Protection Vessels International Releases Latest Piracy Weekly Report
Protection Vessels International releases latest piracy weekly report
India: Pirates rob bulk carrier at Kandla Anchorage
11 January Robbers stole ship’s properties from an anchored Panama-flagged bulk carrier in Kandla OTB Anchorage, northwest India, at approximately 2030 hrs local time. The theft occurred during cargo operations and was later discovered when crew were securing the deck. The incident marks the sixth report of criminal activity at Kandla anchorage since January 2015 as opportunistic thieves continue to target vessels in the anchorage. Iran: State television reports release of US sailors detained on 12 January
13 January Iranian state media reported the release of 10 US sailors detained on 12 January for entering into Iran’s territorial waters in the Arabian/Persian Gulf. According to a statement, the sailors unintentionally entered Iranian waters and were freed after apologising. The US military subsequently confirmed the reports. PVI Comment: There is a strong precedent of the Iranian navy making arrests of foreign commercial and military vessels that stray into its waters without authorisation. The brief detention of US service personnel comes days ahead of the expected implementation of the July 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers, which likely played significant factor in Tehran’s cooperation in releasing the sailors so quickly. Saudi Arabia: Fishermen report increase in piracy off Jubail
15 January Fishermen in Jubail reported an increase in piracy near the Saudi-Iran maritime border, causing a number of fishermen to stop fishing since the beginning of January. Further details of the piracy activities were not immediately disclosed. PVI Comment: Official reports of piracy in the Arabian Gulf are rare due to a lack of reporting channels. The reports follow an incident in May 2015 when a fisherman was killed by pirates in the same region after departing from Jubail port. There is no indication the incidents pose any threat to commercial shipping in the Arabian Gulf. Yemen: Suicide bomb attack kills 11 in Aden
17 January A suicide bomber rammed a bus carrying explosives into the home of Aden’s police chief at around 1700 hrs local time, killing two of his guards and nine passers-by. The intended target, ShalalShaei, was not harmed in the blast in Aden’s al Tawahi district. The attack marks the second attempt to kill Shaei in recent weeks following a similar car bomb in Aden in December 2015.
PVI Comment: It was not clear who was responsible for the assassination attempt but the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) have a presence in Aden. The suicide bombing is the latest attack in Aden that has seen an upsurge in assassinations targeting security officials since government forces resumed control of the city in July 2015. The port area has also seen an increase in fighting since 3 January, when pro-government militia handed over the port to government forces, leading to clashes over the control of smuggling routes at the port. Yemen: Suspicious skiffs approach tanker in Gulf of Aden
12 January A large fishing vessel deployed three high-speed skiffs, which approached an underway tanker in the Gulf of Aden. The approach prompted the master to increase speed and onboard security showed their weapons, causing the skiffs to change direction. No weapons or ladders were sighted on board the skiffs and the vessel was later reported safe. PVI Comment: Suspicious skiffs have been sighted off Yemen on several occasions in the past year and crew are often forced to take evasive measures to deter an approach. However, reported robberies or hijackings off Yemen are rare since 2012 and many of the suspicious approaches are thought to be non-threatening. Southeast Asia Indonesia: Army to deploy additional forces, weapons to eastern outer islands
13 January The Indonesian military said it would deploy more personnel and weapons to protect the eastern outer islands, a measure that would help prevent smuggling, sea crimes, incursions and other threats to Indonesian sovereignty in maritime border areas. Initial deployments would focus on the outer islands near Maluku and Papua, although the number of personnel was not disclosed. PVI Comment: The deployment indicates authorities are now prioritising counter-piracy measures following dismissive comments from Indonesia’s Navy in October that most piracy reports were faked for insurance purposes. Indonesia: Armed pirates rob offshore support vessel in Galang Anchorage
14 January Four armed pirates stole ship’s stores from an offshore support vessel in Galang Anchorage, Batam. On sighting the assailants, crew raised the alarm and mustered, prompting the robbers to flee. PVI Comment: Opportunistic thieves are known to operate around Batam and the incident marks the seventh reported robbery at sea, or attempted robbery, off Batam since January 2015. Philippines: Customs brokers hold three-day strike in Manila port
15 January A group of approximately 400 customs brokers at Manila South Harbour began a three-day strike to protest against the Terminal Appointment Booking System, implemented by operator Asian Terminal Inc. PVI Comment: The strike was expected to prevent the movement of around 3,000 shipping containers at the port, although it was not expected to cause significant port congestion because the volume of shipments coming in was lower than during previous years. Sri Lanka: Government gives navy strict orders to arrest illegal Indian fishermen
13 January Sri Lanka’s Navy and Coast Guard were given strict instructions to seize more than 500 Indian fishing boats that were violating Sri Lankan territorial waters to engage in illegal bottom trawling. The decision to increase the arrests of Indian fishermen was made after a meeting with Sri Lankan fishermen, who claim they are unable to make a living fishing in northern waters due to the Indian fishermen’s activities. The government said it would not release fishing boats or equipment after they are seized. PVI Comment: Sri Lankan authorities routinely arrest Indian fishermen for violating the International Maritime Boundary Line, frequently resulting in diplomatic disputes between the two countries. The warnings mean there is a likelihood of increased patrols between the two countries, particularly in the Palk Strait. Vietnam: Foreign vessel sinks fishing boat near Paracels
13 January An unidentified foreign vessel allegedly rammed and sank a Vietnamese fishing boat near the Lin Con Island of the contested Paracel archipelago. The incident occurred at 1400 hrs when the foreign vessel crashed into the fishing boat, which was carrying eight crewmembers, about 60 nm southeast of Lin Con. The fishermen were rescued from the water by another fishing boat. According to the fishermen it is likely the foreign vessel was Chinese. PVI Comment: The incident comes amid growing tensions around the disputed Paracel and Spratly islands, which are also claimed by Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. West Africa Nigeria: Armed assailants attack passenger vessel in Bayelsa state
15 JanuaryArmed assailants attacked a passenger vessel and abducted 16 passengers and two crew between Brass and Port Harcourt in Bayelsa and Rivers states at around 0900 hrs local time. Unconfirmed reports indicated that the vessel was operating under the Agip oil firm.PVI Comment: Attacks by armed gangs on passenger boats are common in the Niger Delta, as they are often viewed as a soft target. Many of the vessels travel without security leaving them vulnerable to attack. Nigeria: Pirates attack fishing trawler off Bayelsa State
13 January Heavily armed pirates attacked a fishing trawler on Dodo River, off the coast of Bayelsa State. The captain and chief engineer on board the vessel were reported to have been abducted, though nothing was stolen from the vessel. PVI Comment: Attacks on vessels travelling in the waterways off Bayelsa State are common and precautionary security measures are recommended for vessels underway in the Niger Delta. Nigeria: Pirates chase, board vessel near Lagos
12 January A motorboat with four or five people on board chased a vessel in the Lagos Secure Anchorage Area at 0030 local time. The vessel called for assistance from a naval patrol boat, which instructed the ship to stop and wait for assistance. While the vessel was stopped at around 0100 hrs local time, the men reportedly boarded her rudder trunk, until they escaped in their motorboat around 30 minutes later. The vessel’s crew did not report any stolen items. PVI Comment: The incident underscores the risk to vessels from criminals and the naval patrol’s slow response, even near major ports. Pirate gangs have frequently targeted vessels as they approach Lagos Secure Anchorage Area, highlighting the need for crew alertness for the duration of transits through Nigeria’s territorial waters. Nigeria: Pirates board berthed product tanker at Apapa Port
29 December Pirates boarded a berthed product tanker at Apapa Port, Lagos State. The assailants were attempting to use a small hose to steal the vessel’s cargo but once sighted they fled the vessel. Nothing was stolen from the ship and there were no reports of injuries as a result of the attack. PVI Comment: There are infrequent reports of pirate activity at Apapa Port, although many boardings and robberies are thought to go unreported.
Source: ProtectionVessels International