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OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE (U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to
Shipping (WTS) Report 18 January - 17 February 2016
18 February 2016
(U) Table of Contents
1. (U) Scope Note 2. (U) Summary 3. (U) Counter-Piracy and
Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories 4. (U) Details: Monthly
Incidents by Region 5. (U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information
and Resources 6. (U) Appendix B: Terminology and References
1. (U) Scope Note
(U) The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides info
on piracy threats to, and criminal action against, merchant vessels
worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily to
inform merchant mariners and naval forces.
2. (U) Summary A. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 14 February, an unknown
number of robbers boarded an anchored product tanker in Batangas
Anchorage. B. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 14 February, unidentified gunmen
abducted a fishing boat operator and two crewmembers in the
southern Philippines. C. (U) NIGERIA: On 14 February, 3 small speed
boats made a close-aboard approach to a ship at anchor in Lagos
Port. D. (U) LIBYA: On 13 February, the Libyan Coast Guard
intercepted the Sierra Leone-flagged tanker CAPTAIN KHAYYAM and
taken to Tripoli, on suspicion of smuggling diesel fuel. E. (U)
IVORY COAST: On 11 February, a vessel was hijacked 76 nm south of
Abidjan. F. (U) NIGERIA: On 11 February, a vessel was boarded by up
to 10 pirates 112 nm southwest of the Bonny River. G. (U) THAILAND:
On 11 February, four crewmen on a small, open police patrol boat
were thrown into the sea when a vessel suspected of smuggling
contraband refused to stop for a search and rammed them off Muang
district. H. (U) INDONESIA: On 10 February, the Indonesian Navy
raided a Malaysian-flagged boat engaged in illegal fishing
activities in Tanjung Balai waters in North Sumatra. One Myanmar
fisherman was killed in the raid. I. (U) DR CONGO: On 9 February,
four robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier in
Boma Anchorage.
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J. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 9 February, three people, including two
children, were killed by suspected pirates in an attack offshore of
the province of Zamboanga Sibugay. K. (U) NICARAGUA: On 27 January,
a large motor yacht on passage between Colon, Panama and Roatan,
Honduras was nearly rammed and boarded by a 60 foot steel fishing
boat off the east coast of Nicaragua, north of Isla Providencia,
Colombia. L. (U) U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS: On 14 January, a sailing was
boarded on the southwest coast of St. Croix, near Limetree Bay.
3. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and
Advisories A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule
for February 2016. To apply for JMSDF escort, visit
http://www.mlit.go.jp/en/maritime/maritime_fr2_000000.html, please
contact directly the Anti-Piracy Contact and Coordination Office,
Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and
Tourism (MILT), Japan: Tel: +81-3-5253-8932; Fax: +81-3-5253-1643.
Email: [email protected]. (MSCHOA) B. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Korean
Navy convoy schedule for February 2016. All merchant vessels
wishing to join the convoy group must submit their application
forms directly to the ROK naval warship carrying out the mission.
The ROK MTG can be reached directly at INMARSAT:
00-870-773-110-438; Email: [email protected]. (MSCHOA) C.
(U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for February 2016.
For further information, please e-mail [email protected], or call
Tel: 441 302 243; or 441 302 244; or 441 302 237. (MSCHOA) D. (U)
GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for February 2016.
To register, email [email protected]; or visit
www.dgshipping.com. Telephone numbers for contact are: 91-22-
22614646 or fax at 91-22-22613636. (MSCHOA) E. (U) GULF OF ADEN:
Russian Navy convoy escort schedule for February 2016. For further
information e-mail [email protected]; [email protected]; or fax +7
(499) 642-83-29. (MSCHOA)
4. (U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region (U) This section
lists reports of active violence against shipping, credible threats
to shipping, or the potential for a situation to develop into a
direct threat to shipping over the last 30 days. Every effort is
made to ensure that incidents are not double-counted. In the event
double-counting is detected, or an incident is later learned to be
different than initially reported, an explanation of the
cancellation of the inaccurate report will be made in at least one
message prior to dropping the erroneous report. A. (U) NORTH
AMERICA: No current incidents to report.
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B. (U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:
1. (U) NICARAGUA: On 27 January, a large motor yacht on passage
between Colon, Panama and Roatan, Honduras was nearly rammed and
boarded by a 60-foot steel fishing boat near position 14:30 N -
081:55 W, off the east coast of Nicaragua, north of Isla
Providencia, Colombia. The motor yacht was able to successfully
outrun the pirates. The fishing vessel was described as a 60-foot
steel vessel, white and blue, very good condition and reportedly
named MISTER HENSON. No fishing equipment noted except for a crab
fence. A report was made to the US Coast Guard. (www.noonsite.com)
2. (U) U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS: On 14 January, a French citizen, en
route from South Carolina, USA, via the Bahamas to Guadeloupe in a
sailing yacht anchored overnight on the southwest coast of St.
Croix, near Limetree Bay. The following morning he was approached
by a big fishing boat and boarded by 3 young men. The men
threatened him and punched him in the face and then slashed his
lower left leg with a machete. They forced him to go down below and
open his safe and bring up money. When it "wasnt enough" they shot
him in the right thigh at close range, shattering his femur,
severely wounding him. The captain was then left on the floor of
his drifting boat when the men departed. The captain, although
bleeding profusely and in severe pain, was able to maneuver his
boat back into the industrial harbor alongside a tug. A tug
crewmember summoned the police and ambulance. The victim was
transported to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery
for his serious injuries, some 3 hours after the initial attack.
(www.noonsite.com) 3. (U) GUYANA: On 5 February, robbers boarded an
anchored container ship near position 06:49 N - 058:10 W,
Georgetown Port Anchorage. Alert duty crewman spotted the robbers
near the paint locker and raised the alarm. Ships Master notified
the Coast Guard and a boat was dispatched to investigate. Seeing
the alerted crew and the approaching Coast Guard boat, the robbers
escaped with stolen ships stores. (IMB) 4. (U) PERU: On 3 February,
seven robbers in two speedboats came alongside an anchored product
tanker near position 12:00 S - 077:12 W, Callao Port Anchorage. Two
robbers boarded the vessel but were spotted by the alert crew
resulting in the robbers escaping without stealing anything. (IMB)
5. (U) VENEZUELA: On 25 January, an unknown number of robbers
boarded an anchored general cargo ship near position 10:16.3N -
064:34.3W, Guanta Anchorage. The robbers were able to steal ships
properties and escape
Figure 1. Central America - Caribbean - South America Piracy and
Maritime Crime
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unnoticed. The incident was noticed later by the duty crew on
safety rounds. (IMB) C. (U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current
incidents to report. D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE - BALTIC: No current
incidents to report. E. (U) MEDITERRANEAN - BLACK SEA:
1. (U) LIBYA: On 13 February, the Libyan Coast Guard intercepted
the Sierra Leone-flagged CAPTAIN KHAYYAM and taken to Tripoli, on
suspicion of smuggling diesel fuel. The ship reportedly left
Marsaxlokk, Malta on 5 February. The crew of 12 includes
Azerbaijan, Turkish and Ukrainian nationalities.
(www.fleetmon.com)
Figure 2. Mediterranean - Black Sea Piracy and Maritime
Crime
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F. (U) WEST AFRICA:
1. (U) NIGERIA: On 14 February, 3 small speed boats made a
close-aboard approach to a ship at anchor in Lagos Port. Several
persons were in each boat and they were reportedly carrying siphon
hoses. The ship raised the alarm and mustered the crew. The robbers
turned away and departed the area when the ship raised the alarm.
(MTISC- GOG) 2. (U) IVORY COAST: On 11 February, a vessel was
hijacked near position 04:00N - 004:00 W, 76 nm south of Abidjan.
The pirates had reportedly kidnapped 5 crewmen. Shortly thereafter,
the company lost contact with this vessel. (MTISC-GOG;
www.hellenicshippingnews.com) 3. (U) NIGERIA: On 11 February, a
vessel was boarded by up to 10 pirates near position 03:36 N -
005:37 E, 112 nm southwest of the Bonny River. The crew was able to
retreat into the citadel and was reportedly safe during the
incident. (MTISC-GOG; www.hellenicshippingnews.com) 4. (U) DR
CONGO: On 9 February, four robbers armed with knives boarded an
anchored bulk carrier near position 05:52 S - 013:02 E, Boma
Anchorage. Duty crewman on watch noticed the robbers and informed
the Duty Officer who in turn raised the alarm and mustered the
crew. Hearing the alarm and seeing the crews alertness, the robbers
escaped with stolen ships stores. Attempts to contact port control
received no response. (IMB; MTISC-GOG) 5. (U) DROC: On 9 February,
4 robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored vessel near
position 05:51 S - 013:03 E, Boma Anchorage. The alarm was sounded
at which point they fled using a small boat. On investigation, a
fire hose and several fire hose nozzles were stolen, no crew were
harmed. (MTISC-GOG)
Figure 3. West Africa Piracy and Maritime Crime
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6. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 February, seven persons wearing dark boiler
suits with red caps in a speed boat chased and attempted to board
an underway LNG tanker near position 04:09 N - 006:58 E, 16 nm
southwest of Bonny Island. Alarm was raised, fire hoses activated,
Master increased speed to maximum and made evasive maneuvers. When
the speed boat closed to within 10 meters, automatic weapons and a
ladder were sighted by crewmen. Due to the hardening measures taken
by the ships Master, the robbers aborted the approach and moved
away. (IMB; MTISC-GOG) 7. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 February, 6 robbers
boarded the Singapore-flagged container carrier SAFMARINE KURAMO
near position 04:02 N - 006:54 E, 60 nm south west of Bonny River.
A Nigeria Navy ship responded to the boarding and the robbers left
the ship. (MTISC-GOG; www.marinelink.com; www.dailytrust.info) 8.
(U) GHANA: On 5 February, police in the port of Tema arrested 8
Ghanaian citizens who had stowed away in two shipping containers in
an effort to get to Europe. (www.dailytrust.info) 9. (U) TOGO: On
31 January, four stowaways were found aboard a drifting tanker near
position 03:30 N - 001:52 E, approximately 160 nm south of Lome.
The stowaways were from Togo and found in the rudder trunk. (MITSC-
GOG) 10. (U) NIGERIA: On 29 January, the tanker LEON DIAS was
reportedly hijacked near Brass. Subsequent media reports indicate
that the ship has been released, after five crewmen including the
ships Captain, were kidnapped. Two Filipinos, two Russians and one
Georgian were taken and the ship is currently located near Cotonou,
Benin. (www.sunnewsonline.com; www.allafrica.com; AFP) 11. (U) DR
CONGO: On 24 January, two robbers boarded an anchored product
tanker near position 05:50 S - 013:25 E, Ango Ango Anchorage. Duty
crew on routine rounds noticed the robbers and informed the bridge.
Alarm raised and crew was mustered. Seeing the crews alertness, the
robbers aborted and escaped without stealing anything. (IMB) 12.
(U) DR CONGO: On 24 January, a vessel was boarded near position
05:50 S - 013:25 E, Matadi Anchorage. A duty crewman spotted two
robbers, armed with large knives, on the portside main deck and
raised the alarm. The robbers fled after stealing a length of rope.
(MTISC-GOG) 13. (U) NIGERIA: On 22 January, a bulk carrier reported
being followed near position 05:15 N - 003:13 E, approximately 70
nm south of Lagos. The ship was reportedly followed at a distance
of 7 miles and lost the suspicious vessel after a speed increase
and course change. (MTISC-GOG) 14. (U) COTE DIVOIRE: On 20 January,
two robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored vessel near
position 05:13 N - 004:02 W, Abidjan Anchorage. The robbers were
spotted on the aft deck by duty crewmen, who raised the alarm. The
robbers escaped with mooring lines. (MTISC-GOG) 15. (U) NIGERIA: On
19 January, pirates in two speed boats chased and fired upon an
underway vehicle carrier near position 03:52 N - 005:33 E, 37 nm
southwest of Bayelsa. Master raised the alarm and activated SSAS,
mustered all crew and activated the water hoses. After three hours,
the pirates abandoned the chase. One crew member reported minor
injury. Remaining crew safe. (IMB) 16. (U) CONGO: On 19 January,
two robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored vessel near
position 04:45 S - 011:50 E, Pointe Noire Anchorage. The robbers
were spotted by a duty crewman, who raised the alarm. The robbers
were able to escape with ships properties. (MTISC-GOG) 17. (U)
NIGERIA: On 18 January, gunmen kidnapped twelve persons in Bayelsa
State, including the pastor of a local church. The gunmen attacked
their boat after it left Twon Brass, headquarters of Brass Local
Government Area, heading towards Yenagoa, the state capital.
(www.ghanaweb.com) UPDATE: On 19 January, the 12 kidnapping victims
were released, after spending 15 hours in captivity.
(www.punchng.com) 18. (U) NIGERIA: On 15 January, ten pirates in a
speedboat chased and fired upon an underway tug near position 04:05
N - 005:25 E, 30 nm southwest of Bayelsa. The crew locked
themselves in the safe area of the ship. The
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pirates then boarded the tug, damaged its navigation equipment,
stole crews personal effects and escaped. (IMB) G. (U) ARABIAN
GULF: No current incidents to report. H. (U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST
AFRICA: No current incidents to report. I. (U) EAST ASIA -
SOUTHEAST ASIA - INDIAN SUBCONTINENT:
1. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 14 February, an unknown number of robbers
boarded an anchored product tanker near position 13:43 N - 121:02
E, Batangas Anchorage. The Duty Officer was preparing the tanker
for berthing operations and noticed grappling hook marks on the
deck. Security checks made throughout the ship, with ships
properties reportedly stolen. Local authorities were informed
through agents. (IMB) 2. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 14 February,
unidentified gunmen abducted a fishing boat operator and two
crewmembers in the southern Philippines, according to police
reports. A police spokesman said in a statement that the vessel had
been commandeered while fishing in the seas between the Zamboanga
peninsula and the island province of Basilan. Reportedly, the
kidnappers have demanded a ransom for their return.
(www.turkishweekly.net) 3. (U) THAILAND: On 11 February, four
crewmen on a small, open police patrol boat were thrown into the
sea when a vessel suspected of smuggling contraband refused to stop
for a search and rammed them off Muang district. The patrol team,
in an open outboard-powered army boat, spotted the vessel at the
Pak Ao canal and signaled it to stop for a search. The smugglers
instead turned and rammed into the patrol boat, throwing all four
crewmen into the water. The smugglers sped off and the four
crewmen, with only minor injuries, managed to get their damaged
boat back to the shore. (www.bangkokpost.com) 4. (U) INDONESIA: On
10 February, the Indonesian Navy raided a Malaysia-flagged boat
engaged in illegal fishing activities in Tanjung Balai waters in
North Sumatra. One Myanmar fisherman was killed in the raid while
three boat crew members were arrested. A spokesman said the Myanmar
fishermen initially refused to surrender and instead tried to crash
their boat, which was carrying 2 tons of fish, into the Navys
patrol ship. After their warning shots were ignored, Navy patrol
pointed their guns to the boat and started shooting. The fishing
boat gave up to the police after those shots were fired.
(www.merdeka.com)
Figure 4. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian Subcontinent
Piracy and Maritime Crime
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5. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 9 February, three people, including two
children, were killed by suspected pirates in an attack offshore of
the province of Zamboanga Sibugay. A regional police spokesman said
the incident took place around 4:20 p.m. offshore Barangay Kulisap,
Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay. The spokesmen identified the victims as
Ronald Gorgonio, a fisherman, and his two sons, Philip Clyde, 12,
and Reymart, nine-years old. They died on the spot. Investigation
showed the victims were on the way home coming from a fishing
venture when the pirates repeatedly shot them. (www.sunstar.com) 6.
(U) Bangladesh: On 14 January, 11 fishermen were abducted while
fishing near Hatiya Island. The kidnappers initially demanded a
ransom for their return but police rescued the fishermen the next
day. (www.thedailystar.net) 7. (U) INDONESIA: On 1 February, the
Jambi Water Police announced they had seized 20 tons of illegal
aviation fuel from a boat on the Batanghari River, Pelayangan
district, Jambi city. A Marine Police spokesman said that the fuel
had been taken from state oil and gas company Pertamina. The boat
carrying the fuel, KM HARAPAN BARU, was intercepted for carrying
suspicious cargo. Police officers then inspected the boats cargo.
They found 20 tons of fuel in 100 fuel drums. Police have seized
the evidence and detained the boats Captain for further
investigation. (www.thejakartapost.com) 8. (U) MALAYSIA: On 26
January, Malaysian Marine Police seized 50,000 liters of diesel
fuel suspected to have been smuggled from Labuan in a raid in Kuala
Lawas. The Marine Police Region Five commander said a four- member
Limbang Marine Police team on an intelligence-gathering operation
came across a tugboat and found that the back portion of the boat
had been converted into a large fuel tank. An examination found
that the tank contained diesel fuel and there were no documents on
board to show that the boat carried the fuel after it was obtained
in Labuan. (www.borneopost.com) 9. (U) INDIA: On 23 January, a duty
crewman onboard an LPG tanker anchored near position 17:39 N -
083:24 E, Visakhapatnam Anchorage on routine rounds, noticed foot
marks on the upper deck aft area. Alarm raised and a thorough
search was made. It was reported that ships properties were stolen
from several store rooms. Port control was informed. (IMB) J. (U)
NORTHEAST ASIA: 1. (U) HONG KONG: On 27 January, four suspected
drug traffickers were arrested after Hong Kong customs officers
seized 48 kilograms of suspected cocaine among a shipment of cocoa
beans coming from Panama. After examination, officers found 48
slabs of suspected cocaine inside two nylon bags at the innermost
part of the container. A Ports and Maritime Command spokesperson
stated that officers found the container suspicious as Panama was
not a place of origin for cocoa beans and the cargo was in a dirty
container not used for food products and did not have proper
documentation, prompting the further search.
(www.thejakartapost.com) K. (U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN: No
current incidents to report.
5. (U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources (U)
This appendix provides contact information for the author of the
WTS as well as other entities that can be contacted with maritime
crime reports. It also lists other resources where the WTS is
posted and where piracy and maritime crime incident information can
be found. (U) Contact (U) Originator of this WTS report requests
consumer feedback. Originator will incorporate all anti-shipping
events and violence against the maritime industry into this weekly
message where appropriate. To aid in our reporting, please add the
Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) to your normal corporate and
organizational reporting requirements. The 24-hour watch can be
reached at +1 (301) 669-4053.
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(U) Other Resources (U) This Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report
is posted at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agencys Maritime
Safety site: http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal. The
International Maritime Bureau (IMB) also publishes a live piracy
report based on reporting from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, listing all piracy and armed robbery
incidents in the last ten days: http://www.icc-ccs.org/. The PAWW
and WTS Reports are posted weekly on the ONI Intel Portal:
http://www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence_Community/piracy.htm.
6. (U) Appendix B: Terminology and References (U) This appendix
is provided to promote consistent use of accurate terms of
reference in reporting and also identifies those references that
were used to gather the information contained in this report. ONI
welcomes comment and suggestions for addition or amendment. (U)
Terminology (U) In order to promote consistent use of accurate
terms of reference, the following have been adopted to describe the
range of criminal anti-shipping activity and impediments to safe
navigation in our worldwide reporting and analysis. Please note
that these terms relate to observable activity and are independent
of target vessel status and exclude actions by governmental powers
in lawful pursuit of their authorities:
(U) Attempted Boarding Close approach or hull-to-hull contact
with report that boarding paraphernalia were employed or visible in
the approaching boat.
(U) Blocking Hampering safe navigation, docking, or undocking of
a vessel as a means of protest.
(U) Boarding Unauthorized boarding of a vessel by persons not
part of its complement without successfully taking control of the
vessel.
(U) Firing Upon Weapons discharged at or toward a vessel.
(U) Hijacking Unauthorized seizure and retention of a vessel by
persons not part of its complement.
(U) Kidnapping Unauthorized forcible removal of persons
belonging to the vessel from it.
(U) Robbery Theft from a vessel or from persons aboard the
vessel.
(U) Suspicious Approach All other unexplained close proximity of
an unknown vessel. (U) Sourcing (U) ONI derives information in this
report from direct reporting and analysis of reports from the
following agencies and commercial sources.
Agence France Presse (AFP)
Associated Press (AP)
Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), Denmark
BBC News
EU Naval Forces (EU)
Fairplay (FP), London
Informa Group (INFO), formerly LLP, Llp Limited, London
International Maritime Bureau (IMB), London and Kuala Lumpur
International Maritime Organization (IMO), London
gCaptain
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Latitude38.com (LAT) website
Lloyd's List (LL), daily, London
Local Media (LM)
LSS-SAPU.com (LSS)
Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S.
The Maritime Executive (website)
Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA)
Maritime Security Council (MSC), U.S.
Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre - Gulf of Guinea
(MTISC-GoG)
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Navigation Safety
System
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Brussels
Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) (analysis and comment)
Operator (owner or operator of affected vessel)
Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed
Robbery against Ships in Asia,
Information Sharing Center (ReCAAP ISC)
Reuters
Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN)
Seafarers Assistance Program (SAP), Kenya Tradewinds (TW)
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO)
United Press International (UPI)
U.S. Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) Bahrain
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (U) ICOD: 17 February
2016
