Upon investigation, it was found that the robbers took both the watchmen as hostage, tied them up and escaped with ship's stores. G Singapore Straits Date: 06.05.2015 While at anchor, unauthorized persons boarded general 1730LT cargo ship SAGA JOURNEY engaged in bunkering Posn: 01 17N 104 01E and replenishment of ship stores. They stole ship s General cargo property and fled unnoticed. Upon investigation it was determined that engine spares were stolen. Type of incident anchorage H Approx. 6,46 nm South of Pulau Nipa Date: 08.05.2015 While sailing, seven men were spotted in the engine 0355LT room of the ALPHA. In response, the alarm was raised Posn: 01 02N 103 39E and the crew mustered. Eventually, a search was conducted LPG tanker throughout the ship but no trespassers were found on board. No injury to the crew, no damage to Type of incident underway the ship and nothing stolen. - 20 -
I Singapore Straits Date: 09.05.2015 2 robbers armed with long knives boarded bulk carrier 0140LT TIGER WEST underway. Duty crew noticed robbers and Posn: 01 10N 103 50E raised the alarm. All crew members mustered in the Bulk carrier citadel except the bridge team. They advised the ship to continue sailing at slow speed. While waiting for the Type of incident underway Singapore Navy to approach the ship, the crew thoroughly searched the ship and found no robbers onboard and nothing stolen. J Singapore Straits Date: 09.05.2015 While sailing, five men were spotted in the engine unknown room of bulk carrier MILOS WARRIOR. In response, the Posn: 01 05N 103 42E alarm was raised and the crew mustered. Eventually, a Bulk carrier search was conducted throughout the ship but no trespassers were found on board. No injury to the Type of incident underway crew, no damage to the ship and nothing stolen. K Dumai Tanker Anchorage, Indonesia (Malacca Straits) Date: 10.05.2015 During watch changeover, the deck watch keeper 0415LT onboard anchored chemical tanker OVERSEAS ATHENS Posn: 01 42N 101 28E noticed 2 robbers trying to gain access into the engine Chemical tanker room by opening the butterfly nuts of the skylight. The Officer Of Watch (OOW) informed and alarm raised. Type of incident anchorage Seeing the alerted crew the robbers jumped overboard and escaped. A search was carried out and ship's in the vicinity informed. L Around 6,5 nm South of Vung Tau, Vietnam Date: 11.05.2015 Robbers in a fishing boat came alongside and boarded 1230LT anchored bulk carrier NORD SEOUL with a hook attached Posn: 10 13N 107 04E with rope. They broke 2 padlocks of the deck Bulk carrier stores and stole ship's stores and escaped. Alarm raised and crew made a thorough search and found Type of incident anchorage several footprints on the deck. Incident reported to port control. - 21 -
M off Labuan, northern Kalimantan, Malaysia Date: 15.05.2015 More than 10 pirates wearing masks, armed with a 0600LT pistol, knives and axe in two big fishing boats and four Posn: 03 35N 110 35E small boats approached and boarded product tanker Product tanker ORIENTAL GLORY underway. They took hostage all crew members, damaged the ship s equipment and Type of incident Hijack hijacked the tanker. They transferred the oil cargo into another vessel, stole crew personnel belongings and escaped on 16.05.2015. All crew safe. The tanker managed to sail to a safe port. The Malaysian Authorities boarded the tanker for investigation. N Around 7 nm West of Kutubdia Island, Bangladesh Date: 16.05.2015 Robbers boarded anchored bulk carrier WADI AL- 0001LT BOSTAN, stole ship's properties and stores and escaped. Posn: 21 46N 091 42E Duty crew on routine rounds noticed the theft Bulk carrier and raised the alarm. Incident reported to Port Control and Coast Guard. Type of incident anchorage O Around 158 nm SE of Vung Tau, Vietnam Date: 16.05.2015 While underway, the chief officer onboard heavy lift 0525LT cargo ship BBC MOONSTONE detected some suspicious Posn: 08 19N 108 51E noises near the aft of the ship. He immediately Cargo ship switched on the deck lights, sent the duty crew to investigate and informed the Master. As the duty crew Type of incident underway approached the aft, he noticed a boat moving away from the stern of the ship. Upon investigation, it was found that the padlocks to all the ship s stores and engine room entrance were missing and ship s properties stolen. P Chittagong Outer Anchorage, Bangladesh Date: 17.05.2015 3 robbers armed with long knives boarded anchored 0240LT general cargo ship BBC SEINE using a hook attached Posn: 22 12N 091 43E with rope. Duty crew noticed robbers and raised the General cargo alarm, sounded ship's whistle, directed search lights towards forecastle and crew mustered. Seeing the Type of incident anchorage crew alertness, robbers escaped empty handed in their boat. Port Control and Coast Guard informed. A coast guard boat came for assistance and investigation. - 22 -
Q Around 4 nm SW of Pulau Nipah, Indonesia Date: 18.05.2015 Duty oiler on routine rounds onboard a tanker underway 0630LT noticed four robbers in the steering room. He Posn: 01 05N 103 36E immediately informed the first engineer who raised Tanker the alarm. Master notified VTIS Singapore. Bridge look out saw the four robbers escaping in their boat. Upon Type of incident underway investigation, it was found that the robbers gained access to the engine room via the hatch cover of the CO2 bottle room and later escaped through the steering room with ship s property and generator spares. R Dumai Anchorage, Indonesia Date: 20.05.2015 Robbers boarded anchored product tanker MAERSK 0630LT TACOMA unnoticed. They broke the padlock of door Posn: 01 43N 101 29E but nothing was reported stolen. The master informed Product tanker the Company Security Officer (CSO) of the security breach. Type of incident S anchorage Batangas Anchorage, Philippines Date: 20.05.2015 3 robbers in an unlit boat boarded anchored product 0001LT tanker STI RUBY using a hook attached with rope while Posn: 13 44N 121 02E the crew were busy with pilot arrangements and Product tanker berthing procedures. Robbers broke into the bosun store and stole ship's properties. The duty officer on Type of incident anchorage the bridge noticed the robbers and raised the alarm. Upon hearing the alarm and seeing the crew alertness, the robbers jumped overboard and escaped with the stolen items in their boat. VTMS Batangas and Coast Guard were informed. - 23 -
T Vung Tau Roads, Vietnam Date: 22.05.2015 Duty Bosun on routine rounds onboard anchored container 0630LT ship BALSA noticed the forward paint locker Posn: 10 11N 107 03E broken into. Upon checking, he found traces of foot Container prints visible on the deck and ship's stores stolen from the paint locker. Incident reported to the local agents Type of incident anchorage and Company Security Officer (CSO). On berthing, an immigration officer boarded the ship and inspected the paint locker and took some photos. U Around 5 nm South of Pulau Nipah, Indonesia Date: 23.05.2015 4 robbers boarded container ship MTT TAWAU underway. 0330LT Crew spotted them near the deck and alerted the Posn: 01 02N 103 39E other crew members. Seeing alerted crew the robbers Container escaped in their speed boat. A search was carried out. Nothing stolen. Type of incident underway - 24 -
Map incident reports Southeast Asia, May 2015 F; N; P L; O; T; A; E D; G; H; I; J; Q; U C; K; R M B Approach Robbery Attack Kidnapping Hijack Other Remark: incident S is outside the map. - 25 -