Weekly Maritime Security Report

2017-01-19

Weekly Maritime Security Report

East Africa and the Indian Ocean

Somalia: Galmudug maritime force detains 40 for illegal fishing

10 January

The deputy commander of Galmudug marine forces, Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed, said that local forces seized a Yemeni fishing boat and detained 39 Yemeni nationals and one Somali national for illegally fishing off Galmudug. Ahmed said that a gunfight ensued on the boat during the arrest, injuring two sailors.

PGI Analysis: Illegal fishing remains a major problem in Somali waters and was a leading cause of the rise of Somali pirate networks ahead of the 2008-2012 piracy epidemic. The incident follows the withdrawal of NATO naval forces in the High Risk Area in December 2016, which has raised concerns that the reduction of forces guarding the region could leave it vulnerable to a resurgence of piracy, particularly as many of the original causes of Somali piracy remain a problem, such as illegal fishing and a lack of economic opportunities in Somalia.

Southeast Asia

China: Assailants board bulk carrier at Jingtang Anchorage

29 December

According to a late report, two suspected robbers boarded a UK-flagged bulk carrier anchored at Jingtang Anchorage in Sichuan province at 0245 hrs local time. Crew mustered and raised the alarm, causing the assailants to flee empty-handed. The incident was reported to Jingtang Vessel Traffic Services.

PGI Analysis: Thefts are not frequently reported at Chinese ports, although port authorities at Tianjin have warned of a rise in thefts at ports during the months of December, January and February. The rise is likely a result of high waves interfering with radar detection systems and reduced patrols due to freezing temperatures.

Indonesia: Robbers board oil tanker at Dumai Anchorage

29 December

According to a late report, two suspected robbers boarded a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker via the poop deck and attempted to break into the steering gear room at 0701 hrs local time at Dumai Anchorage. Crew spotted the assailants and raised the alarm, prompting both robbers to flee into a nearby motor boat. No goods were reported stolen as a result of the incident.

Malaysia: Assailant steals ship stores from tanker at Sandakan Port

17 January

A robber stole ship stores from a product tanker berthed at Mowtas Oil terminal at Sandakan Port in Sabah state at 0330 hrs local time. The robbery took place during cargo operations, and upon sighting by the crew, the assailant escaped with the stolen goods.

PGI Analysis: Petty thefts are common at Southeast Asian anchorages, particularly overnight or during the early hours of the morning when visibility is low. The majority of incidents are non-violent, although there have been increasing reports of violent, armed robberies targeting vessels in the region in which assailants have assaulted crew members. The incidents underscore the continuation of criminality at anchorages in the region and the need for continued vigilance.

Bangladesh: Vessel sinks in Bay of Bengal

13 January

A coal-carrying vessel, the MV Aij Gati, sank at 0800 hrs local time in the Bay of Bengal due to high levels of turbulence. The rough sea hindered rescue efforts but the 12 crewmen were reported rescued by a vessel sailing in the region at the time. The ship reportedly sank due to a hull breach after hitting shallow bottom around the seventh fairway. Several activist groups have called for the closure of the route due to the high risk of transit, with another coal vessel sinking in the region in March 2016.

China: Smog causes cargo build-up outside Tianjin, Caofeidian ports

13 January

Heavy smog has caused major congestion at key ports such as Tianjin and Caofeidian, with hundreds of vessels carrying coal and iron ore stranded, Reuters reported. Ports in northern China have repeatedly suspended loading activity over the past month due to high pollution levels since December 2016, leaving at least 100 dry bulk carriers waiting to offload cargo at Tianjin, data from Thomson Reuters showed. At northeast Chinese ports, including Dalian, the number of dry-bulkers waiting to deliver has risen to around 300 as power stations and steel mills take in orders to meet heating demand during the coldest time of the year, Reuters reported. The delays are also costing shippers thousands of dollars in extra shipping fees and resulting in a shortage of certain materials such as coal.

Indonesia: Jakarta, Tokyo agree to boost maritime security ties

15 January

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo agreed to boost coordination on maritime security during a visit by Abe to Jakarta. Abe also said Japan would increase infrastructure investment in Indonesia, including the building of a new port and railway. In particular, the sides agreed to coordinate defence of the Natuna Islands, at the southern edge of the South China Sea, which have become a hotspot for clashes between Indonesian coast guard and Chinese paramilitary fishing vessels. Both Indonesia and Japan have experienced increased tensions with China in recent years over disputed maritime boundaries.

Iran: Maersk Line expands foothold in country

10 January

Danish container shipping company Maersk Line has added the Iranian Port of Bushehr to its services, expanding its presence in the country. The company has deployed Inter Sydney, a 3,400 TEU containership, in the service. With a total throughput of 6.3 mn tonnes, the Port of Bushehr has a short marine distance to ports in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain. Maersk Line said its services also include the Iranian Port of Bandar Abbas.

Libya: Eight migrants found dead after migrant boat capsizes

15 January

Italian coast guard have said they found the bodies of at least eight migrants who died after their boat capsized off Libya. The death toll may turn out to be much higher, after four people were found alive about 50 km off the coast. The incident is the latest maritime accident amid the massive wave of refugees fleeing Africa and the Middle East to Europe since 2014, often by very dangerous Mediterranean crossings.

New Zealand: Lyttelton Port warns of disruption during upcoming strikes

15 January

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch said it expected significant disruption during upcoming strikes by unionised port workers, planned for 21-22 January and 28-29 January, over working terms and conditions. The chief executive of the port Peter Davie said container vessel operations at the port would be suspended during the strikes.

North Korea: Sea-borne military radar to monitor Pyongyang missile tests

11 January

The sea-borne X-band radar (SBX), a high-tech US military radar, has reportedly left Hawaii and will reach its destination near North Korea by the end of January with the aim of monitoring Pyongyang’s controversial ballistic missile tests. The SBX is able to differentiate hostile missiles from those not considered to be a threat, and US Defence Secretary Ash Carter has said the US will only shoot down North Korean missiles deemed to be a threat. The deployment of SBX follows that of the THAAD missile defence system, installed in South Korea in late 2016.

Philippines: Duterte orders forces to “blow up” kidnappers and captives

15 January

President Rodrigo Duterte has warned that kidnappers and their captives will be “blown up” in response to the spate of kidnappings against both commercial vessels and fishermen in the Sulu and Celebes Seas. Duterte said that the resulting loss of civilian life would be “collateral damage” and advised seafarers to avoid getting kidnapped in the first place. Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf are behind the kidnappings, which began in March 2016, although they only turned to targeting commercial vessels in October 2016.

Philippines: Anti-piracy body warns merchant ships over attacks

14 January

The intergovernmental information sharing body, the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), warned that pirates are increasingly targeting commercial vessels in the Sulu and Celebes seas after a spate of kidnap for ransom attacks in the region since March 2016. Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has shifted to targeting merchant vessels since October 2016, demonstrating the group’s increased capabilities to attack targets that are perceived to solicit larger ransoms.

Saudi Arabia: Member states broaden regional piracy agreement

16 January

States party to the regional counter-piracy agreement, the Djibouti Code of Conduct, agreed to broaden its scope beyond piracy and armed robbery to cover other illegal activities including terrorism at sea, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and human trafficking, following a meeting in Jeddah on 10-12 January. The amendment aims to boost the “blue economy”, which includes commercial shipping, fisheries and tourism by guarding against such crimes in the western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden through increased cooperation. The announcement comes amid ongoing concerns over illegal fishing off Somalia, which is a major driver of piracy in the region, and a suspected failed terror attack against a commercial vessel off Yemen in October 2016.

Tanzania: Ferry capsizes in storm, killing 12

11 January

The Zanzibar Maritime Authority director, Abdullah Hussein, said that a ferry capsized off Tanga due to a storm, leaving 12 people dead. Police said that more than 40 people were rescued. It is possible the death toll could rise as Hussein said that up to 60 people were on board the ferry.

Venezuela: Pirates steal from tanker at Jose Terminal

15 January

Two robbers boarded an anchored LPG tanker via the anchor chain at 0215 hrs local time at Jose Terminal. The robbers took hostage the duty able seaman on the forecastle, tied him up and threatened him with a knife. They then removed the hawse pipe cover and four more robbers boarded the tanker. The robbers took the seaman’s mobile phone, stole the ship’s properties and escaped. The seaman managed to free himself and informed bridge, who raised the alarm, prompting the crew to muster.

Vietnam: Hanoi, Beijing to “manage” their differences over South China Sea

14 January

According to a communique issued during Vietnam Communist party chief Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Beijing, Vietnam and China have agreed to manage their differences and maintain peace over the South China Sea. Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua said the two sides had candid discussions over the issue of jurisdiction of some areas of the disputed sea, and that both agreed to avoid actions which would escalate tensions. The development comes as Vietnam builds up its military power through partnerships with other regional allies in order to secure its 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone.

Source: Protection Vessels International

Source from : International Shipping News

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