Southeast Asia

Indonesia: Armed robbers steal from tanker at Dumai Inner Anchorage 9 September

Four assailants armed with knives stole ship’s spares from a tanker’s engine room at 0345 hrs local time, while it was anchored at Dumai Inner Anchorage, Sumatra. Crew on duty rounds raised the alarm upon sighting the robbers, causing the criminals to escape via the steering gear room with the ship’s spares.

Indonesia: Armed assailants board bulk carrier in Dumai 6 September

Four armed robbers boarded a bulk carrier anchored in the Dumai Inner Anchorage in Indonesia, entering the engine room through the funnel door at 2335 hrs local time. The thieves held the oiler manager hostage at knife point, tied him up, and fled after stealing engine spares. The manager raised the alarm after freeing himself. None of the crew members were injured.

PVI Analysis: Armed robberies at Dumai Anchorage have resumed in the third quarter of 2016 after a lull in reported attacks in the first half of this year. Some of the attacks have been violent in nature, with assailants threatening crew members with knives. Attacks tend to take place at night when robbers are less likely to be seen.

Malaysia: Assailants kidnap three fishermen off Sabah 9 September

Seven suspected Filipino gunmen kidnapped a skipper and two crewmembers from a fishing trawler anchored off the Malaysian tourist resort island of Pom Pom in Semporna, off the coast of Sabah. The incident took place at 2240 hrs local time when seven gunmen, speaking a Filipino dialect called Bajau used by residents of the Sulu Sea area, boarded the Semporna-registered Puteri vessel while it was anchored off Pulau Gaya. The assailants robbed the 16 crew of their phones and valuables and assaulted one crewmember before kidnapping the three crewmembers.

PVI Analysis: Details of the attack indicate it was perpetrated by Philippines Islamist group Abu Sayyaf (ASG), as it took place in the same region as similar kidnappings committed by ASG and the dialect spoken by the gunmen was the same as that of the militants. The latest incident comes amid a wave of kidnappings-for-ransom by ASG, which is based in the Sulu islands of Jolo and Basilan, and which has prompted joint regional patrols and restrictions on the routes which tugs can take through the Sulu and Celebes seas. West Africa

Nigeria: Pirates hijack boat, kill four policemen in Rivers state 6 September

Armed pirates hijacked a gunboat belonging to the marine police and shot dead four personnel off Abonnema community in the Akuku-Toru local government area of Nigeria’s Rivers State. The pirates escaped with the boat and it remains unclear whether they were affiliated to a known militant group.

PVI Analysis: The attack comes amid ongoing security operations in the state, and the Niger Delta more widely, as part of operation Crocodile Smile that targets armed criminal gangs and kidnapping rings. The operation has increased the risk of reprisal attacks, which are frequently fatal, by armed groups in the region.

Select Maritime News

Australia: Authorities seize Hanjin ship in Sydney 12 September

Authorities have impounded a Hanjin-chartered vessel in Glebe dock in Sydney after Glencore Singapore won a Federal Court order to seize the vessel over debt owed for bunkering fuel. The move comes after South Korean Hanjin Shipping Co filed for bankruptcy, leading to ports and cargo handlers refusing to work with Hanjin vessels over fears of non-payment. A US court granted Hanjin provisional protection from US creditors on 9 September, enabling some vessels to unload at US ports.

China: Air force conducts exercises in Pacific 12 September

The Chinese air force said that bombers, fighters, and early warning and aerial refuelling aircraft flew through the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan and the Philippines in two exercises in the Western Pacific. The “routine” drills were meant to “meet the needs to maintaining national sovereignty, protecting national security and guaranteeing peaceful development,” the air force said. The development comes amid China’s increasingly aggressive stance over its territorial claims in the East and South China Seas.

China: Beijing, Moscow hold military drills in South China Sea 12 September

China and Russia began an eight-day joint military exercise in the South China Sea, which will include a focus on “seizing and controlling” islands and shoals, Chinese navy spokesman Liang Yang said. The exercises – which will take place off the coast of Zhanjiang city in the southern province of Guangdong – will involve surface ships, submarines, fixed-wing aircraft, ship-borne helicopters, marine corps, and amphibious armoured equipment from both navies. The development follows an international tribunal ruling in July which dismissed China’s historical territorial claims in the South China Sea.

El Salvador: Authorities seize 658 kg of cocaine from vessel on Pacific 9 September

Salvadoran police confiscated 658 kg of cocaine after they intercepted two boats on the country’s Pacific coast near San Miguel department. Four Hondurans, two Colombians and two Ecuadoreans were also arrested in the operation. According to police figures, officials have seized 7,216 kg of drugs so far this year.

France: Port workers to strike on 15 September over labour reforms 12 September

Port workers belonging to the CGT trade union will join a nationwide strike planned for 15 September in opposition to labour reforms. The strike is likely to disrupt ports as well as oil and gas shipments to and from France. Other port strikes in recent months have provoked panic buying and led to serious disruption, resulting in fuel shortages.

Ghana: Tema Port expansion to commence in October 8 September

Meridian Port Services are due to start work on a USD 1.5 bn expansion project at Tema Port to construct four deep-water berths, a new breakwater, a 1.4 km quay to accommodate larger vessels and a train terminal. The expansion, which is partly funded by the World Bank, is expected to increase annual throughput capacity of the port by a further 3.5 mn twenty foot equivalent units, and improve trade flows across West Africa.

Greece: Migration organisation reports drop in migrant arrivals, rise in deaths during 2016 6 September

The International Organisation for Migration reported that up until 4 September, 288,005 migrants and refugees arrived in Europe during 2016, compared with 518,181 in the period from 1 January until 30 September 2015. Deaths during the period have risen, however, with 3,176 reported in 2016 compared to 2,924 in 2015. Most of the arrivals have been in Greece and Italy.

Greece: Coast guard seizes 920 kg of cannabis on speedboat near Messolonghi 6 September

The coast guard pursued a speedboat off the western coast following a tip-off it was carrying drugs. The only man on board beached the vessel near the town of Messolonghi and escaped on foot, and 920 kg of cannabis was found on board. Western Greece is a popular smuggling route for cannabis grown in Albania and bound for Western Europe.

Guatemala: Authorities seize 804 kg of narcotics on boat in Pacific 8 September

Antinarcotics agents seized 804 kg of an unspecified drug after intercepting a motorboat on the country’s Pacific coast. Two Ecuadoreans and one Colombian were also detained in the operation. Officials did not specify which country the boat had come from. According to police statistics, 10,086 kg of drugs have been seized in the country so far this year.

India: Paradip port strike fails to disrupt cargo operations 7 September

A strike called by employees and contracted workers at Paradip port over pay and conditions had no impact on cargo operations as the majority of employees continued to work. Port authorities had requested the police and local authorities to ban protesters from blocking the main gate, forcing striking workers to stage the sit-in outside the port authority’s office, causing no significant disruption to port operations.

Iran: Tehran denies harassing US navy ships in Gulf 12 September

Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri, deputy chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, has publicly denied claims from the US that its patrol ships in the Gulf were harassed by Iranian navy vessels on 4 September. According to Washington, seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps fast-attack boats approached the USS Firebolt with machine guns uncovered, marking the fifth incident since August of alleged Iranian maritime aggression against US vessels. Tehran has said its vessels acted within international law and claimed Washington’s accusations are anti-Iran propaganda.

Iran: Officials announce new oil terminal, pipeline to be completed by year-end 6 September

A senior official at the National Iranian Oil Company announced that a new oil terminal and pipeline near Kharg Island would be completed by the end of 2016. The facilities will be able to export a new grade of crude known as West Kharoon, similar to Basra Heavy Crude. The terminal is expected to boost Iran’s oil exports, though it comes amid tensions between Tehran and the West over the failure of the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions in January to result in anticipated growth in trade and inward investment.

Italy: Coastguard reports rescue of 2,300 migrants in Mediterranean 10 September

According to Italy’s coastguard, some 2,300 people were rescued while trying to reach the country on the Mediterranean. A Spanish ship, an Irish naval vessel and several humanitarian boats took part in the rescue operations. The rescues come after a large wave of migrants arrived in Italy at the end of August, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, when more than 14,000 people were rescued in five days.

Kenya: Oil boat explosion injures three at Kisumu Port 9 September

Three Tanzanians suffered serious injuries after a ship they were using to transport fuel burst into flames at Kisumu Port. Police said the captain of the Tanzania bound vessel was trying to ignite the engine when it burst into flames after loading oil at Kisumu.

Libya: Update: Eastern government forces extend control over key ports 12 September

Forces loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar, who is allied to the eastern government and leads a force known as the Libyan National Army, has extended his control over the key ports of Brega and Zueitina after having taken control of Es Sider and Ras Lanuf of 11 September. The National Oil Corporation in Tripoli confirmed losing control of Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, though the situation in Brega and Zueitina has not been independently verified. The attacks on the major oil ports could damage efforts by the UN-backed unity government to restart oil production and exports, which would improve the unity government’s finances at a time when it is struggling to maintain control of institutions.

For analysis of the continued instability in Libya, see PGI’s insight here.

Libya: Coast guard arrests German charity group’s speedboat off Zawia 11 September

Libyan coast guard vessels seized a speedboat belonging to German charity group Sea-Eye – which carries out rescues of migrants in the Mediterranean – off Zawia for infringing territorial waters. The speedboat reportedly tried to escape the coast guard vessels, which fired warning shots. The vessel was carrying hundreds of water bottles and life vests. According to a Navy spokesperson, the German group claimed its speedboat driver fell asleep and did not realise the speedboat had drifted into Libyan waters. The two German nationals on board the boat are set to be released by the authorities after being detained for two days.

Mozambique: Robbers board oil tanker at Beira port 6 September

Thieves boarded a berthed crude oil tanker in Mozambique’s Beira port and stole some of the ship’s stores. The crew raised the alarm at 0350 hrs local time, although the robbers escaped.

Nigeria: Government to harmonise operations at ports to reduce corruption 7 September

The Federal Ministry of Transportation announced plans to launch the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedure and the Port Service Support Portal to tackle corruption and increase efficiency at seaports. The portal will first be implemented at Apapa port, although a timescale for the project has not been disclosed. The measures are part of a drive to improve Nigeria’s business environment in a bid to mitigate the ongoing economic downturn.

Panama: Panama Canal says it will not engage in price war with Suez Canal 8 September

The administrator of the Panama Canal says it aims to remain competitive, but will not raise tolls or engage in a price war with Egypt’s Suez Canal. Officials at the Suez recently launched discounts of up to 65 percent, which has led many ships travelling to and from the US East Coast to return to Asia via the Suez Canal instead of through the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal established new tolls in April and has ruled out raising them. Since the expansion of the canal was inaugurated in June, 165 ships have passed through the new third set of locks.

Philippines: Manila to allow Indonesia to enter waters to target pirates 9 September

President Rodrigo Duterte said he would allow Indonesian maritime authorities to enter Philippine waters in their efforts to catch pirates. The heightened risk of piracy and kidnapping in the Sulu and Sulawesi seas has prompted Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia to launch joint coordinated patrols and set up crisis centres in their respective countries to better respond to emergencies.

Philippines: Coast Guard seizes guns at Masbate port 8 September

Coast Guard police seized at least 20 unlicensed firearms from a ferry ship at Masbate port. The guns were discovered at the entrance of the port in Barangay Bapor around 2100 hrs local time when a man named Celso Monleon failed to present documents for the firearms which were hidden in boxes. The Philippines has a high concentration of firearms, which are not illegal but controlled, though the incidence of gun smuggling is high due to high number of non-state armed groups, especially in Mindanao.

Somalia: Operator to develop Somaliland port 6 September

Authorities awarded port and terminal operator DP World a 30-year concession, with a 10-year automatic extension, to manage and develop Berbera port in Somaliland. DP World plans to invest USD 442 mn in expanding the port, although the scale of the project will depend on port volumes, according to a company statement. Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and although it is not recognised as a state internationally, it performs significantly better than the rest of Somalia in terms of security and providing public services.

South Korea: Hanjin collapse leaves cargo stranded 8 September

The collapse of South Korean Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd has left tens of vessels stranded, with approximately USD 14 bn worth of goods on board, much of which belongs to Samsung Electronics. A US Department of Agriculture report said the company’s bankruptcy was likely to cause between two to three months of disruption at ports, as cargo handlers and tug boat operators are refusing to work for Hanjin over fears of non-payment. Samsung has launched a case with a US court to allow it to directly pay cargo handlers to remove their goods from Hanjin vessels. The incident comes during the peak shipping period.

South Korea: Court asks Hanjin Shipping’s lead creditor for funds 7 September

A South Korean court presiding over the rehabilitation process of Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd has asked Korea Development Bank, the firm’s lead creditor, for fresh funds, Reuters reported. Hanjin Shipping’s parent firm said on 6 September that it plans to raise USD 90 mn to fund the unloading of cargo worth nearly USD 14 bn aboard vessels stranded around the world in the wake of its court receivership filing on 31 August. However, the court said that it was not clear how long it would take the parent company to raise the money and that the targeted funds fell short of the amount Hanjin Shipping needs. On 5 September, the shipping firm said it would seek bankruptcy protection in more than 40 countries to protect its fleet from being repossessed.

Ukraine: Kiev claims Russian military harassing patrol vessel in Black Sea 8 September

The Ukrainian State Border Service has claimed that Russian Navy vessels and aircraft harassed a Ukrainian Sea Guard patrol in the Black Sea near gas rigs which were acquired by Russian firms after the 2014 Crimean annexation. Ukraine has claimed that Russian drilling activities on the Holitsynske and Odeske gas fields are a violation of international law as they lie within Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone. Two Russian Black Sea Fleet ships and a Sukhoi Su-24 bomber allegedly approached the Ukrainian patrol vessel in a threatening manner, according to Kiev.

United States: Update: Hanjin receives US court order to unload ships 9 September

A US judge signed an order granting South Korea’s Hanjin Shipping provisional protection from creditors in the US, enabling some vessels to dock and unload at ports in the country. The collapse of the company, which filed for receivership in a Seoul court last week, has left tens of vessels stranded, with approximately USD 14 bn worth of goods on board. Hanjin’s collapse has caused delays in global trade networks and a surge in freight rates, as more than half of the company’s 141 ships have been blocked from docking at ports.

United States: Houston Ship Channel briefly shut after tanker fire 6 September

The Houston Ship Channel was closed for 14 hours following a tanker fire and fuel spill. The accident occurred when the Aframax River vessel hit an object, possibly a submerged sewer line, in the water near the Intercontinental Terminals Company around midnight local time, causing the fuel tank to puncture. The cause of the fire, which reached as high as 60 m, was not immediately confirmed. According to the US Coast Guard, only a light sheen from bunker fuel, a type of diesel, was seen in the channel following the incident.

Source: Protection Vessels International