Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
Date: 13th May 2020Series 14/Issue 228
Weekly Security & Risk Report
2MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com
This report is copyright of Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST) © 2020. All rights reserved.
This report is intended to provide general information about maritime intelligence topics but does not provide individual advice and the creators assume no liability for the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of any information contained herein, or though links you will find in it. Furthermore, using this report or sending MAST emails does not create a service provider- client relation-ship. It is intended only as an introduction to ideas and concepts only. It should not be treated as a definitive guide, nor should it be considered to cover every area of concern or regarded as an advice.
If you copy from this report, you have to refer to Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST) Ltd as the source of the copied material. You may not, except with our express written permission, commercially exploit the content.
Maritime
Counter piracy
ISPS services
Training
K&R and Ship Arrest
Risk Consulting
Due Diligence
Risk management
Crisis management
Training
Technical Yacht Security
System Design, Installation and Maintenance
Technical Consultancy
Cyber Risk Consultancy
TSCM Sweeping Services
Physical and Asset Protection
Close Protection
Residential Security
Security Chauffeurs
Events and Clubs
Training
“Making the world a safer place to live and work”
MAST ServicesMAST has the experience, capability and global presence to provide comprehensive
support to our clients.
3
The Security and Risk Report Series focuses on:
• Operational risks in areas of instability which could affect the safety of commercial and private vessels and personnel ashore and at sea.
• In country reporting on key countries where civil conflict are directly impacting on maritime operations; and
• Reporting and analysis of incidents of terrorism, piracy and other related criminal activity. MAST has a global reach and presence, delivering first hand, accurate and exclusive intelligence. MAST is entrenched and committed in continuing to supportand promote the awareness of the very real risks thatseafarers and other stakeholders face. This Intelligence Report Series is a brief snapshot ofMAST’s Intelligence capabilities. MAST Intelligencespecialises in providing clients with a suite of products and services, including; political and economic risk analysis, de-tailed port and vessel security briefs, vessel passage plans, threat and risk mitigation and travel risk management. Working closely in conjunction with a host of experts,MAST Intelligence offers a market leading service pertain-ing to all maritime affairs.
Follow MAST on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep abreast with these insightful weekly reports and more — including real time security updates.
Editor: David Riderwww.mast-security.com
Issue 228
Contents:
Mast Services
Indian Ocean region
Somalia
Yemen
Mediterranean
Libya
Gulf of Guinea
South East Asia
Central & South America
Severe Weather Warnings
Page
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13th May 2020
24/7 Emergency Telephone+44 (0) 1202 045 833 (Maritime)
MAST UK+44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected]
Issue 228 of the series reviews, analyses and threat assesses the fragile and conflict affected coastal states Libya, Somalia and Yemen. The Mediterranean migrant crisis, incidents affecting maritime security and influencing maritime news are also report-ed and analysed, focusing on the keys theatres of maritime instability.
Coronavirus Port and Terminal RestrictionsThe situation remains extremely fluid. For the most recent updates on closures and re-openings, MAST Security recommends using the Wilhemsen Covid-19 Global Port Restrictions Map. Please Click Here to visit their site.
4MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com
Hijack
Kidnap
Approach/Attack
Suspicious Activity Theft
Incidents: Nothing significant to report.
US commitment to Gulf allies’ security ‘not at all changed’Washington’s commitment to the security of its Gulf allies is unchanged despite what appears to be a shift in force posture in the region, U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook told CNBC. The comments come on the back of news that the Pentagon is removing two Patriot anti-missile batteries from Saudi Arabia along with a number of military personnel, de-ployed last year in the wake of attacks in the region that Ri-yadh and Washington blame on Iran.
Iran reports failed cyber-attack on Strait of Hormuz portIranian officials said on Sunday 10th that hackers damaged a small number of computers in a failed cyber-attack against the port of Bandar Abbas, the country’s largest port in the Strait of Hormuz. “A recent cyber attack failed to penetrate the PMO’s systems and was only able to infiltrate and dam-age a number of private operating systems at the port,” said on Sunday Mohammad Rastad, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development, according to Ilna News and the Fars News Agency.
Operation Copper extension to cost R154 millionThe extension of the Operation Copper maritime patrol mis-sion in the Mozambique Channel for another year will cost the South African National Defence Force R154 million. This is ac-cording to a letter from President Cyril Ramaphosa informing the National Assembly of the extension of Operation Copper, from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021.
Indian Navy ship reaches Male to evacuate stranded citizensIndian Navy’s INA Jalashwa entered Male port in Maldives on
Thursday morning for evacuating Indian nationals as part of Samudra Setu programme. The ship will leave for Kochi from Maldives on Friday carrying nearly 1,000 Indian nationals on-board who were left stranded due to lockdown imposed to contain the deadly coronavirus COVID-19.
Pakistan Navy, Anti-Narcotics Force, seize drugs in joint opPakistan Navy and An ti-Narcotics Force, in an intelligence-based joint operation, seized 100kg of crystal methampheta-mine off Pasni, Balochistan, ac cording to the officials. A press release issued by Pakistan Navy on Fri day 8th said the drug was val ued at approximately Rs 3 billion.
Mozambique seeks to close state companies behind debt scandalMozambican state prosecutors have applied to a court to close three state companies at the heart of a debt scandal that triggered a currency collapse and sovereign debt de-fault, the prosecutors’ office told Reuters. Proindicus, Ematum and Mozambique Asset Management borrowed money from banks including Russia’s VTB and Credit Suisse for a $2 bil-lion project spanning tuna fishing and maritime security that U.S. authorities say was an elaborate front for a bribery and kickback scheme.
To see MAST’s services in the Indian Ocean Region, please click here.
Indian Ocean Region Nineteen sailors have been killed and 15 others wounded in a “friendly fire” incident involving two Iranian naval vessels, the navy has said. Iranian state media reported that a new anti-ship missile being tested by the frigate Jamaran hit the light support ship Konarak on Sunday 10th in the Gulf of Oman. The accident happened during a training exercise near the Strait of Hormuz. The “Ko-narak vessel was struck with a missile yesterday [Sunday] afternoon during a military exercise in the waters of Bandar-e Jask” off Iran’s south coast, state TV said on its website.
5
Control of Somali territory (March 2017) Source: Wikimedia Commons
AnalysisAl Shabaab continues to mount operations throughout the coun-try, despite efforts by US Central Command to degrade its capa-bilities with ongoing airstrikes which aim to remove AS leader-ship. It is questionable as to whether this “body count” policy is working. Threat AssessmentThe political situation has seen increased tension between re-gional states and the Federal Government. Should this continue, there is an opportunity for criminal organisations to return to their previous maritime activities. Al Shabaab continues to challenege the government and efforts to disrupt its operations continue, although AMISOM forces will withdraw some time in 2019. The trade in illegal charcoal by terror and crime groups continues, al-though the Combined Maritime Forces and UN are working on measures to prevent it. Youth unemployment in Somalia has not improved with 67% of Somali male youths aged between 14 to 29 unemployed. Pirate financiers offer lucrative and attractive op-portunities, and were seen to be increasingly active in the last inter-monsoon period. Recent incidents off Somalia have high-lighted the robust protections offered by both BMP5 and well trained, vigilant armed protection teams. Illegal fishing has re-turned to the region and there are wider political concerns that it could spark a resurgence in maritime crime unless checked. There is a risk that complacency in some quarters has seen a reduction in PMSC presence in these waters that could result in a piracy success. A lack of adherence to BMP5 protocol, particu-larly not maintaining a safe distance off the coast, has increased risks to shipping. Merchant vessels would be wise to maintain the same distance from the coast, particularly ensuring that the Socotra Gap isn’t taken. All vessels are advised to update risk as-sessments and register with UKMTO/MSCHOA prior to entering the Indian Ocean High Risk Area (HRA).
MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com
Under control of Al Shabaab and allies Under control of neutral forces Under control of Government and allies Somaliland Government Territory disputed by Puntland and Somaliland
SomaliaAn Italian aid worker, who was abducted in Kenya in November 2018, has been flown back to her home country. Silvia Romano, 25, embraced her parents and sister, and was greeted by Italy’s prime minister and foreign minister after she landed in Rome. She was freed from suspected Islamist group Al Shabaab near Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Saturday 9th, reports say.
Lamu residents call for enforcement of Kenya-Somalia bor-der closureThere are concerns that neither Kenya nor Somalia is effec-tively enforcing the ban on cross-border trade between the two countries, a situation many fear will result in a Covid-19 outbreak in Lamu county. Lamu borders Somalia in the north-ern part of Kenya. It has been established that miraa traders and fishermen from Kenya continue to engage in business with their counterparts in Somalia without undergoing the necessary checks for Covid-19. This is despite the obvious risk of contracting and spreading the disease.
Al Shabaab Shells Mogadishu AirportAl Shabaab has shelled the Somalia capital airport at around sunset Saturday 9th. According to the reports, three to four mortar shells landed inside the Adan Adde International air-port which lies in the same area as the AU’s AMISOM Halane base camp. No casualties were reported by either side.
Government Accused of Misappropriating US$ 2.6 Millon Earmarked for Flood VictimsThe government of Somalia has been sucked into a suspected scandal which could test its integrity, with preliminary reports indicating that $2.6 million meant for mitigation of Beledw-eyne floods can’t be traced. Last year, the River Shabelle broke its banks causing floods at the Hiran region, which left over 60,000 people displaced and dozens dead. It was one of the worst floods within Somalia in as many years,.
Ethiopian troops admit downing Kenyan planeIt has emerged that the private cargo plane that killed five people in Berdale town, Somalia on Monday 4th, was shot down by Ethiopian troops. In a statement written to the African Union (AU) by the Ethiopian Army, the troops admitted down-ing the aircraft due to lack of communication and suspicion. In the statement, the Sector III Force Commander of the Amisom defended the troops adding that it is lack of proper commu-nication with the ground troops that led to the shooting down of the plane.
Al Shabaab attacks SNA forces in Lower ShabellePro-al Shabaab media outlet Somalimemo reported clashes between Al Shabaab and Somali National Army (SNA) forces in Afgoi district in Lower Shabelle in southeastern Somalia on May 6th.
AMISOM ops continue amid pandemicThe African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) released a statement reiterating its commitment to its mission in Somalia during the COVID-19 pandemic. AMISOM claimed that it has implemented preventative measures to contain the virus. An AMISOM hospital successfully treated its first COVID-19 pa-tient in March.
6
Control of Yemen territory (July 28th 2019)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Houthi
Pro Hadi Government Forces
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com
Controlled by Southern Transitional Council
YemenThe head of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council urged the EU on Saturday 9th to take ac-tion on a political solution in Yemen, according to the Saba News Agency. Mahdi al-Mashat, in a telegram sent to the President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, said the Hou-this welcomed the call of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths to end the war there, said the agency.
Yemen govt says separatists refused to de-escalate situation in southYemen’s government forces will confront an “armed rebellion” by separatists in the south, the government said on Tuesday 12th, adding that the group had refused to de-escalate the situation after declaring self-rule last month. Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hadhrami said the STC had refused calls from the government and the international community to reverse its declaration. The army will do “everything necessary to pre-serve the state, its institutions, and the safety of its citizens against (the STC),” he added.
Yemen declares Aden an ‘infested’ city as coronavirus spreadsYemeni authorities declared Aden, interim seat of the Saudi-backed government, an “infested” city on Monday 11th after the number of coronavirus cases there jumped and clashes erupted elsewhere in the south between separatists and gov-ernment forces. The World Health Organization (WHO) says there is a full-blown transmission of the virus in Yemen, with the disease spreading undetected among a population with some of the lowest levels of immunity to disease compared with other states.
WHO Suspends Operations in Much of YemenThe World Health Organization has suspended its operations in the main Houthi-held areas of Yemen to pressure the rebel group to be more open about suspected coronavirus cases. The Yemeni government reports 51 COVID-19 cases and eight deaths in the parts of Yemen it controls. But the WHO suspects the Houthis of withholding information about the coronavirus toll in places it controls, including the capital and other big cit-ies, VOA reported on May 10th.
50 die in Yemen from mosquito-borne diseaseFifty people lost their lives in Yemen’s temporary capital of Aden due to the chikungunya fever, according to an anony-mous government official late Saturday 9th. More than 3,000 people were infected, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Anadolu Agency.
Top Houthi leader killed amid fierce battlesA prominent Houthi rebel commander was killed on Thursday 7th amid fierce clashes in central Yemen, according to local sources. Mohamed Abdel Karim al-Hamran, who commanded special forces in Marib and Bayda provinces, was buried in the capital Sana’a, according to the SANA news agency.
Saudi Arabia withdraws its troops from Yemen’s SocotraSaudi Arabia has abruptly withdrawn its forces from the Yem-eni island of Socotra just two days after taking control of the local authority’s headquarters in the capital Hadibu, which had itself been under attack from UAE-backed militia aligned with the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC). Clashes had intensified in recent days, including reports of Saudi air strikes against military bases used by the STC. There were also re-ports of Saudi reinforcements arriving on the island to provide support to militias associated with the Islah Party who fight on behalf of the Saudi-based Yemeni government.
Houthis continue offensiveAl Houthi militants reportedly launched multiple attacks on Hadi government forces in al Saleh city and Hays district in al Hudaydah governorate in western Yemen on May 8th. Hadi government forces previously reported repelling al Houthi at-tacks in Hays district on May 7th.
Concern over Hadi’s health Sources close to exiled Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi leaked news about his deteriorating health on Thursday 7th after reports emerged that he was hospitalised following a heart attack in the Saudi capital Riyadh where he has been residing since he fled the country five years ago.
To see the latest threat analysis and Yemen port information in MASTOPDEIA, please click here.
MAST recommends BMP measures be enforced and watches strengthened during transits in the region.
7
Migrant crossings 2017-2020. Source: UNHRC
MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com
Migrant statistics in the Mediterranean (Figures last updated on May 5th 2020). Source: UNHCR
Mediterranean U.N. agencies are warning migrants and refugees crossing the central Mediterranean Sea risk losing their lives if European nations continue to prevent search and rescue vessels from saving those in distress. The U.N. human rights office expressed alarm at recent reports of rescue boats failing to assist migrants in trouble on the central Mediterranean Sea, considered to be one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.
Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece and UAE condemn Turkey’s actions in eastern MediterraneanCyprus, Egypt, France, Greece and the UAE have con-demned Turkey’s “illegal activities” and expansionism in pur-suing natural gas in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone. In a teleconference on Monday 11th, foreign ministers from the five countries discussed the recent developments in the eastern Mediterranean.
Malta Pulls Out of New EU Libya Sea Patrols in Migration RowMalta told its European Union partners on Friday 8th it would no longer take part in a new Mediterranean mission to stop more arms reach warring factions in Libya, just four days af-ter the naval and air operation began patrols. A Maltese gov-ernment spokesman and two EU diplomats told Reuters the decision was in protest at what Valetta said was an EU fail-ure to help deal with migrants arriving from Libya, where the conflict has escalated sharply since April.
Italy impounds migrant rescue ships; charities claim har-assmentItalian coastguards have seized two charity rescue boats at the port of Palermo citing “technical and operational” irregu-larities, which the owners called an excuse to hinder mis-sions to save the lives of migrants at sea. The seizure of the German-flagged Alan Kurdi and Spanish-flagged Aita Mari this week followed a sharp rise in the number of migrants reaching Italy, which has angered and embarrassed the gov-ernment as it battles the coronavirus epidemic, Reuters re-ported.
The current migrant smuggling situation
No updated figures from UNHCR this week, once again demon-strating the difficulties faced by humanitarian agencies during the twin threats of conflict in Libya and the novel coronavirus pan-demc. Moves by Italy to impound NGO rescue vessels will cer-tainly compound the probems and present a significant threat to safety at sea for migrants. Malta’s political move this week to withdraw from the EU effort to prevent arms smuggling in the Mediterranean is an example of how states who face the migrant influx are forced to adopt uncomfortable political positions in an effort to sway the EU politcally. Whether the EU will move to as-sist Malta is at this stage unknown, although their absence is un-likely to significantly impact operations at sea.
8
Control of Northern Libyan territory (Jan. 8th 2020)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Controlled by the Tobruk led government
Controlled by the Government of National Accord
Controlled by ISIS
Controlled by local forces
Controlled by Tuareg forces
MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com
LibyaHundreds of mercenaries from Russia’s shadowy Wagner Group are operating in Libya, a leaked UN report says. They have been supporting renegade general Khalifa Haftar’s battle against the Tripoli-based government, it says. The report was compiled by independent monitors for the UN’s Libya sanctions committee. It has not been made public yet but it has been seen by news agencies. It is the first time the UN has confirmed reports of Wagner’s involvement in Libya, put-ting the number of operatives at between 800 and 1,000.
HoR: No further dialogue until defeat is finalized In an address to the United Nations Secretary-General, Anto-nio Guterres, the Tripoli-based House of Representatives (HoR) stated that any call for dialogue, prior to the end of military operations would not be forthcoming. In a statement, the HoR added that it would not accept any dialogue in which Haftar is a participant in the next stage, or the political future in general, calling on Guterres to implement his authority and perform his duty as dictated by law, Libyan media reported on May 11th.
GNA launches counterattack after deadly rocket barrageLibya’s UN-supported government launched a counterattack on Sunday 10th against a strategic military base used by ren-egade commander Khalifa Haftar to pound the capital Tripoli with rocket fire. The response came after a missile barrage damaged Tripoli’s main airport and set fuel tanks and several aircraft ablaze, with at least six civilians killed in surrounding residential areas in the attacks on Saturday.
Morocco turns down UAE offer to support HaftarKing Mohammed VI of Morocco has turned down a deal from Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed to support Lib-yan warlord Khalifa Haftar in exchange for oil and investment projects, according to media reports. The Moroccan website “Al-Ayyam 24” quoted an Emirati intelligence officer as saying that Mohammed bin Zayed offered to provide Morocco with Libyan oil at a special price and to enable Moroccan compa-nies to obtain projects in Libya, according to a report in the Libya Observer on May 11th.
Libya’s intelligence chief dies of heart attackLibyan intelligence chief Abdul Qader al-Tuhami died of a heart attack at his home in the capital Tripoli on Sunday 10th, according to a local security source. The Libyan government has yet to confirm al-Tuhami’s death. Al-Tuhami had served as an officer in the external security service under late ruler Mua-mmar Gaddafi.
Reports of civilian plane hit at Mitiga airportA rocket attack was carried out on Mitiga International Airport
in the capital, Tripoli. on May 9th. It is understood that two ci-vilian planes were damaged as a result. Social media reports said Libyan Arab Airlines Airbus A320 (5A-LAQ) and A330-200 (5A-LAU) were seriously damaged by a mortar attack of the Libyan National Army. Both aircraft were stored inactive at the time.
Haftar militia members surrender at key airbaseSix members of a militia loyal to Libyan renegade commander Khalifa Haftar surrendered to the Libyan Army on Friday 8th at Al-Watiya airbase, according to the media center of the government’s Operation Volcano of Rage. Al-Watiya, located southwest of the capital Tripoli, is regarded as a key airbase in the country and is second only to Mitiga International Airport.
Oil exports fetch USD 1.4 billion in LibyaLibya saw LYD 1.98 billion in oil export revenues year-to-date through April, an amount equivalent to roughly USD 1.4 billion, African news outlet Panapress reported quoting official Cen-tral Bank of Libya numbers. Libya is an Arab country located in the African continent. Libya’s National Oil Company (NOC) recently said that a blockade of oil-producing areas as a result of fighting since January has trimmed daily oil output down to between 92,000 and 72,000 barrels per day, from a prior 1.2 million bpd.
Libya’s Sarraj: EU mission favors warlord HaftarThe head of Libya’s government said he believes that the European Union’s new military mission in the Mediterranean favors the rebel forces headed by warlord Khalifa Haftar, An-adolu reports. In an interview with Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera published on Thursday 7th, Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj said that the main aim of Operation Irini – approved last month by EU member states – is aimed at enforcing the UN arms embargo on Libya, stemming the foreign transfer of arms and military aid to the area.
To read MAST’s Libyan Country report on MASTOPEDIA, please click here.
9
4°30’
5°00’
4°00’
3°30’
7°00’6°30’ 7°30’5°00’ 5°30’ 6°00’ 8°00’4°30’
6°00’
5°30’
3°30’ 4°00’
Hijack
MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com
3
2
Kidnap
Approach/Attack
Suspicious Activity
Theft
1
Gulf of GuineaTwo crewmembers have been kidnapped from a general cargo vessel off Equatorial Guinea in the Gulf of Guinea. The incident occurred two nautical miles from Malabo on May 9th. The pirates reportedly used ladders to board the Rio Mitong from a speedboat. A Russian and a Ukrainian are believed to have been kidnapped, Maritime Executive reported. April and May have seen an increase in attacks against merchant vessels operating in the region, despite the pandemic and associated lockdowns in the region.
Incidents: 1, Comoros-flagged general cargo ship boarded at 0200 UTC in position 03:47N - 008:45E, Malabo Anchorage, Equatorial Guinea. Two crew reported abducted. Awaiting confirmation. Reported (MDAT/Source) 9th May. 2. Equatorial Guinea-flagged research ship reported boarded by unauthorised persons at 0200 UTC in position 03:28.03N - 008:33.12E, Luba Anchorage, Equatorial Guinea. Reported (MDAT/Source) 9th May.
3. Late Report: Whilst at anchor, MV approached by wooden boat w/ 6 POB at 0100 UTC in position 04:54.10N - 001:42.51W, Takoradi Anchorage, Ghana. Perpetrators attempted to board but failed. Alarm raised and the boat departed for another nearby vessel. The boat returned 10 minutes later but was in-tercepted by patrol boat send by Takoradi port authorities and arrested. Reported (MDAT) 30 Apr.
Nigerian maritime workers threaten shutdown of all seaportsSeaports in Nigeria may be shutdown on Wednesday 13th, as dockworkers have threatened to embark on a strike in protest of arrest and detention of dock workers in Rivers State by Gov-ernor Nyesom Wike. The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Monday issued 48 hours ultimatum to shut down operation over arrest of 20 dockworkers by the governor, who has refused to free the maritime workers for violating the state’s Covid-19 lockdown in the state.
Piracy: Nigeria loses $1.5bn monthly – IMBNigeria is losing an average of 400,000 barrels amounting to $1.5billion monthly to the activities of sea pirates according the latest study of the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). Ac-cording to the IMB, the loss represents almost 5 per cent of the
country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), even as it listed the Gulf of Guinea as the most dangerous piracy zone for oil com-panies, with huge record of attacks in recent years.
Nigeria’s anti-piracy law misses the markNigeria’s June 2019 law on piracy and other maritime offences is an important step in securing the country’s coastline and seas. But the legislation fails to account for the links between piracy and other crimes, especially at the transnational level. Since the act was passed however, maritime crime has con-tinued unabated. According to The Economist, piracy in the re-gion is ‘primarily a Nigerian problem’ because pirates operate mostly ‘out of the labyrinthine waterways in the Niger Delta.’
Nigeria awaits sharp downturn from oil price crash, produc-tion cuts to intensifyNigeria’s economy is bracing for a dramatic slump as the fall-out from the oil price crash and the coronavirus pandemic will be devastating for its oil and natural gas industry. Africa’s larg-est oil producer has already had to cut back production as it faced up to the double whammy of a lack of buyers and stor-age facilities even as oil prices briefly recovered over $30/b after they hit 21-year lows in April.
To see MAST Services in the region, please click here. And and to read Nigeria’s country report, please click here.
10MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com
Hijack
Kidnap
Approach/Attack
Suspicious Activity
Theft
South East AsiaThe Malaysia-Philippines’ co-operation contributes in efforts to tackle cross-border crime threats such as the kidnap for ransom (KFR) by the Abu Sayyaf Group and its network from southern Phil-ippines on the east coast waters of Sabah, Malaysia. Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) commander Datuk Hazani Ghazali said sharing of intelligence information with the Philippines enabled monitoring of KFR elements for interception at sea. “From January to April, ESSZone security forces foiled two KFR attempts targeting the fishing community,” he told Bernama.
Incidents: Nothing significant to report.
Japan Protests China Coast Guard Harassment of Fishing Vessel Near Senkaku IslandsThe Japanese government has filed protest with China after a fishing boat in the waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea was harassed by a China Coast Guard vessel last week, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Monday 11th. According to Suga, the Chinese vessel pursued a Japanese fishing boat near the East China Sea islets, which are administered by Japan, but claimed by China as the Diaoyu Islands.
Malaysia receives first batch of six ScanEagle UAVs from USThe Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has received six ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) under a US-sponsored capa-bility building initiative. The units are part of 12 units pledged to Putrajaya under the Maritime Security Initiative (MSI) pro-gramme, which was first announced by then US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter at the 2015 iteration of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Tackling Abu Sayyaf: Need to Rethink StrategiesAs demonstrated by its past and recent activities, the ASG is operating not only in the Philippines but also in the tri-border areas of Southeast Asia covering the Sulu Sea, Sabah and Sulawesi Sea. There is currently the Trilateral Cooperation Ar-rangement among the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia on patrolling their shared maritime borders against piracy, terror-ism and kidnapping. There is, however, a need to level up the existing arrangement as it is not fully deterring the ASG from conducting its usual illegal activities even during the pandem-ic, Eurasia Review wrote on May 10th.
Troops seize Abu Sayyaf’s arms cacheIn a joint operation, Marines and police have recovered an arms cache and a communication equipment from a sus-pected supporter of the Abu Sayyaf in a remote island in the province of Tawi-Tawi, military officials said Friday 8th. Colo-nel Arturo Rojas, Second Marine Brigade commander, said the arms cache was recovered Thursday 7th, at the residence of Johan Sapanta in Sitio Saluag in Datu Baguinda Puti village, Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi.
Three new names added to Esscom Most Wanted listSecurity forces in Sabah has added three new names into the Eastern Sabah Security Command’s (Esscom) wanted list. These three are Mamay Aburi, Basaron Arok and Alvin Yusof. They are suspects linked to the kidnap for ransom groups, said Esscom commander Datuk Hazani Ghazali. Mamay is the chief of a Zamboanga group involved in the shooting of Customs officials in Lahad Datu on Dec. 20th last year.
Beijing’s South China Sea fishing ban threatens to raise ten-sionsTensions are expected to rise in the South China Sea after Bei-jing’s annual summer ban on fishing in the disputed waters drew protests from rival claimants. China said it would prohibit fishing activities in the waters Beijing has claimed above the 12th parallel ― including areas near the Scarborough Shoal, the Paracel Islands, and the Gulf of Tonkin ― to conserve stocks. The ban, which came into effect from noon on May 1st runs until August 16th and China’s coastguard has promised to take the “strictest measures” to stop any “illegal fishing activities.”
To see MAST’s services in the region, please click here.
11MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com
Hijack
Kidnap
Approach/Attack
Suspicious Activity
Theft
Central and South America Nothing significant to report.
Incidents: Nothing significant to report.
Standing advice: The repercussions of a vessel being caught acting as a mule with drugs stowed will depend on the type, amount and na-tional laws, but may be disruptive and costly. When and if operating in these areas, especially Columbia and Peru, it is advised that: • Potential stowage areas such as rudder shafts are denied as far as possible, and/or routinely searched. • Access points are closely monitored by a vigilant watch for the duration of the vessel’s call at port.
12
Note: The forecasts are correct as of the day before publication. For latest updates please follow the provided links.
MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com
Western North Pacific Ocean and South China Sea
Severe Weather Warnings Warnings detailed on this page are from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and are issued by respective Regional Specialised Metrological Centres, Tropical Cyclone Centres or Na-tional Meteorological Services. For further information on severe weather warnings please click here.
