12
1 MAST UK +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] MAST Singapore +65 8302 7561 [email protected] 24/7 Emergency Telephone: +44(0) 117 916 6012 The Marime Intelligence Report Series focuses on: • Operaonal risks in areas of instability which could affect the safety of commercial and private vessels and personnel ashore and at sea. • In country reporng on key countries where civil con- flict are directly impacng on marime operaons; and • Reporng and analysis of incidents of terrorism, pi- racy and other related criminal acvity. MAST has a global reach and presence, delivering first hand, accurate and exclusive intelligence. MAST is entrenched and commied in connuing to support and promote the awareness of the very real risks that seafarers and other stakeholders face. This Intelligence Report Series is a brief snapshot of MAST’s Intelligence capabilies. MAST Intelligence specialises in providing clients with a suite of products and services, including; polical and economic risk analysis, detailed port and vessel security briefs, vessel passage plans, threat and risk migaon and travel risk management. Working closely in conjuncon with a host of experts, MAST Intelligence offers a market leading service per- taining to all marime affairs. Follow MAST on LinkedIn and Twier to keep abreast with these insighul weekly reports and more — in- cluding real me security updates. Editor: David Rider www.mast-security.com 15th March 2017 Issue 67 of the series reviews, analyses and threat assesses the fragile and conflict affected coastal states Libya, Somalia and Yemen. The Mediterranean migrant crisis, incidents affecng marime security and influencing marime news are also reported and analysed, focusing on the keys theatres of marime instability. “Making the marime environment a safer place to live and work” Issue 67 Contents: Indian Ocean region Somalia Yemen Yemen Ports Mediterranean Libya Gulf of Guinea South East Asia Central & South America Severe Weather Warnings Mast Services Page 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

15th March 2017 Issue 67 - MAST · tain the furthest possible distance from the Yemen coast, tran-sit the Bab el-Mandeb Strait during daylight hours and use the western TSS wherever

  • Upload
    others

  • View
    0

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

  • 1

    MAST UK+44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected]

    MAST Singapore+65 8302 [email protected]

    24/7 Emergency Telephone:+44(0) 117 916 6012

    The Maritime Intelligence Report Series focuses on:

    • Operational risks in areas of instability which could affect the safety of commercial and private vessels and personnel ashore and at sea.

    • In country reporting on key countries where civil con-flict are directly impacting on maritime operations; and

    • Reporting and analysis of incidents of terrorism, pi-racy and other related criminal activity. MAST has a global reach and presence, delivering firsthand, accurate and exclusive intelligence. MAST isentrenched and committed in continuing to supportand promote the awareness of the very real risks thatseafarers and other stakeholders face. This Intelligence Report Series is a brief snapshot ofMAST’s Intelligence capabilities. MAST Intelligencespecialises in providing clients with a suite of products and services, including; political and economic risk analysis, detailed port and vessel security briefs, vessel passage plans, threat and risk mitigation and travel risk management. Working closely in conjunction with a host of experts,MAST Intelligence offers a market leading service per-taining to all maritime affairs.

    Follow MAST on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep abreast with these insightful weekly reports and more — in-cluding real time security updates.

    Editor: David Riderwww.mast-security.com

    15th March 2017

    Issue 67 of the series reviews, analyses and threat assesses the fragile and conflict affected coastal states Libya, Somalia and Yemen. The Mediterranean migrant crisis, incidents affecting maritime security and influencing maritime news are also reported and analysed, focusing on the keys theatres of maritime instability.

    “Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

    Issue 67

    Contents:Indian Ocean region

    Somalia

    Yemen

    Yemen Ports

    Mediterranean

    Libya

    Gulf of Guinea

    South East Asia

    Central & South America

    Severe Weather Warnings

    Mast Services

    Page2

    3

    4

    5

    6

    7

    8

    9

    10

    11

    12

    https://twitter.com/MAST_Securityhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/2987168?trk=tyahhttps://www.facebook.com/Maritime-Asset-Security-and-Training-Ltd-MAST-362993160565911/timeline/http://www.mast-security.com/blog/https://www.linkedin.com/company/2987168?trk=tyahhttps://twitter.com/MAST_Securityhttp://www.mast-security.com/http://www.mast-security.com/en/intelligence1/risk-map/

  • 2

    “Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

    Indian Ocean Region The Iranian Navy’s 44th flotilla of warships returned home on Saturday morning after a five-month mis-sion and foiling pirate attacks in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Iranian media reports. The 44th fleet of Iran’s Navy, comprising Alvand and Bushehr logistical destroyers, ended its 150-day mission on Saturday morn-ing by berthing at the coast of Iran’s Bandar Abbas were it was warmly received by families of sailors.

    Incidents:1. MV reported two mother vessels had deployed four skiffs that approached the MV to within 1 cable at 0845 UTC in posi-tion 13:52N - 050:20E, around 81nm SE of Al Mukalla, Yemen, Gulf Aden. Embarked AST showed weapons and skiffs retreated. Vessel is safe. Reported March 9th (UKMTO).

    2. Investigations are currently ongoing following reports that a Yemeni Coast Guard vessel may have struck a mine in Yemeni Territorial Waters (TTW), in the vicinity of the port of Al Mukha. As the event involves a mine detonation impacting a Yemeni Coast Guard vessel in Yemeni territorial waters in the Red Sea, US MARAD advises caution when transiting the area and use the western TSS wherever possible. The US Advisory expires 17 March. Reported March 10th (UKMTO/US MARAD. Not shown on map).

    3. Bunkering tanker Aris 13 has been HIJACKED as it transited off the Puntland coast in position 11:59N-050:45E. Vessel reported hijacked by armed men in two skiffs according to Puntland au-thorities. MV currently off the town of Alula town, Puntland, Somalia. Reported March 13th (UKMTO).

    Oceans Beyond Piracy Hijack AnalysisOBP has issued an analysis of the Aris 13 incident which can be accessed by clicking here.

    Japan takes over CTF-151 command The Pakis tan Navy handed over the command of the multina-tional Combined Task Force (CTF-151) to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force. The ceremony for the change of the com-mand of the counter-piracy force was held at the combined maritime forces (CMF) headquarters in Bahrain.

    China may station Marines in Gwadar, PakistanTwo brigades of ‘special combat soldiers’ had already been moved to the People’s Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps and further additions would be made, military insiders told the Hong-Kong based South China Morning Post.

    Threat AssessmentTo read MAST’s current Threat Assessment on the Indian Ocean Region, please click here.

    Hijack

    Kidnap

    Approach/Attack

    Suspicious Activity Theft

    1st December 2015 HRA limits

    MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com

    1

    3

    http://oceansbeyondpiracy.org/press-releases/first-hijacking-merchant-vessel-somali-pirates-five-yearshttp://mast-security.com/en/services/counter-piracy/indian-ocean/mailto:operations%40mast-security.com?subject=http://www.mast-security.com/

  • 3

    Somalia The head of the African Union (AU) mission in Somalia is seeking a surge in troops to help the country’s military control areas won back from extremist group Al Shabab, saying the Somali National Army has been unable to take charge as expected. Francisco Caetano Madeira’s request for an unspecified num-ber of extra AU troops comes amid widespread concern that Somalia’s military won’t be ready to take over the country’s security as the 22,000-strong AU force prepares to withdraw by the end of 2020.

    Under control of Al Shabaab and

    Under control of neutral forcesUnder the control of Government and

    Somaliland Government

    Control of Somali territory 13th March 2017) Source: Wikime-dia Commons

    Somali pirates hijack first merchant ship since 2012The Aris 13 was believed to be carrying eight crew, said John Steed of the aid group Oceans Beyond Piracy. “The ship report-ed it was being followed by two skiffs yesterday afternoon. Then it disappeared,” he told Reuters on March 14th.

    Somalia hit by deadly car bombSeveral people were killed and a dozen others injured in two separate bomb attacks in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Mon-day 13th. In the first attack, a car bomb exploded near a hotel on a busy street killing at least ten people, according to the website of local Radio Shabelle. Hours earlier, another blast killed the driver of a minibus who tried to breach a checkpoint.

    AS leader surrenders to Somali governmentThe African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said that Hus-sein Salad Mukhtar surrendered to the Somali National Army (SNA) on Tuesday 7th following a government amnesty offer for militants to surrender.

    Senior Puntland officials complicit in the strikes of military forcesSenior officials of Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland are reported to be complicit in the continuation of protests by military forces in recent weeks, Garowe Online reports. Ga-rowe, the state capital of the region, has witnessed a surge in mutinies by military forces complaining of lack of salaries and poor welfare under the current administration.

    Puntland plans to transfer Bosaso port to UAEPuntland Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairperson, Mohamed Aydid Jama’a has confirmed the plan saying Punt-land State wants to hand over the management Puntland’s largest port, Bosaso to the government of United Arab Emir-ates.Al Shabaab• AMISOM forces repelled an Al Shabaab ambush outside Ma-haday town in Middle Shabelle region on March 9th.• Al Shabaab car bomb critically wounded a journalist working for Universal Television in Mogadishu on March 12th.

    Analysis Al Shabaab’s continuing attacks in the capital and its ability to take over Somali towns with little opposition illustrate the ongoing security issues the country faces. Despite AMISOM’s recent gains against the group, AS maintains the capability to strike. The formation of EUCAP Somalia may help to build some capacity against the group in coastal areas as well as sup-pressing piracy. The threat of famine and drought, combined with economic stagnation are potential factors in a return to the water for criminal gangs. The mini mutiny staged by Punt-land forces is a cause for concern. The former pirate stronghold already faces issues with Al Shabaab and Daesh militants. A security breakdown could see pirate gangs return to coastal communities unopposed.

    Threat AssessmentWith no clear ‘front’ on which to fight, AMISOM is forced to re-main a reactive force in many cases. Recent gains by the Kenya Defence Force (KDF) will have dented Al Shabaab morale. This more aggressive approach by the KDF marks a tactical change and it will be interesting to see if it is maintained. This week’s IEDs in Mogadishu has once again illustrated the ability of Al Shabaab to strike with apparent ease in the capital and will place further pressure on the Somali National Army and AMISOM to improve security if the country still hopes to court Western companies and investment.

    “Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

    MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com

    mailto:operations%40mast-security.com?subject=http://www.mast-security.com/

  • 4

    Control of Yemen territory (13th March 2017)

    Source: Wikimedia Commons

    YemenOn Friday 10th, a Yemeni coast guard vessel hit a naval mine in the vicinity of Mocha port, suspected of being planted in the Red Sea by rebels. The subsequent explosion killed two sailors and wounded eight, including the ship’s captain, security officials said. Saudi-led coalition forces combating Yemen’s Shi’ite rebel forces, known as Al Houthis, had previously warned of the presence of naval mines planted by Houthi militants in the Red Sea.

    Al Houthis interception of relief ships causes famine in YemenThe internationally supported Yemeni government has said Al Houthi rebels have intercepted 63 ships and 223 convoys carry-ing humanitarian aid to areas under their control since ejecting President Hadi from Sana’a in early 2015.

    Fighting continues at Mocha port Seven Yemeni soldiers and eight rebels were killed in heavy fighting over a 24 hour period near the coastal town of Mo-cha, medical and security sources said on March 11th. Although Yemeni forces captured the town on February 10th, rebels have attempted to take it back.

    AQAP/ISIS• AQAP called on Sunnis to reinforce the al Qayfa area on March 9th following a multi-day barrage of U.S. airstrikes.• ISIS militants attacked al Houthi-Saleh forces with small arms and artillery fire in al Quraishi district, northwestern al Bayda on March 10th and Amar area on March 11th.

    Threat Assessment To date, Houthi maritime attacks have used directed weapons systems such as radar guided missiles and a Command Minus Sight remote control vessel. Sea mines present an indiscrimi-nate threat. However on this occasion the sea mine was clearly placed to target the Coast Guard vessel. It is unknown whether the mine was moored or grounded as is the method of deto-nation. Sea mines can be subject to free movement if cut or poorly secured. As issued in the UKMTO Advisory Notice 001/FEB/2017, Masters should consider increasing vigilance, main-

    tain the furthest possible distance from the Yemen coast, tran-sit the Bab el-Mandeb Strait during daylight hours and use the western TSS wherever possible.

    The US Navy assessment that the attack carried out against the Saudi warship on Jan. 30th utilised a remote-controlled skiff will not reassure the merchant fleet. The use of an unmanned at-tack vessel (drone) makes sense. Up to now the Houthis have not had a record of suicide attacks. It also confirms that the Ira-nians are continuing to back innovative and technically sophis-ticated ways of backing Houthi attacks on Saudi coalition forces operating in the southern Red Sea.

    Approaches against merchant vessels by small, fast boats con-taining armed men indicate that the threat to shipping remains high; the motivation of these actors is not known - they may be AQAP or Houthi affiliates – although the incident involving the Galicia Spirit should be taken as a significant warning of the possible outcome of allowing a small craft to approach a MV un-challenged. The incident on March 13th (please see our Indian Ocean Region section) confirms that the Gulf of Aden remains high risk.

    MAST recommends BMP measures be enforced and watches strengthened during transits in the region. In the Gulf of Aden, MAST’s advice is to steer clear of al Mukallah and remain in the IRTC, where warship protection is more likely. Attacks off Al Mukallah in 2016 and recent activity indicate that the risk to merchant shipping from threat elements within Yemen remains high.

    Houthi

    Pro Hadi Government Forces

    Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

    “Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

    MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com

    mailto:operations%40mast-security.com?subject=http://www.mast-security.com/

  • 5

    UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM)

    The UN’s Secretary-General has decided to institute a UNVIM for the facilitation of commercial imports to Yemen, at the request of the Government of the Republic of Yemen and in line with Security Council resolution 2216 (2015).

    UNVIM is operational with immediate effect. Shipping companies or vessel owners shipping commercial goods or services to any port not under the direct control of the Government of Yemen (Salif, Mokha, Hudaydah and associated oil terminals) need to ap-ply for permits upon departure of the port of origin of their cargo. For further details click here.

    UN arms embargo imposed by UN Security Council Resolution 2216 of 2015 is in place.

    Port Aden:

    • The port of Aden is under the protection of the Republic of Yemen security forces.

    • Curfew in effect for Aden, 2000-0600 daily.

    • Merchant vessels wishing to enter Yemeni ports must first apply for a permit through the Yemeni Ministry of Transportation; contact: [email protected] for more information.

    • Final clearance to enter Yemeni ports (with permits in place) is authenticated by the coalition guard ship.

    • Aden is the only port in Yemen currently able to facilitate container vessels. The container terminal has recently increased it’s capacity. WFP note that eight vessels were discharging at berth with 5 waiting at anchorage.

    Port Salif: Capacity 2 berths. Operating at capacity.

    Port Hudaydah:

    • Capacity 8 berths.

    • Only 1 of 5 shore based cranes in partial operation, container vessels highly recommended to have their own internal cranes.

    • RSNF is utilizing a holding area 60 NM west of the port of Hudaydah for all vessels attempting entry into Salif or Hudaydah. Inbound vessels should plan on holding within this area prior to receiving clearance from port control warships.

    Port Mokha: Status - Closed: Currently classified as ‘Not Safe’ (North of England P&I, Jan. 12th 2017).

    Port Al Mukalla: Capacity 2 berths. Al Mukalla port was liberated on the 23/24 April by the Saudi-led coalition and southern resistance. Port officials have advised that port operations resumed on the 26th April.

    Port of Balhaf: Status - Closed: LNG terminal remains closed. Now under control of Saudi and Yemeni forces.

    Port of Ras Isa: Status - Closed. Safer oil terminal remains closed, Safer Company (SEPOC) does not allow vessels to berth at Safer Marine Terminal if they do not have an agreement signed by them according to the protocol between buyer and Yemeni government.

    Yemen PortsFollowing the US Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) warning of possible mines around the port of Mocha on March 1st, on Friday 10th, a Yemeni Coast Guard vessel struck such a mine, killing two crew and injur-ing eight. As a result, the US Advisory has been extended to March 17th.

    “Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

    MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com

    http://www.vimye.org/mailto:operations%40mast-security.com?subject=http://www.mast-security.com/

  • 6

    Mediterranean The IOM reported on March 10th that 19,567 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea in 2017 through 8 March, over 80 percent arriving in Italy and the rest in Spain and Greece. This compares with 143,544 through the first 68 days of 2016.

    Human traffickers, 83 migrants caught on luxury yachtThe Turkish Coast Guard has captured 83 people trying to cross into Italy illegally from the Aegean resort town of Çeşme on a U.S.-flagged luxury yacht. Three Ukrainians, were also detained on suspicion they were part of the crew.

    289 migrants caught off TurkeyBetween March 3-10 Turkish Coast Guards intercepted 289 migrants in seven separate incidents and arrested seven mi-grant smugglers, interior ministry’s announcement read.

    UK aid money warningThe UK government’s aid programme in Libya could be inad-vertently harming migrants and refugees, the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAD) warned on 10 March. The watchdog said some of Britain’s £9m package is being used by the Libyan authorities to contain more people taken from the Mediterranean Sea in detention centres, where they face overcrowded conditions and “are at risk of abuse and extor-tion”.

    Majority of migrants dying at sea en route to Italy are Nige-riansNigeria, and four other West African countries, top the list of migrants trying to escape Nigeria by sea to Italy and dying during the journey, the International Organisation for Migra-tion (IOM) has confirmed.

    EU concern over Libya immigration grows along with arrivalsEuropean Union leaders will discuss an agreed plan to cut immigration from Libyan shores to Italy but they increasingly fear calmer spring weather will bring a new surge of arrivals.

    The current migrant smuggling situationSabratha appears to remain a popular migrant departure point, although accurately recording the number of migrants waiting to cross from Libya is extremely difficult due to the various routes being used to cross into the country itself. While February saw 10,049 migrants make the crossing, this fig-ure is a huge drop from the 61,074 migrants who crossed during the same period in 2016. Figures for March remain encouragingly low, although warnings from the IOM suggest large numbers of migrants are expected to cross from Libya in the coming weeks. Recent media reports suggest that smuggling is now attracting Eastern European criminal gangs who transfer migrants between European countries once they’ve made the initial crossing from Libya. Whether these are coordinated with Libyan gangs remains unknown at the present time.

    Map depicting major migrant routes in the Mediterranean (March 14th 2017). Source: UNHRC

    “Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

    Migrant crossings 2015-2017. Source: UNHRC

    MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com

    mailto:operations%40mast-security.com?subject=http://www.mast-security.com/

  • 7

    LibyaRussia appears to have deployed special forces to an airbase in western Egypt near the border with Libya in recent days, according to US, Egyptian and diplomatic sources, in a move that adds to US concerns about Moscow’s deepening role in Libya. The US and diplomatic officials said any such Russian involve-ment might be part of a bid to support the Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, who suffered a setback with an attack on March 3rd by the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) on oil ports controlled by his forces.

    “Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

    Russian weapons and training for Eastern governmentThe Libyan government in the country’s east is ready to imple-ment the contracts with Russia on arms supplies reached under former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Libya’s House of Representatives Chairman Aguila Saleh Issa told Russian media.

    AnalysisNews that Russian special forces are currently on the Egyptian-Libyan border and were due to assist Haftar’s efforts to retake the oil terminals occupied by the PFG following their takeover by the al Qaeda-linked Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) were denied by Russia on Tuesday 14th. However, on the same day, Haftar launched an offensive against Ras Lanuf, Es Sider and Ben Jawad. Reports suggested he had massed at least 5,000 troops. Media reports state that the offensive against the terminals was conducted with both air and sea support and has been success-ful. Haftar knew that the longer he allowed the PFG to control both sites, the more face he would lose internationally, risking his hopes of finding a significant role in government – hence the possible support from Russia. Libya’s National Oil Company had previously announced that production had fallen to 615,000 barrels per day and may call a force majeure on the affected ports. Due to a lack of storage facilities in the country, had the conflicts at both ports persisted, it is likely that production will have to have been cut due to limited capacity. Due to a lack of investment and infrastructure, oil analysts doubt that Libya will be able to maintain its previous production levels for the year. The prospect of the Eastern House of Representatives (HoR) fi-nalising an arms deal with Russia will be of great concern to both the EU and US, who have backed the Government of Na-tional Accord, which Haftar and the HoR do not recognise. The

    potential for an increase in hostilities between East and West has now grown. Ports currently operational in Libya are: Mellitah, Zawiyah, Trip-oli, Misrata, Marsa El Brega, Tobruk, Al Khoms, Marsa El Hariga. Farwah, Bouri, Zuwarah and Zuetina.

    Threat AssessmentWhile his forces left the National Oil Company (NOC) manage-ment in place, it remains to be seen whether this will still be the case now Haftar’s forces have regained control of Ras Lanuf and Sidre. It is possible that there may be a change in management given recent events; Haftar may prefer to install his own people to ensure continuity and compliance. The seizure of two vessels off Libya by LNA elements underlines the danger to merchant vessels calling on Libyan ports. While the first, a car carrier, was subsequently released, LNA forces boarded the Turkish-flagged product tanker, Haci Telli, on Feb. 24th at the port of Zuara and arrested the crew of 11. The LNA claim that the shipowner owes the port some $433,000 for oil purchased. The LNA have stated that unless the debt is paid, they will continue to hold the crew and sell the vessel. Accord-ing to the ship’s agents, the owner has already paid $280,000 towards the debt. At the time of writing, the ship is still around two miles off Zuara.Throughout, little has been said by the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which appears increasingly marginal-ised. Recent attempts to broker peace between Haftar and the GNA have made little progress as Haftar appeared to be playing a waiting game until he lost control of the Ras Lanuf and Sidre. MAST is able to provide risk assessments and crew training to improve situational awareness and risk appreciation. The addi-tional threat to shipping should not be taken lightly.

    Control of Northern Libyan territory (March 14th 2017)

    Source: Wikimedia Commons

    Controlled by the Tobruk led government

    Controlled by the Government of National Accord

    Controlled by ISIS

    Controlled by local forces

    Controlled by Tuareg forces

    MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com

    mailto:operations%40mast-security.com?subject=http://www.mast-security.com/

  • 8

    “Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

    Gulf of GuineaUK’s Sky News gained rare access to illegal oil refinery operators in the Niger Delta last week. One king-pin calling himself Emo, who said he employed nearly 2,000 people, told them: “There are no jobs. We have nothing to do. You understand? That is why we are seeking help. We are begging for the govern-ment to assist us. You understand? We know what we’re doing is wrong but we have no option.” Emo admitted he was aware their activities can affect oil prices around the world and inside his own country but insisted he and his staff felt they had no alternative but to steal the oil.

    Incidents: 1. MV reported attacked at 0840 UTC in position 03:16N - 004:31E, approx 105nm SW of Bayelsa, Nigeria. One skiff with six or seven armed POB chased, fired upon and attempted to board Liberia-flagged bulk carrier. Anti piracy measures con-ducted, including increasing speed and crew into the citadel. At approx 0850 UTC, the speed boat aborted the attack/board-ing attempt. Vessel is safe and continued its transit. Reported March 8th.2. MV reported attacked at 0530 UTC in position 03:03N - 006:57E, around 81nm SxW of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Vessel at-tacked by pirates while proceeding to Bonny. Master ordered evasive manoeuvres and an increase in speed resulting in pi-rate speed boat aborting attack. Vessel and crew safe. Reported March 10th (MDAT).

    Militants seek probe into N11tr derivation fundsA Militant group, Reformed Egbesu Fraternity (REF), has urged the Federal Government to investigate the over N11 trillion, 13 per cent derivation funds accruable to the six states of the Ni-ger Delta since the commencement of the payment in 1999. The group maintained that the channelling of the funds, meant for the development of oil-producing states, through politicians had only ended up in enriching a few pockets while the majority

    of the people remained impoverished.

    Nigeria seeks to move oil companies to Niger DeltaNigeria’s southern oil-rich Rivers state on Saturday backed a government call for major oil companies to move their offices to the Niger Delta region, as part of measures to stem unrest in the oil-rich area. Attacks by rebels seeking a fairer share of Nigeria’s multi-billion dollar oil wealth for local residents have slashed output and hammered revenue at a time of falling global crude prices.

    Threat AssessmentTo read MAST’s current Threat Assessment on the Gulf of Guin-ea region, please click here.

    Kidnap

    Approach/Attack

    Suspicious Activity

    Theft

    4°30’

    5°00’

    4°00’

    3°30’

    7°00’6°30’ 7°30’5°00’ 5°30’ 6°00’ 8°00’4°30’

    6°00’

    5°30’

    3°30’ 4°00’

    Hijack

    MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com

    21

    http://mast-security.com/en/services/counter-piracy/west-africa/mailto:operations%40mast-security.com?subject=http://www.mast-security.com/

  • 9

    South East AsiaSeven Islamic State (IS) suspects, comprising two Malaysians and five Filipinos, were arrested in Sabah and Selangor states during a counter-terrorism sting operation between Mar 8th and 12th, according Malaysian Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar. Among them was a female Malaysian immigra-tion officer and two Filipinos who were arrested for smuggling IS militants from Malaysia and Indonesia into the southern Philippines via Sabah state to join an IS cell there, said Khalid.

    Hijack

    Kidnap

    Approach/Attack

    Suspicious Activity

    Incidents: 1. Duty crew onboard anchored Norway-flagged product tanker spotted a boat closed to the stern and informed the OOW at 1906 UTC in position 05:52.90S - 105:59.60E, Merak Anchorage OPL, Indonesia. The alarm was raised and crew mustered. Upon hearing the alarm, one robber was seen jumping overboard and fled with two others waiting in the boat. Nothing stolen. Re-ported March 9th.

    2. An unknown number of robbers boarded anchored Singa-pore-flagged chemical tanker, stole ship’s property and fled unnoticed. The theft was discovered by the duty crew during routine rounds at 1845 UTC in position 01:42.80N - 101:26.04E, Lubuk Gaung Inner Anchorage, Dumai, Indonesia. Incident re-ported to the local agents. Reported March 11th.

    Abu Sayyaf sub-leader killed in Tawi-TawiA sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf was killed after resisting arrest by joint security forces in Tawi-Tawi on Tuesday, the military said. Buchoy Hassan, also known as Black or Bocoi, was one of the wanted personalities in Malaysia for his involvement in the kidnap of Taiwanese national Chang An Wei at the Pom Pom Island Resort in Sabah in 2013.

    Duterte threatens martial law to stop Abu SayyafPresident Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte again threatened to impose martial law in troubled Mindanao to stop terror groups particu-larly the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf extremists from further sowing death and violence.

    Sulu Sea as Southeast Asia’s SomaliaUnable to stem a rising trend of piracy and kidnappings, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is seeking foreign assis-tance before its Sulu Sea devolves into the region’s version of Somalia – where terror group-linked pirates threaten to disrupt a waterway through which billions of dollars worth of trade flows annually.

    Threat AssessmentTo read MAST’s current Threat Assessment on the South East Asia region, please click here.

    “Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

    Theft

    MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com

    12

    2

    http://mast-security.com/en/services/counter-piracy/south-east-asia/mailto:operations%40mast-security.com?subject=http://www.mast-security.com/

  • 10

    “Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

    Central and South America GCaptain reports that the Panama Canal set yet another daily tonnage record in February 2017 with a total of 1,180 vessel transits totalling 1.18 million Panama Canal tons (PC/UMS). The previous record was established the month prior in January 2017 when the Canal recorded a daily tonnage average of 1.16 PC/UMS. The daily tonnage average accounts for vessels transiting through both the original and expanded locks.

    Incidents: Nothing significant to report.

    Standing advice: The repercussions of a vessel being caught acting as a mule with drugs stowed will depend on the type, amount and national laws, but may be disruptive and costly. When and if operating in these areas, especially Columbia and Peru, it is advised that:

    • Potential stowage areas such as rudder shafts are denied as far as possible, and/or routinely searched.

    • Access points are closely monitored by a vigilant watch for the duration of the vessel’s call at port.

    Hijack

    Kidnap

    Approach/Attack

    Suspicious Activity

    Theft

    MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com

    mailto:operations%40mast-security.com?subject=http://www.mast-security.com/

  • 11

    “Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

    Severe Weather Warnings Warnings detailed on this page are from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and are issued by respective Regional Specialised Metrological Centres, Tropical Cyclone Centres or National Meteoro-logical Services. For further information on severe weather warnings please click here.

    Note: The forecasts are correct as of the day before publication. For latest updates please follow the provided links.

    MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com

    Nothing serious to report.

    http://severe.worldweather.wmo.int/mailto:operations%40mast-security.com?subject=http://www.mast-security.com/

  • 12

    “Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

    MAST ServicesMAST has the experience, capability and global presence to provide comprehensive support to our clients.

    • Consultancy & risk management

    • Intelligence reports

    • Real time incident alerts

    • Technical security system design and installation

    • Training services

    • Physical security

    • ISPS services

    • Travel management

    • Counter piracy

    • Explosives ordnance management/disposal

    • Security prevention and response services

    This report is copyright of Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST) © 2017. All rights reserved.

    This report is intended to provide general information about maritime intelligence topics but does not provide individual advice and the crea-tors assume no liability for the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of any information contained herein, or though links you will find in it. Furthermore, using this report or sending MAST emails does not create a service provider- client relationship. It is intended only as an intro-duction to ideas and concepts only. It should not be treated as a definitive guide, nor should it be considered to cover every area of concern or regarded as an advice.

    If you copy from this report, you have to refer to Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST) Ltd as the source of the copied material.

    You may not, except with our express written permission, commercially exploit the content.

    MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com

    mailto:operations%40mast-security.com?subject=http://www.mast-security.com/