Weekly Shipping Threat Report

18 May 2020

MARAD 2020-008-Southern Gulf of Mexico-Vessel Attacks issued 11 May 2020. The U.S. Government is aware of at least 20 fishing vessels and 35 oil platforms and offshore supply vessels that have been targeted by pirates and armed robbers since January 2018 in the Bay of Campeche area of the southern Gulf of Mexico. Significant under-reporting of attacks in this area is suspected. These attacks have involved the discharge of firearms, crew injuries, hostage-taking, and theft. At least five of these attacks occurred in April 2020. For additional details see advisory at https:ljwww.maritime.dot.gov/content/2020-008-southern-gulf-mexico-vessel-attacks. Guidance: U.S. mariners and United States-flagged vessels are advised to remain vigilant and to ensure familiarity with and adherence to their approved Vessel Security Plan when operating in this area.

World Wide Summary

GHANA: On 11 May, robbers boarded a cargo vessel berthed at Takoradi Port and stole a life raft.

HAITI: On 10 May, robbers stole an aft mooring line from a berthed bulk carrier in Lafiteau Port.

MOZAMBIQUE: On 10 May, a robber boarded a tanker during cargo operations at Nacala Anchorage.

INDONESIA: On 9 May, five robbers boarded an underway bulk carrier and injured a crew member in the Singapore Straits approximately 13 NM east of Singapore.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA: On 9 May, armed individuals kidnapped three crew members from the Equatorial Guinea-flagged research/survey vessel DJIBLOHO anchored at Luba anchorage.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA: On 9 May, armed individuals kidnapped two crew members from the Comorosflagged general cargo vessel RIO MITONG off Malabo.

CAMEROON: On 9 May, individuals in a speedboat made a suspicious approach on the China-flagged tanker YUAN QIU HU approximately 40 NM west of Limbe.

AREAS OF FOCUS

Gulf of Guinea

BOARDING – GHANA: On 11 May at 0345 UTC, robbers boarded a cargo vessel berthed at Takoradi Port at 04:53N – 001 :44W and stole a life raft. (Clearwater Dynamics, MDAT-GOG)

SUSPICIOUS APPROACH – CAMEROON: On 9 May at 0045LT, individuals in a speedboat approached the underway China-flagged tanker YUAN QIU HU approximately 40 NM west of Limbe at 04:05N – 008:33E. The crew informed authorities who sent a patrol boat to assist the tanker. Upon seeing the patrol boat, the individuals in the speedboat aborted the pursuit. (Clearwater Dynamics, Splash 247)

KIDNAPPING – EQUATORIAL GUINEA: On 9 May at 0300LT, armed individuals in a speedboat approached and boarded the Comoros-flagged general cargo vessel RIO MITONG off Malabo at 03:47N – 008:45E. The armed individuals kidnapped two crew members; unconfirmed reports indicate the hostages were a Russian and Ukrainian. Two crew members that were not kidnapped suffered gunshot wounds. Following the incident, the vessel moved into the Malabo Anchorage. (Clearwater Dynamics, Maritime Executive, defenceWeb)

KIDNAPPING – EQUATORIAL GUINEA: On 9 May at 0300LT, armed individuals in a speedboat boarded the Equatorial Guinea-flagged research/survey vessel DJIBLOHO anchored at Luba anchorage at 03:28N – 008:33E. The armed individuals kidnapped three crew members, reportedly two Russians and one Equatorial Guinean. (Clearwater Dynamics, Seatrade Maritime News, defenceWeb)

Southeast Asia

BOARDING – INDONESIA: On 9 May at 2345LT, five robbers armed with knives boarded a bulk carrier underway in the Traffic Separation Scheme in the Singapore Straits approximately 13 NM east of Singapore at 01 :15.1ON – 104:05.48E. The robbers confronted the duty ordinary seaman and stole his cellular phone. The ordinary seaman managed to escape and alert the crew. The crew subsequently searched the vessel and determined that the robbers had also stolen two breathing apparatuses. The ordinary seaman sustained a minor head injury during the incident. The master reported the incident to Singapore VTIS. (Clearwater Dynamics, ReCAAP)