East Africa and the Indian Ocean

Somalia: Tehran says pirates free eight Iranian fishermen after kidnapping at sea

14 February

An Iranian MP said eight Iranian fishermen had been released from captivity after successful negotiations between the Senegalese embassy in Somalia and the pirate captors. The fishermen were abducted from their vessels off the coast of Galgadud, central Somalia, in May 2016.

PGI Analysis: Tehran blamed the kidnapping on Islamist militant group al-Shabaab at the time of the incident and said the vessel had run into technical difficulties, indicating the incursion into Somalia was accidental rather than the result of illegal fishing. Illegal fishing by foreign vessels, including Iranian, Spanish and Yemeni fishing trawlers, remains a major concern for Somali authorities, as it saw the rise of local vigilante groups against the practice, one of the key precursors of the Somali piracy epidemic between 2008-2012.

Southeast Asia

Philippines: Gunmen kill one, kidnap seven crew from vessel near Tawi-Tawi

19 February

Unidentified gunmen boarded the Vietnam-flagged Bulk Carrier MV Giang Hai at 1724 hrs local time and killed one crew member and kidnapped seven others. The attack occurred near Doc Can Island in the south of the Philippines, where the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has a notable presence. The Philippine coastguard and marine soldiers rescued 17 crew members near Baguan Island in Tawi-Tawi.

PGI Analysis: No group immediately claimed the attack and there have been no reports of ransom demands, although the attack was likely perpetrated by ASG militants who have conducted several kidnappings and killings in waters in surrounding areas over the past year. The group has increasingly targeted larger commercial vessels since October 2016, with this attack marking the third successful kidnapping from such vessels. The pattern of attacks indicates ASG are operating off the Sulu Archipelago, where it has a number of hideouts, making it difficult for authorities to track down the perpetrators of attacks and rescue the victims.

West Africa

Cote d’Ivoire: Armed robbers steal from vessel off Abidjan

18 February

A merchant vessel reported that robbers armed with knives boarded and stole two mooring lines from the ship off Abidjan at 2350 hrs local time. Crew reported that robbers threatened them with their weapons, although no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

PGI Analysis: Opportunistic crime is common in Cote d’Ivoire, and robberies targeting vessels are thought to be significantly under-reported, as security provisions at the port of Abidjan are weak due to its lack of police boats. Robbers operating off Abidjan typically target ship’s stores and are often armed, although incidents rarely result in fatalities.

Nigeria: Merchant vessel reports attack off Forcados

19 February

A merchant vessel reported that it came under attack at 0930 hrs local time, 31 nm west-southwest of Forcados, Delta state. No injuries to crew members were reported in the incident.

PGI Analysis: No further details were disclosed and it is unclear whether any shots were fired, with the incident likely to be a failed kidnap for ransom attack. Heavily armed pirates routinely operate off Nigeria’s coastline with the aim of kidnapping crew for ransom. The attack comes after the Russian embassy announced pirates abducted seven Russian nationals and one Ukrainian national from a cargo vessel, owned by Briese Shipping BV, in the region on 8 February.

Select Maritime News

Cote d’Ivoire: US diplomat raises concerns over increasing piracy in West Africa

14 February

Andrew Haviland, charge d’affaires at the US embassy in Ivory Coast’s economic capital Abidjan, said that the US is worried about increasing numbers of pirate attacks in West Africa, and announced the country is willing to provide help to secure the seas. At least 27 attacks on boats, including robberies, kidnappings, or failed attempts, have occurred off the West Africa coast since April 2016, according to the International Maritime Organisation.

China: Officials consider limiting steel, aluminium production over smog

15 February

According to Reuters, the Ministry of Environmental Protection proposed a draft policy which would see increased restrictions on industry to limit pollution. The document would force steel producers to cut output by half and aluminium producers by at least 30 percent in 28 cities nationwide from late-November to late-February. It would also shift coal transport from Tianjin port to Tangshan port, ensuring coal is transported by rail, and restrict the movement of coal by truck at ports in the Hebei province. There was no indication of when the draft proposal would be decided upon.

China: US aircraft carrier conducts patrols in South China Sea

14 February

The US aircraft carrier USS Carl Vincon conducted patrols of the South China Sea amid growing tension with Beijing over its activities in the disputed Spratly and Paracel island chains. The US Navy said the patrols were routine and were part of weeks of training which have improved the crew’s effectiveness and readiness. Rear Admiral James Kilby also said that the Navy looks forward to building on existing strong relationships with partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. China conducted war games in the South China Sea on 17 February.

China: Robbers attempt to steal from carrier at Jingtang Anchorage

14 February

Four robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier and tried to open the port side Marine Diesel Oil manhole at 0910 hrs local time at Jingtang Anchorage. The duty officer raised the alarm and the Ship Security Alert System was activated, prompting the robbers to flee the scene without stealing anything. Crew mustered and a search was carried out.

Ghana: Court to rule on maritime dispute in September

20 February

The Hamburg-based International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will decide on the delimitation of the maritime boundary between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire in late September 2017, following the hearing which began on 6 February. The dispute has hindered the exploitation of large offshore hydrocarbon reserves located in the contested area, as Ghana is prohibited from drilling in the area until the case has been concluded.

Greece: Officials denounce Turkish warship violation near Farmakonisi island

17 February

Greek officials complained that Turkish forces had violated Greek sovereign territory after a Turkish patrol vessel, Kusadasi, conducted live firing exercises east of the Farmakonisi island at around 0700 hrs local time. The Greek vessel Nikiforos cautioned the Turkish vessel and monitored it until it left the area. The Turkish vessel issued a Navtex alerting vessels to the exercise, though Greek officials said that the Navtex was invalid as it was in Greek territorial waters. The incident comes amid increased tensions between Ankara and Athens following repeated accusations of violations of Greek airspace by Turkish aircraft in recent months.

Libya: Pro-Haftar forces intercept South Korean vessel

19 February

Libyan media reported that forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar, the leader of eastern Libya’s armed forces, seized a South Korean commercial vessel bound for Misrata. Twelve Flilipino sailors were on board the vessel, which was taken to Ras al-Hilal port in eastern Libya. Officials claimed that the ship, which was carrying 5,000 cars, was attempting to enter a closed military zone despite several warnings.

Philippines: Jakarta seeks advice ahead of cross-border counterpiracy missions

15 February

Indonesian Consul General Berlian Naitupulu said that their navy was on stand-by ready to respond to piracy threats in international and foreign waters, although it required specific guidelines from Manila over the rules of engagement should security forces need to pursue criminals into Philippine waters. The statement comes after months of repeated statements from Manila, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur over the need for joint maritime patrols to combat the kidnapping threat from Islamic State-affiliated Abu Sayyaf Group in the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea.

Philippines: Tokyo offers Manila anti-piracy assistance

14 February

A senior Philippine defence official said that Japan has offered to send patrol ships to help Manila in its efforts against a surge in piracy in the Sulu and Celebes seas. The Japanese government has denied it offered patrol ships and said it only offered to help with “capacity building”. Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf has kidnapped tens of sailors from the waters between the Philippines and Malaysia since March 2016, and the rise in piracy has forced commercial shipping companies to adjust their routes.

Russia: NATO to boost naval presence in Black Sea

16 February

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg reported the defence alliance will step up naval training, exercises and surveillance in the Black Sea. He insisted that the decision was not intended to be a provocation at a time of heightened tensions with Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014. A NATO official anonymously told AFP the decision was taken to deal with Russia’s military build-up in the Black Sea and to bolster the alliance’s south-eastern flank after it sent troop reinforcements to the Baltic States and Poland.

South Africa: Sewer gas leak kills six at Durban naval base

17 February

Six South African men, including three soldiers, died due to a sewer gas leakage at a naval base in Durban. Workers in the sewage network called for help after initially spotting the leakage. However, the three soldiers that went down into the sewage network to help the workers were overcome by the gas. A further 22 people were also hospitalised for complications related to methane poisoning.

South Korea: Naval unit to join EU counter-piracy operation in March

14 February

The defence ministry said that the Cheonghae Unit of the South Korean Navy, comprising a frigate, Lynx helicopters and special operations forces, will join an EU counter-piracy mission, Operation Atlanta, off the coast of Somalia near Bosaso in March. The move is part of the Korea-EU risk management activity pact, signed in December 2016.

South Korea: Shipbuilders to strike on 22 February over restructuring

20 February

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipbuilders are due to strike between 22-27 February to coincide with a shareholders’ meeting over plans to restructure the firm. Unions have claimed that the controlling shareholder Chung Mong-Joon is planning to transfer company ownership to his son, which they say is illegal in South Korea. HHI announced plans to divide the company into four parts in November 2016, in a bid to boost finances, although the Korean Metal Workers’ Union stated the plan will only benefit senior management.

Sweden: Dockworkers call off Gothenburg port strike

17 February

The Swedish Dockworkers Union (SDU) announced it has cancelled its strike action, which was due to run between 17-28 February at APM’s Gothenburg terminal, after the SDU agreed to meet with the International Dockworkers’ Council on 23 February. The long-running dispute is over changes to working conditions in early 2016, and the issued has caused significant disruption to operations at the terminal due to sporadic strike action.

Ukraine: Authorities to repair port berths nationwide

20 February

The Ukrainian Seaports Authority (USPA) announced it is seeking a contractor to conduct repair works to port berths across the country, after it estimated 80 percent of berths require repairs, including 20 percent which require emergency repairs. The repair works are estimated to cost USD 184 mn and the USPA said it is looking to contract the work to both Ukrainian and international engineering and construction firms.

United States: Local media report Russian intelligence-gathering ship off the coast of Delaware

14 February

According to local media reports, US officials confirmed the sighting of a Russian intelligence-gathering ship 112 km off the coast of Delaware, patrolling in international waters. The ship, the SSV-175 Viktor Leonov last sailed near the US in April 2015. The ship is reportedly capable of intercepting signals and measuring US Navy sonar capabilities. The incident marks the first such sighting since US President Donald Trump took office in January 2017.

Vietnam: Gas leak leaves one dead on Philippine-bound ship

13 February

One person was killed and three others were hospitalised after inhaling toxic fumes aboard the Vietnamese-flagged Vimaru Pearl cargo ship. The ill crew were taken to a hospital after the vessel arrived at Kota Kimbalu Port, Sabah, Malaysia on 13 February. The vessel was bound from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam to Tabaco, Philippines, where it was scheduled to arrive on 14 February. Malaysian authorities have dispatched a team to investigate the cause of the leak.

Source: Protection Vessels International