12 DEC 07
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OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE
CIVIL MARITIME ANALYSIS DEPARTMENT
WORLDWIDE THREAT TO SHIPPING
MARINER WARNING INFORMATION
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POC: DAVID PEARL:
COMM (301) 669-4905
FAX (301) 669-3247
E-mail dpearl@nmic.navy.mil
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SARAH ABOUFASHA:
COMM (301) 669-4784
FAX (301) 669-3247
E-mail saboufasha@nmic.navy.mil
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1. This message provides information on threats to, and criminal
action against merchant shipping worldwide in the last 30 days.
.
A. To aid in our reporting, please add the Office of Naval
Intelligence (ONI) as an information addressee when possible to
your normal corporate and organizational reporting requirements.
The ONI message address is ONI WASHINGTON DC//11// or, the ONI
Violence at Sea (VAS) desk may be contacted at commercial phone
(301) 669-4905 or via e-mail: dpearl@nmic.navy.mil. Report
may also be made to the National Response Center (U.S. Coast
Guard) hotline: 1-800-424-8802 or the Maritime Administration
Office of Ship Operations, MAR-613, (202) 366-5735; FAX
(202) 366-3954, e-mail: opcentr1@marad.dot.gov.
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B. This Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report is posted at the
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Maritime Safety site:
http://www.nga.mil/portal/site/maritime.
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C. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) also publishes a
weekly piracy summary, based on reporting from the IMB Piracy
Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Each week's report is
published on Tuesday and may be accessed through
their web page http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php.
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D. Anti-piracy and crime current developments:
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1. SURINAME: Fishermen arrested, weapons seized 05 Dec 07, Saramacca district and
along the Atlantic coast. Police in Suriname say they have arrested and detained several
Guyanese fishermen, including a Surinamese national, born in Guyana. During the arrest the
police seized two shotguns and a handgun in the boat of the Surinamese suspect. This suspect is
being incarcerated for violating the Firearms Act. The police acted upon information regarding
recent pirate attacks on fishermen along the Guyanese coast, but it has yet to be determined
whether the suspects could be linked to those attacks. Guyanese authorities and security
agencies in Suriname were on the lookout for any suspicious activities in relation to the pirate
attacks in Guyana (LM: Caribbean Net News).
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2. STRAIT OF MALACCA: The Japanese Government presented three patrol boats to
Indonesia for use in the Strait of Malacca, 30 Nov 07. The patrol boats were meant to help
Indonesia handle piracy, maritime terrorism and weapon smuggling in the strait. Each of the
three boats are 27 meters in length and can carry up to 12 personnel. They can travel to speeds
up to 32 knots, and are made of high-quality steel and equipped with state-of-the-art
communication and navigation technologies. The three boats are placed in Tanjung Batu, Riaw
and Belawan, and Medan (North Sumatra), in accordance to the agreement with the Japanese
government (LM: The Jakarta Post).
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3. GUYANA: Guyana to discuss piracy issues with Suriname, per 19 Nov 07 reporting.
President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana stated that they will be making a formal approach to
Suriname to discuss piracy issues as fishermen need to be protected while conducting activities
at sea in Suriname waters. The statement was made during an interview during a Cabinet
Outreach in Region Six. When Guyanese fishermen are attacked outside of Guyanese waters,
the Guyanese authorities can not do anything to prevent the piracy attacks (LM: starbroek.com).
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4. SOMALIA: The French Navy began escorting two WFP vessels to Somalia, 16 Nov 07
to protect them against pirate attacks. The Freighters (ROZEN) and (SEMLOW) were escorted
on a two month arrangement by the French Navy from Mombasa, Kenya and arrived at Merka
port (south of Mogadishu) on 19 Nov 07. This is part of a two month arrangement with the
French Navy to deter threatening food shipments to Somalis (REUTERS, AFP).
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E. Source codes: Information contained in this report is
derived through direct reporting and analysis of reports of other
agencies and commercial sources. Source codes will be added to
new reports to enable users requiring more detail to make contact.
Codes currently in use are:
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AFP, Agence France Presse
AP, Associated Press
BBC, BBC News
BIMCO, Baltic and International Maritime Council, Denmark
DHS, U. S. Department of Homeland Security
DOJ, U. S. Department of Justice
DOT, U. S. Department of Transportation
FP, Fairplay, London
GP, Greenpeace
IMB, International Maritime Bureau, London and Kuala Lumpur
IMO, International Maritime Organization, London
INFO, Informa Group, formerly LLP, Llp Limited, London
LAT, Latitud38.com website
LL, Lloyd's List, daily, London
LM, local media
MARAD, Maritime Administration, US
MSC, Maritime Security Council, US
NATO, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Brussels
NGA, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Navigation
Safety System
ONI, Office of Naval Intelligence analysis and comment
Operator, owner or operator of affected vessel
OSAC, Overseas Security Advisory Council
USCG, United States Coast Guard
RAN, Royal Australian Navy
ReCAAP ISC, Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy
and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, Information Sharing Center
REUTERS, Reuters
RNZN, Royal New Zealand Navy
SAP, Seafarers’ Assistance Program, Kenya
STATE, U. S. Department of State
TW, Tradewinds
UKMTO, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization
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2. Designation of a high threat area is based on an assessment of
all source information relating to the existence of, or potential
for piracy and other crime, terrorism, civil unrest or low
intensity conflict. Every effort is made to ensure that incidents
are not double-counted. In the event double counting is detected
or an event is later learned not to be as 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. Specific incidents will be reported for one month.
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3. This week's highlights:
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A. Fishermen arrested, weapons seized 05 Dec 07, Saramacca district and along the Atlantic
B. coast, Suriname (Para 1.D.1.).
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B. Fishermen boats attacked 04 Dec 07, eastern sector, Guyana (Para 5.C.1.).
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C. Gunmen traveling in speedboats attacked, robbed two banks, 05 Dec 07, Bata, Guinea (Para
5.G.1).
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D. Bulk carrier boarded 12 Dec 07, Lagos Anchorage, Nigeria (Para 5.G.4).
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E. Tanker boarded 28 Nov 07, off Lagos Anchorage, Nigeria (Para 5.G.5.).
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F. Container ship boarded, robbed 09 Dec 07 Dar es Salaam Port, Tanzania (Para 5.H.1.).
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4. Contents and summary of threat areas detailed in paragraph 5:
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A. NORTH AMERICA:
1. No current incidents to report.
B. CENTRAL AMERICA-CARIBBEAN:
1. No current incidents to report.
C. SOUTH AMERICA:
1. Fishermen boats attacked 04 Dec 07, eastern sector, Guyana.
D. ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA:
1. No current incidents to report.
E. NORTHERN EUROPE-BALTIC:
1. No current incidents to report.
F. MEDITERRANEAN-BLACK SEA:
1. No current incidents to report.
G. WEST AFRICA:
1. Gunmen traveling in speedboats attacked, robbed two banks, 05 Dec 07, Bata, Guinea.
2. Ambush on Cameroon military by unidentified gunmen, military personnel killed
12 Nov 07, Bakassi Peninsula, Cameroon.
3. Suspected militants attack Nigerian Navy 25 Nov 07, Soku, Akuku Toru Local
Government Area of Rivers State, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
4. Bulk carrier boarded 12 Dec 07, Lagos Anchorage, Nigeria.
5. Tanker boarded 28 Nov 07, off Lagos Anchorage, Nigeria.
6. Container ship boarded 24 Nov 07, Lagos anchorage, Nigeria.
7. Tanker boarded, robbed 21 Nov 07, 15 miles from Lagos, Nigeria.
8. Unidentified militants in speedboats attack jetty area, victim killed, 12 Nov 07, the Qua
Iboe Terminal, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria.
H. INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA:
1. Container ship boarded, robbed 09 Dec 07 Dar es Salaam Port, Tanzania.
2. Vehicle Carrier reported suspicious approach 17 Nov 07, Gulf of Aden.
3. Cruise ship (SEABOURN SPIRIT) reported suspicious approach, per 25 Nov 07
reporting, Arabian Sea off Oman.
4. Vessel reported suspicious approach 12 Nov 07, 275NM west of Port Okha, India.
5. Sea battle between Sri Lankan Navy and LTTE, cadres killed 24 Nov 07, Vedithalitvu,
North of Mannar, Sri Lanka.
I. RED SEA:
1. No current incidents to report.
J. PERSIAN GULF:
1. No current incidents to report.
K. SOUTHEAST ASIA:
1. Product tanker boarded 29 Nov 07, SBM Belawan, Indonesia.
2. Yacht (DILAN) reported suspicious approach 09 Sep 07, 48NM southeast of Pulau
Repong, per 05 Dec 07 reporting.
3. Chemical tanker boarded 19 Nov 07, off Mangkai Island, Indonesia.
L. NORTH ASIA:
1. No current incidents to report.
M. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA:
1. No current incidents to report.
N. ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC NON-STATE ACTIVIST GROUPS:
1. Sea Shepherd’s two month campaign Operation MIGALOO will commence 28 Nov 07,
Southern Ocean.
2. Greenpeace vessel (ESPERANZA) attempted to track the Japanese whaling fleet, 18 Nov
07, Antarctic Ocean.
3. Greenpeace Activists attempt to block shipment 25 Nov 07 Porvoo, Finland.
4. Greenpeace activists attempt to stop tanker (DOROUSSA) from transporting palm oil, per
23 Nov 07 reporting, Rotterdam port, Netherlands.
5. Tanker (MT WESTAMA) transporting palm oil was blocked while at berth by
Greenpeace activists 16 Nov 07, Dumai, Sumatra Island, Indonesia.
6. Activists blocked coal shipment 14 Nov 07 at port Tarragona in northeastern Spain.
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5. DETAILS: There is reported active violence against shipping,
a credible threat to shipping, or the potential to develop into a
direct threat to the safety of shipping in the following areas:
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A. NORTH AMERICA: No current incidents to report.
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B. CENTRAL AMERICA-CARIBBEAN: No current incidents to report.
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C. SOUTH AMERICA:
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1. GUYANA: Fishermen boats attacked 04 Dec 07, late evening, eastern sector.
Approximately 15 boats with Berbice Fishermen on board were subject to attack by pirates. Five
of the boats are reportedly missing (LM: Starbroek.com).
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D. ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.
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E. NORTHERN EUROPE-BALTIC: No current incidents to report.
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F. MEDITERRANEAN-BLACK SEA: No current incidents to report.
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G. WEST AFRICA:
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1. GUINEA: Gunmen traveling in speedboats attacked, robbed two banks, 05 Dec 07, Bata.
Gunmen disguised as fishermen armed with light automatic weapons, stormed two banks
simultaneously, grabbing bags of cash and shooting passers-by before making off in speedboats
into the Atlantic Ocean. After exchanging fire with the masked attackers, Equatorial Guinean
security forces pursued them until they crossed into the territorial waters of Cameroon
(REUTERS).
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2. CAMEROON: Ambush on Cameroon military by unidentified gunmen, military
personnel killed 12 Nov 07, Bakassi Peninsula. Unidentified gunmen reportedly dressed in
Nigerian military uniforms and traveling in seven speedboats ambushed a Cameroon military
post. Additional reporting indicates the ambush was against a boat carrying food and supplies to
Cameroonian soldiers on the peninsula. The attackers seized the soldiers weapons leaving others
wounded. The Nigerian military stated they did not have any hand in the attacks and blamed
militants from the volatile Niger Delta region. Nigeria handed the sensitive and oil-rich Bakassi
Peninsula over to Cameroon in August 2006 after a ruling by the International Court of Justice
(AFP, BBC, LM: allafrica.com, Daily Triumph).
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3. NIGERIA: Suspected militants attack Nigerian Navy 25 Nov 07, Soku, Akuku Toru
Local Government Area of Rivers State, Port Harcourt. Suspected militants attacked four patrol
boats of the Nigerian Navy, leading to a fierce gunfight. The naval boats were on their routine
patrol of the creeks when they were attacked by approximately 30 boats that were fitted with
machine guns. Sources stated that the militants fled after they came under superior firepower.
The speedboats used by the militants were sunk. It is unknown if there were any casualties (LM:
THISDAY, afriquenligne.fr).
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4. NIGERIA: Bulk carrier boarded 12 Dec 07 at 0206 UTC while drifting, in position
06:14N-003:22E, Lagos Anchorage. Two pirates, armed with guns and knives boarded the
vessel. The pirates tied up the aft watchmen. The forward watchman sighted the pirates, ran into
the accommodation and locked all entrance doors. The duty officer was informed, then raised
the alarm and mustered the crew. The pirates immediately jumped overboard and fled in the
waiting wood motor boat. The two watchmen had light injuries. Port control was informed
(IMB).
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5. NIGERIA: Tanker boarded 28 Nov 07, in the late evening off Lagos Anchorage. In what
appeared to be a military launch, twelve armed robbers dressed in military fatigues approached
the vessel. Nine persons boarded the vessel and ordered the Master to disembark into their
launch. The Master refused and escaped towards the accommodation. The robbers opened fire
on the Master, who managed to escape unhurt. While searching and looting the accommodation,
the robbers took a second officer, an A/B, and one cook hostage. The three hostages were
released after 90 minutes in exchange for cash and cigarettes. On 29 Nov 07, the Master
received a phone call, threatening him that the robbers would attack again in the next port (IMB).
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6. NIGERIA: Container ship boarded, robbed 24 Nov 07 at 0345 local time in position
06:17.8S – 003:21.2E, Lagos anchorage. Four armed robbers in a small wooden boat boarded
the vessel from the aft. They stole the ship’s stores and escaped. No injuries to crew (IMB).
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7. NIGERIA: Tanker boarded, robbed 21 Nov 07 at 0212 local time while drifting in
position 06:12N-003:18E, 15 miles from Lagos shore. Five pirates armed with knives boarded
the vessel. The duty crew spotted the pirates and informed the duty officer. The alarm was
raised and the crew mustered. The pirates escaped with the ship’s stores (IMB).
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8. NIGERIA: Unidentified militants in speedboats attack jetty area, victim killed, 12 Nov 07
in the early hours, the Qua Iboe Terminal, Akwa Ibom state. Approximately 50 gunmen dressed
in red attire, traveling in seven to eleven speedboats with general purpose machine guns attacked
the security post at the terminal and engaged soldiers in a prolonged gun battle. Sources reported
that the militants had difficulty in berthing near the Mobil installation which appeared to have
been their target, however, due to stormy weather or high tide, they were forced to divert to a
jetty near the naval base in the area. The militants were not able to gain access to the oil
production facilities at the terminal. During the invasion, stray bullets hit a pregnant woman and
killed her and wounded four other innocent people. According to the police, the militants
managed to seize four pump rifles and two boats with 75-horse power engines. The militants
later used explosives to blow up the boats, while the engines were taken away. The shooting
ended by midday and the facility and military personnel remained unharmed (LM: The Hindu,
allafrica.com).
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H. INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA:
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1. TANZANIA: Container ship boarded, robbed 09 Dec 07 at 0430 local time, while
drifting in position 06:44S – 039:32E, Dar es Salaam Port. The pirates boarded unnoticed and
broke the padlocks, removed container lashing bars and stole the ship’s stores and cargo. Upon
carrying out the search, only footprints were noticed. Port control was informed (IMB).
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2. GULF OF ADEN: Vehicle Carrier reported suspicious approach 17 Nov 07 at 0550 local
time while underway. The vessel spotted three suspicious crafts on the starboard side and one
suspicious craft on the port side at a distance of 0.4NM. The Master took all necessary
preventive measures and the suspicious crafts later moved away (IMB).
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3. ARABIAN SEA: Cruise ship (SEABOURN SPIRIT) reported suspicious approach, per
25 Nov 07 reporting, off Oman. The cruise ship's crew had grown increasingly concerned about
three small fast moving skiffs closing in on their position and reported to UKMTO. The skiffs
moved away without incident (UKMTO, Marinelog.com, Navy.mil).
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4. ARABIAN SEA: Vessel reported suspicious approach 12 Nov 07 at 2330 local
time/1930 UTC in position 20:05.3N-064:49.1E. The vessel detected on radar an unidentified
unlit suspicious craft. The vessel’s course was 308 and traveling at 15.6kts. The suspicious craft
appeared on radar only four miles from the vessel and moved to the starboard side, closing in on
the vessel. The craft had very good maneuverability. Upon reaching 0.3 miles from the vessel,
the craft began to parallel the course of the vessel. The alarm was raised. After 15mins, the
suspicious craft started moving away from the vessel. At the same time the vessel astern from
the current vessel (about 10 miles behind) reportedly experienced the same situation (Operator,
IMB).
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5. SRI LANKA: Sea battle between Sri Lankan Navy and LTTE, cadres killed 24 Nov 07,
0815 local time, Vedithalitvu, North of Mannar. Six LTTE boats deployed from Vedithaltivu
mingled with fishing boats and launched an attack targeting the Pesalai police station. Naval
troops from the ground and sea successfully repelled the sea Tigers Medium Caliber attack
towards the station. The fight lasted two hours. Seventeen LTTE cadres were killed and many
more injured (LM: defence.lk, dailynews.lk).
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I. RED SEA: No current incidents to report.
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J. PERSIAN GULF: No current incidents to report.
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K. SOUTHEAST ASIA:
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1. INDONESIA: Product tanker boarded 29 Nov 07 at 0530 local time in position 03:51N098:48E, SBM Belawan. Duty quartermaster onboard the vessel noticed two robbers hiding
under the windlass. The Duty Officer was informed and mustered the crew. The robbers jumped
overboard and escaped in a boat waiting below. Nothing was stolen but it appeared that the
robbers tried to lower the fire wire (IMB).
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2. INDONESIA: Yacht (DILAN) reported suspicious approach 09 Sep 07 at 1145 local time
in position 01:54.1N-106:31.49E, 48NM southeast of Pulau Repong, per 05 Dec 07 reporting.
The vessel reported two speedboats with an unknown number of men onboard and believed to be
armed and were trailing her at close proximity. Suspicious of their intention, the vessel
broadcasted the incident via the VHF radio. The master of a container ship (HUB TRADER)
received the report on its VHF radio and relayed the incident to the Singapore Port Operations
Control Centre (POCC). The POCC, upon receipt of the relay, informed the Maritime Rescue
and Coordination Centre (MRCC) Jakarta about the incident and made navigational broadcast of
the incident on the NAVTEX and SAFETYNET system (ReCAAP).
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3. INDONESIA: Chemical tanker boarded 19 Nov 07 at 0100 local time while underway in
position 03:13.0N -105:23.0E, off Mangkai Island. Duty oiler on board the vessel noticed one
pirate with a gun in hand on the poop deck. The duty officer was informed and the alarm was
raised. All crew mustered and all lights were switched on. Search of the vessel revealed no one
onboard. The duty officer noticed an unlit craft moving away from the vessel (IMB).
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L. NORTH ASIA: No current incidents to report.
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M. PACIFIC-ANTARCTIC OCEAN: No current incidents to report.
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N. ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC NON-STATE ACTIVIST GROUPS:
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1. SEA SHEPHERD: Sea Shepherd’s two month campaign Operation MIGALOO will
commence 28 Nov 07, Southern Ocean. Beginning 28 Nov 07, Captain Watson and his
volunteer crew will leave for the Southern Ocean and should arrive in an international whale
sanctuary before the Japanese fleet. The radical conservation group says it’ll do everything in its
power to stop the Japanese from killing more than 1000 whales, including ramming the whaling
ships if necessary to try to stop the whalers (REUTERS, AAP, LM).
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2. GREENPEACE: Greenpeace vessel (ESPERANZA) attempts to track the Japanese
whaling fleet, 18 Nov 07, Antarctic Ocean. Japan’s whaling fleet consisted of four vessels,
which departed Shiomnoseki port to hunt famed humpback whales. Japan’s whaling fleet insists
that killing 950 whales or more, including 50 humpbacks is for research. The (ESPERANZA)
waited outside of Japanese coastal waters and will try to track the whalers to Antarctic waters
and use non-violent tactics to stop the hunters (AFP, UPI, LM: chron.com).
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3. GREENPEACE: Greenpeace activists attempt to block shipment 25 Nov 07 in the
evening, Porvoo, Finland. Protestors aboard approximately five rubber boats were attempting to
block a ship carrying 9,000-10,000 tons of palm oil from reaching the company’s Kilpilahti
refinery. Police and the Coast Guard eventually forced the boats used by the environmentalists
back to shore, and a total of 33 activists from different countries were arrested. According to
Greenpeace, the police removed the fuel tanks from three of their boats on land and then the
Coast Guard towed one of the boats ashore (LM: allheadlinenews.com, YLE Uutiset).
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4. GREENPEACE: Greenpeace activists attempt to stop tanker (DOROUSSA) from
transporting palm oil, per 23 Nov 07 reporting, Rotterdam port, Netherlands. Environmentalists
have chained themselves to the containers on the vessel to prevent the unloading of Indonesian
palm oil. About six rubber speedboats brought the 20 protestors to the vessel. The vessel is
destined for the company Vopak in Vlaardingen to unload its cargo (LM: Expatica).
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5. GREENPEACE: Tanker (MT WESTAMA) was blocked while at berth by Greenpeace
activists 16 Nov 07, Dumai, Sumatra Island, Indonesia. Activists reportedly anchored the
Greenpeace vessel (RAINBOW WARRIOR) beside the (MT WESTAMA) blocking the vessel
from leaving its berth destined for India with its palm oil cargo. The protest aimed to highlight
the role palm oil plays in driving global deforestation and peatland destruction, which are major
contributors to climate change. The vessel was finally able to depart from its birth on 18 Nov 07
(LM: REUTERS, AFP).
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6. GREENPEACE: Activists blocked shipment 14 Nov 07 at port Tarragona in
northeastern Spain. Activists blocked a shipment of coal in a protest over climate change.
Police arrested six protestors along with four journalists and press photographers in
Greenpeace’s motorized inflatable boats. Other Greenpeace activists attached themselves to
cranes offloading some of the 155,000 tons of coal from the ship. The protest was still
continuing in the early afternoon. About 20 Greenpeace activists took part in the protest,
aimed at drawing attention to the burning of coal as a source of greenhouse gas emissions (AFP).
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6. Originator of this WWTTS report requests consumer feedback.
Originator will incorporate all anti-shipping events and violence
against the maritime industry into this weekly message where
appropriate. The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) can be contacted
via message traffic at ONI WASHINGTON DC//11// or, the ONI
violence at sea (VAS) desk may be contacted at comm. phone
(301) 669-4905 or via e-mail at dpearl@nmic.navy.mil.
//