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Date: 29th July 2020Series 15/Issue 239
Weekly Security & Risk Report
2MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com
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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.
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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 239
Contents:
Mast Services
Indian Ocean region
Somalia
Yemen
Mediterranean
Libya
Gulf of Guinea
South East Asia
Central & South America
Severe Weather Warnings
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29th July 2020
24/7 Emergency Telephone+44 (0) 1202 045 833 (Maritime)
MAST UK+44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected]
Issue 239 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
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Suspicious Activity Theft
Incidents: Nothing significant to report.
Kenya Planning National Maritime Security StrategyKenya is working to create a National Maritime Security Strat-egy aiming to bring opportunities for social-economic growth, by safeguarding and promoting the blue economy and by providing a safe and secure operating environment for inter-national maritime transportation. The roadmap to develop the strategy was agreed following an inaugural virtual meeting (21st July) organized by the International Maritime Organiza-tion (IMO) and attended by 16 participants, representing mari-time stakeholders from all relevant ministries and agencies of Kenya.
Tehran moves mock US aircraft carrier to Strait of Hormuz in possible military exercisesIran has moved a mock US aircraft carrier to the Strait of Hor-muz amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washing-ton, satellite images released on Monday showed, signaling the likelihood of a live-fire exercise being planned by the Is-lamic Republic, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Mon-day 27th. The ship is a replica of the USS Nimitz, a nuclear-powered multipurpose aircraft carrier used by the US Navy in the Persian Gulf.
India To Buy Six More P-8I Aircraft From US To Boost Navy’s CapabilitiesIn a major move to bolster the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces, India has started the process to acquire six more long-range Poseidon-8I (P-8I) aircraft from the United States at a cost of around $1.8 billion, reports Times of India. Built by US-based aerospace giant Boeing, India already has eight of the P-8I aircraft which are actively being used for surveillance mis-
sions over the Indian Ocean.
Indian Navy offers assistance to strengthen Sri Lanka NavyChief of the Naval Staff of India, Admiral Karambir Singh tel-ephoned Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne and congratu-lated him on being appointed as the 24th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy. Further, Chief of the Naval Staff of India stated that the relationship between two navies will continue to grow strong and reiterated that the Indian Navy stands ready to pro-vide any assistance to strengthen Sri Lanka Navy’s capabilities.
Launch Event of the State of Maritime Piracy 2019 hosted by UNODC’s Global maritime Crime Programme and Stable SeasOn July 14th, Special Advisor for Industry Relations Mr Simon Church represented EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation Atalanta at a webinar on the State of Maritime Piracy in 2019. Mr Church was accompanied by an Intel representative and Joint Opera-tion Centre Coordinator Lt CDR Diego Canovas Canovas. Sta-ble Seas, a program of One Earth Future, together with UNO-DC’s Global Maritime Crime Programme hosted the webinar on the wake of the latest annual report on maritime piracy launch. The webinar included the presentation of the report and a panel on “What have we learned from 10 years of global counter-piracy efforts?” The attendees included national bod-ies, high representatives of the shipping industry, government representatives, security institutes and academia representa-tives from several universities bodies.
To see MAST’s services in the Indian Ocean Region, please click here.
Indian Ocean Region A Royal Navy crew who found themselves on the frontline during heightened tensions with Iran last year are preparing to return to the Gulf and their Plymouth based warship. One of the UK’s ‘Guardians of the Gulf’, Type 23 Frigate HMS Montrose has been forward deployed to Bahrain – the hub of the Royal Navy’s operations in the regions. Cdr William King, who was captain of HMS Montrose at the time, said the crew had 85 run-ins with Iran in 27 days - which included Iran “run-ning boats in at the frigate at speed”.
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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. The trade in illegal charcoal by terror and crime groups contin-ues, although the Combined Maritime Forces and UN are work-ing 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 attrac-tive opportunities, and were seen to be increasingly active in the last inter-monsoon period. Recent incidents off Somalia have highlighted the robust protections offered by both BMP5 and well trained, vigilant armed protection teams. Illegal fishing has returned 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 almost unanimous vote of no-confidence on Saturday that saw Somalia’s prime minister re-moved from his post has been condemned inside and outside the country. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the move against Hassan Ali Khaire showed “serious disrespect for the constitutional foundations” of Somalia, while the internal security minister called it a “dark day”. Internet access has been cut across much of the country according to NetBlocks, which monitors internet freedom.
Somalia secures 25 mln USD grant to fight COVID-19 The African Development Bank said Monday 27th it has ap-proved grants worth about 25.1 million U.S. dollars to Soma-lia to shore up government efforts to mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lender said the government will use the funds to carry out three interlinked responses to the pan-demic that will enhance the health system, safeguard liveli-hoods and social protection, and support labor force produc-tivity and economic activity.
EU statement on the recent developments in the House of people Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell on the recent developments in the House of people: Somalia is still on a long journey of national recovery to be-come free of insecurity, free of debt and free to vote leaders into power. Until that time, the leaders of the Somali nation bear a special responsibility to ensure that a consensus is achieved and maintained in national politics. Regrettably, the developments in the House of the People of Somalia on Sat-urday represent a setback for Somalia and for the confidence of the European Union in the progress of Somalia. The proce-dures under which a motion of no confidence in the cabinet was passed did not meet minimal constitutional requirements.
US drone strike kills 7 Islamic State fightersOn Thursday 23rd, the United State’s Africa Command (AFRI-COM) in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia,
conducted an airstrike against ISIS terrorists from the Islamic State in Somalia (ISS). The airstrike took place as Somalian Puntland Security Forces (PSF) were conducting an operation in a remote location in the Iskushuban area of the Bari region near Timirshe, Somalia. Timirshe is located 90 miles southeast of Bosasso. “We continue to apply pressure on terrorist groups and assist our Somali partners in disrupting their operations,” BG Miguel Castellanos, AFRICOM’s Deputy Director of Opera-tions, said. “We continue our support to rid Somalia of the likes of ISIS and Al Shabaab.”
Somalia and Somaliland to benefit from new UK support to tackle locustsSomalia is set to benefit from new UK funding to tackle this year’s unprecedented locust outbreaks. The UK’s Interna-tional Development Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, has announced a further £18 million in response to the crisis. She made the announcement during a visit to British company Mi-cron Group, which supplies pesticide sprayers to the United Nation’s Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO).
U.S. Military Strikes ISIS in SomaliaU.S. forces conducted an airstrike against ISIS in Somalia on Tuesday 21st, the U.S. military said. The airstrike happened af-ter the militants attacked partner forces in a remote location near Timirshe in the northeastern part of the country, U.S. Af-rica Command (Africom) said in a news release Wednesday.
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Control of Yemen territory (June 1st 2020)
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
Yemen97 medical workers in Yemen have died of coronavirus, the first reliable estimate to give a glimpse into the pandemic’s impact on the devastated health sector in the war-torn country, a humani-tarian group has said. The report by MedGlobal elies on accounts from Yemeni doctors tracking the deaths of colleagues to gauge the toll of the virus. The 97 dead include infectious disease experts, medical directors, midwives and pharmacists.
Pro-gov’t forces kill 3 Houthis in HodeidahPro-government Yemeni forces on Monday 27th announced killing three members of the Houthi group in the country’s Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. According to a brief press statement released by the pro-government Giants Brigades, “Houthis at-tempted to carry out an armed attack against the military sites in Kilo16 area east of Hodeidah.”
Allow UN to Secure Oil SupertankerHouthi authorities in Yemen should immediately permit United Nations experts access to a supertanker moored off Yemen’s coast that risks spilling over a million barrels of crude oil into the Red Sea, Human Rights Watch said on Monday 27th. The UN says a spill would have catastrophic environmental and humanitarian consequences, including destroying livelihoods and shutting down the port of Hodeida, a lifeline for millions of Yemenis who depend on commercial imports and humanitar-ian aid.
Government, STC reach agreementThe internationally recognized Yemeni government of Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the Transitional Political Council of the South (STC) reportedly reached an agreement to imple-ment the political side of the Riyadh Agreement on July 26. The November 2019 Riyadh Agreement stipulated a power-sharing agreement between Hadi’s government and the STC that included appointing a governor and director of security forces in southern Yemen’s Aden governorate.
Flood in Yemen kills 16 peopleTorrential rains and flooding killed at least 16 people in north-western Yemen in the last 48 hours, local media reported on Sunday 26th, citing residents. Thirteen of the victims were swept away by floods in Hodeidah province, while the other three had drowned in the floods in the adjacent province of Hajjah.
Separatist STC did not return money seized in Hadhramout, AdenA Yemeni government source said southern Yemeni separa-
tists did not return the money they looted in Hadhramout and Aden. The source told Al Jazeera that the Southern Transitional Council (STC) militia had withdrawn tens of billions from Aden banks over the past two months. Earlier this month, a spokes-man for the UAE-backed STC announced that the council’s president had issued directives to hand over the money con-fiscated while on their way to the Central Bank in the tempo-rary capital, Aden.
KSrelief Project (Masam) Dismantles 1,186 MinesKing Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) pro-ject for clearing mines (Masam) in Yemen demined 1,186 mines during the fourth week of July 2020, including 21 antiperson-nel mines, 373 anti-tanks, 788 unexploded ordnance and 4 ex-plosive devices. Since the beginning of the project, as many as 176,310 mines have been dismantled after they had been planted by the Houthi militias.
UN warns of alarming rise of hunger in war-torn YemenAcute food insecurity is forecast to rise sharply in war-ravaged Yemen over a combination of factors exacerbated by the cor-onavirus, a report by several UN agencies said on Wednes-day 22nd. The report, which covers only the southern parts of Yemen, forecasts that the number of people “facing high lev-els of acute food insecurity” will increase from two million in February-April this year to 3.2 million in July-December.
Government and STC forces exchange artillery fireForces aligned with the internationally recognized Yemeni government of Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi exchanged artillery with forces aligned with the Transitional Political Council of the South (STC) in Zinjibar district in southern Yemen’s Abyan gov-ernorate. Hadi government-aligned forces previously clashed with STC-aligned forces in Abyan governorate on July 21st.
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.
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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 July 28th 2020). Source: UNHCR
Mediterranean Two boats carrying a combined total 140 migrants from North Africa are adrift and in danger near the island of Malta, Italian media report. The Alarm Phone organisation, which runs a hotline for people in trouble in the Mediterranean, said one of the vessels rang for help, complaining of engine problems. The boats are reported to be taking on water, with those on board panicking. Alarm Phone said neither the Maltese nor the Italian authorities were responding to their requests for help, the BBC reported on Monday 27th.
100 migrants risk drowning in Mediterranean, UN saysAround 100 migrants fleeing war-ravaged Libya have run into difficulty in the Mediterranean and could drown, the U.N. said Monday, urging a rapid rescue. The International Organiza-tion for Migration (IOM) warned in a tweet that “around 95 migrants are still floating in the Central Mediterranean at risk of drowning, after attempting to flee Libya.”
Germany backs ‘early warning system’ against migrantsGermany will support a new European effort to stop migrants arriving in Europe. The joint platform will focus mainly on migrants trying to enter via Turkey and Greece. Interior and migration ministers from 18 European countries agreed in Vienna this week to create a “coordination platform against irregular migration on the eastern Mediterranean route.” The platform is intended to lead to both faster returns of rejected asylum seekers and procedures as well as deterring people smugglers.
New wave of boat migrants overwhelms southern Italian islandAbout 100 migrants who crossed the Mediterranean in small boats landed on the southern island of Lampedusa during the night, the latest in a wave of arrivals straining an already overcrowded holding centre, Reuters reported on July 24th. Officials said the migrants, arriving from Libya, were either rescued at sea or managed to avoid detection and reach the island.
The current migrant smuggling situation
Another week of increased crossings attempts in the region, with a number of souls lost at sea. Despite the increase in crossings, July figures remain significantly down year on year, presumably due to a combination of factors arising from the pandemic and ongoing conflict in Libya. The increase in crossings does suggest that people smuggling operations have seen conditions ease in recent weeks, allowing them to reach points of disembarkation. Equally, the Libyan Navy and Coast Guard have been busy re-turning migrants to shore. As the conflict in Libya shows no signs of cooling at present, it is unlikely the migrant situation will see be addressed.
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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
LibyaIn a July 24th statement, U.S. Africa Command stated it has mounting evidence that Russia, through the Wagner Group, continues to position military equipment in Libya capable of con-ducting kinetic operations there. Overhead imagery shows Wagner forces and equipment on the front lines of the Libyan conflict in Sirte. Wagner, also known as the Wagner Group, is a Russian private military company. “Russia continues to play an unhelpful role in Libya by delivering sup-plies and equipment to the Wagner group,” said Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, Africom director of operations. “Imagery continues to unmask their consistent denials.”
‘Libya, Turkey made clear deal to repel Haftar attacks’Libya and Turkey last fall forged a clear agreement to repel the attacks of warlord Khalifa Haftar’s militias, a top Libyan official said on Tuesday 28th. Last November’s Turkish-Libyan secu-rity cooperation pact was in no way imposed on Turkey, said Khalid al-Mishri, the chair of Libya’s High Council of State Al- Mishri, speaking in Rabat, Morocco’s capital alongside Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
‘Egypt will not accept violations of red lines in Libya,’ FM Shoukry saysEgypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has said that Cairo “will not accept any violations of the designated red lines” of Sirte and Al-Jufra in Libya, and that the country will defend its national security and interests. The FM made the comments during a joint press conference with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Cairo on Monday 27th.
Air traffic resumes with direct flights to TurkeyThe UN-backed Government of National Accord, GNA, on Sunday 26th reopened its skies for international air traffic with first flights bound for Turkey. Libyan Wings Airlines took off to Turkey, the first ever international flight after four months of hiatus owing to the covid-19 pandemic, reports Anadolu news agency, citing Misrata International Airport authorities.
US threatens Haftar with sanctions over his ties with Russia, oil blockadeUS officials say Washington has threatened warlord Khalifa Haftar with sanctions over his refusal to reopen oil exports, which the US said that it was a decision made under Russian influence. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said warlord Haftar initially let ports reopen but changed his mind when Wagner Group forces moved to the Es Sider terminal, according to Lib-yan and European officials.
Libya, Qatar agree to enhance cooperationLibya and Qatar agreed on Thursday 23rd to boost bilateral cooperation, according to the communications office of Lib-
yan prime ministry. Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and Qatari Foreign Minister Muhammad bin Abdurrahman al-Thani met in Istanbul where the two also discussed the latest devel-opments in Libya and a political solution to the Libyan crisis.
UN Security Council agrees to hold meeting on Libyan capi-tal’s offensiveThe UN Security Council agreed Thursday 23rd on a Libyan request to hold a meeting for the sanctions committee and panel of experts on Libya in the presence of the countries in-volved in supporting the offensive on Tripoli that was launched in April 2019. The Libyan ambassador to the UN Taher El Sonni said on Twitter that the Security Council, chaired by Germany, had agreed to Libya’s request to hold the meeting.
Turkey, Russia agree to work for truce in Libya as regional ri-valry heats upTurkey and Russia said they will push for a cease-fire in Libya, where they support opposing sides in a civil war, while ten-sions continue to escalate between Ankara and Europe else-where in the Mediterranean, exposing a tangle of competing alliances across the region. Turkish and Russian officials meet-ing in Turkey’s capital on Wednesday 22nd agreed to continue working toward a truce for the North African state as well as facilitate dialogue between the warring parties and improve the humanitarian situation, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
UN concerned by Egypt’s approval of military intervention in LibyaThe UN is deeply concerned by the Egyptian Parliament’s decision to authorise the deployment of troops to Libya, the spokesperson of Secretary-General, António Guterres. Stéphane Dujarric told reporters that the UN chief wants to send a message to Egypt that there is no military solution to the conflict in Libya.
To read MAST’s Libyan Country report on MASTOPEDIA, please click here.
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MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com
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Gulf of GuineaFive South Korean fishermen who were kidnapped from the purse seiner Panofi Frontier in the Gulf of Guinea have been released, according to South Korea’s ministry of foreign affairs. The abductees were recovered from their captors on Friday 24th at a location in Nigeria. They are re-portedly healthy and are in the care of the Korean embassy. When they are ready, they have been provided with the option to travel to Ghana, where their vessel is homeported. the ministry said. One Ghanaian abductee from Panofi Frontier was also released, and he has been transferred to Ghanaian authorities.
Incidents: Nothing significant to report.
Revoke oil firm’s licence, Niger Delta ex-militant urges FGThe leader of former warlords in Odidi Federated Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Don Banky, has called on the President, Major-General Muham-madu Buhari (retd.), to revoke the oil mining licence given to Neconde Energy Company Limited to operate OML 42. Banky’s appeal was contained in a statement he personally signed on behalf of the former militants in Odidi, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Monday 27th. He de-clared that the Odidi Flow Station would remain shut until the something was done to address the lingering issues.
Nigerian Navy Launches Operation ‘Bekan Mmon 2’ In Cala-bar RiverThe Nigerian Navy at the weekend in Calabar flagged off “Op-eration Bekan Mmon two” in order to keep the Calabar water-ways (maritime environment) peaceful and safe from criminal activities which may include sea robbery, oil bunkering, hos-tage taking and others for economic prosperity of the country, local media reported on July 27th.
Nigerian Navy Launches New Operation, Impounds 31 Illegal VesselsThe Nigerian Navy at the weekend of the 25th-26th, launched a new operation codenamed ‘Doubeni II’, to curb criminal maritime activities in the country’s oil-producing Niger Delta region. The Central Naval Command (CNC), which is spear-heading the operation, said the 90-day operation in the wa-terways, which commenced from the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) jetty, Warri, is aimed at conducting evolutions to make the area crime-free and boost economic activities.
Nigerian Navy discovers illegal refinery in RiversA naval drone has discovered an illegal refining site with 300,000 litres of diesel and a large wooden boat containing 314 barrels of crude oil in Cawthorne channel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The site was consequently deactivated by per-sonnel of the Nigerian Navy ship, Pathfinder. Disclosing this in Abuja on Friday 24th at a briefing on the ongoing military operations across the country, the Coordinator, Defence Me-dia Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, stated that the troops also dismantled another illegal refining site at Bille creek.
Seamen who paid $200,000 ransom to pirates remandedA Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday remanded three expatriates and six Nigerians for al-legedly aiding and abetting terrorism, kidnapping and posses-sion of illegal firearms. They were arrested in May 2020 by the Nigerian Navy in Port Harcourt. PUNCH Metro learnt that John-son, Lemmer and Gordon, in connivance with a company, Pil-grim Africa Limited, allegedly conspired to facilitate the pay-ment of $200,000 ransom to secure the release of three crew members identified as Abaamrane Hamid, Chalabi Abdelaziz and Sanfos Ndong, held hostage by pirates who attacked their Equatorial Guinea flagged vessel, MV ELOBEY VI, off Equatorial Guinea Coast.
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
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South East AsiaThe Philippines has entered into security agreements with neighboring states in the Southeast Asian region to protect its shared maritime borders. “We strengthened our maritime security cooperation with neighboring nations such as Indonesia and Malaysia,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, head of the Security, Justice, Peace Cluster said in a pre-SONA forum aired on PTV-4. He was referring to the trilateral maritime patrols between the Philippines, Indonesia and Malay-sia which was launched in June 2017 and aimed at securing “areas of common concern” to the three countries.
Incidents: Nothing significant to report.
COVID-19 is accelerating maritime insecurity in Southeast AsiaCOVID-19 is showing the world how a health crisis can exert disproportionate pressure on existing social and political fis-sures. As state budgets adjust to accommodate the health crisis, non-state actors are escalating violence on land that is spilling over into the maritime domain, Channel News Asia re-ported on July 28th.
MMEA to get two more remote sensor site radarsThe Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will have two more remote sensor site (RSS) radars. They will be placed at the Abu Bakar Maritime Base in Johor and Langkawi respectively. “We will be installing more RSS radars along the coastline of the country in stages to enhance our surveillance and border control capabilities.”
Malaysia: Smugglers pay students, locals for tips on security forcesSmuggling syndicates are acting boldly by paying locals as well as school students to channel information on the move-ment of security forces at the border. Categorised as a non-aggressive version of a tonto (thug), they receive payments as low as RM50 a day to provide information to smuggling syn-dicates. Malaysian Border Security Agency (Aksem) deputy director-general (Strategic) Mohd Ridzzuan Mohd Zain said tonto activities were now more cunning with a wide network of communications.
Australia Abandons Its Neutrality on the South China Sea Maritime DisputesAustralia, a state party to the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), has long maintained that it was neutral with respect to maritime disputes in the South China Sea. Australia’s submission of a Note Verbale to the Commis-sion on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLSC) on July 23rd changed previous policy and came in the wake of a major change in U.S. policy made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo 10 days earlier, the Diplomat reported on July 27th.
Coast Guard radar station in Negros Occ. to boost maritime watchA radar station that aims to boost the maritime surveillance capability of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Southern Visayas will be built in Negros Occidental. The Coast Guard said construction for the first-ever radar station in the province –Bacolod Radar Station– will start following the ground-break-ing ceremony held Saturday, July 25th. The project, according to Commodore Tito Alvin Andal, aims to boost the maritime surveillance capability of the region to address critical issues in the maritime domain and to counter illegal activities at sea such as piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing.
Indonesia Launches Maritime Information Center to Tackle Crimes at Sea A new maritime information centre under Indonesia’s coast guard is expected to improve and speed up coordination in fighting smuggling, illegal fishing and other crimes at sea, of-ficials said on Thursday 23rd. The Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) launched the Indonesian Maritime Information Center (IMIC) on Wednesday as part of efforts to support law enforcement at sea through exchanges of information, said Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia, the coast guard’s chief.
To see MAST’s services in the region, please click here.
11MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com
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Central and South America An offshore supply vessel was reportedly attacked offshore Mexico on Friday, July 24, in an inci-dent that was described as a “violent armed boarding and robbery of personal belongings.” The incident took place overnight with the vessel be boarded under the cover of darkness. At the time of the attack, the supply vessel was approximately 12 nautical miles northeast of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. The Natalie is believed to be currently under the management of Cuxhavener Schiffahrt-skontor (CSK) GmbH & Co., a shipping and port agency based in Cuxhaven, Germany. There has been no offiicial report at the time of writing.
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.
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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
Nothing significant to report.
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.
