6 April 2016 Issue 19

Transcription

1 6 April 2016 Issue 19 Issue 19 of the series continues to follow the developing conflicts in Yemen and Libya, instability around the Mediterranean, as well as detailing reports on security instances and news from around the World. The Maritime Intelligence Report Series focuses on: Contents: Areas of instability which could affect the passage or port call of your vessel; Libya - National unity government Changes or impediments to navigation/restrictions of; and Charts and analysis detailing piracy, suspicious approaches, boarding's and hijackings. MAST has a global reach and presence, delivering first hand, accurate and exclusive intelligence. MAST is entrenched and committed in continuing to support and promote the awareness of the very real risks that seafarers and stakeholders face. This Intelligence Report Series is a brief snapshot of MAST s Intelligence capabilities. MAST Intelligence specialises in providing clients with a suite of products, including; detailed port and vessel security briefs, vessel passage plans, threat and risk mitigation, travel risk management. - Analysis Yemen - Analysis - Ports Mediterranean - Analysis Regional theatres of piracy, crime, terrorism and news - Indian Ocean Region - Gulf of Guinea - South East Asia - Central & South America Mast Services Working closely in conjunction with a host of experts, MAST Intelligence offers a market leading service pertaining to all maritime affairs. Please follow MAST on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep abreast with these insightful weekly reports and more including real time security updates! MAST UK +44 (0) operations@mast-security.com Editor: Ben Stewart General Manager ben.stewart@mast-security.com MAST USA nathan.stillman@mast-security.com MAST Singapore ben.stewart@mast-security.com 24/7 Emergency Telephone: +44(0)

2 Libya It has been a busy week for Libya s political community Libya s new National Unity Government arrived in country by ship and have set up office in a Naval Base near Tripoli. Protection is being provided by the Libyan Navy and the semi-official but powerful militia which protects the country s oil infrastructure. They have also received a declaration of support from the Tripoli (and official) branch of the National Oil Company. The unofficial Tripoli Government, the General National Congress (GNC), has also released a statement saying it has stepped down although there is already a splinter party which disputes this statement. The Tobruk based government also opposes the new Unity Government but has lost it s status as the internationally recognised entity. They still control the Libyan Army via General Haftar. These moves pave the way for further European Union involvement in Libya. Both France and the UK have military strategies planned. Likely they will initially move to prevent the human traffickers from operating and then move onto ISIS. Oil should also start to flow so tanker owners could expect an increase in Libyan cargos to start soon. If the security situation improves dry bulk cargo movements should also increase as the country re-builds it s cities and ports. Controlled by the New General National Congress and Libya Shield Force Controlled by the Council of Deputies and Libyan National Army Controlled by so called ISIS Control of Northern Libyan territory (26th March 2016) Source: Wikimedia Commons 2

3 Yemen Violence eases as President Hadi sacks his Prime Minister. The fighting in Yemen seems to have eased considerably ahead of the planned ceasefire starting on 10 April however there have still been airstrikes at Al Qaeda positions by the US Military. The US Navy has also confiscated a cache of small arms from a dhow destined for Yemen and the Houthi rebels. President Hadi has sacked his Prime Minister and Vice- President Khaled Bahah citing government failures as the reason. Two people have been chosen to replace him, General Ali Mohsen al-ahmar has been appointed Vice-President and Ahmed bin Dagher has been made Prime Minister. This is a surprise move by Hadi who remains in Riyadh due to the poor security situation in Aden. Negotiations between the Houthis and Hadi s government are ongoing but the signals seem to be positive. Houthi Pro Hadi Government Forces Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Control of Yemen territory (28th February 2016) Source: Wikimedia Commons 3

4 Yemen Ports Up to date information on key Yemen ports: Port Aden: The port of Aden is now under the protection of the Republic of Yemen security forces. Curfew in effect for Aden, daily. Merchant vessels wishing to enter Yemeni ports must first apply for a permit through the Yemeni Ministry of Transportation; contact: yemen.transport@gmail.com 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 its capacity. Port Hudaydah: Capacity 5 berths. Reduced vessel berth capacity from 8 to 5 due to substantial damage from air strikes in July, especially to cranes. Only 1 of 5 shore based cranes in partially 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: No recorded activity since August Port Salif: Capacity 2 berths. Operating at capacity. equipment. Vessels experience severe delays due to minimal port Port Al Mukalla: Capacity 2 berths. Mukalla remains under AQAP control. Higher port tariffs have resulted in fewer calling vessels. Due to a lack of reporting, there are uncertainties regarding the port. 4

5 Mediterranean Migrants travel to Libya as the Turkey Greece route closes. With the Turkey-Greece route to Europe now effectively closed the migrants are reportedly heading for Libya to make their crossing to Europe. Greece has also started the first deportations as per the agreement with Turkey. The new Unity Government will allow the EU to take action against the people smugglers on Libyan soil hence it is likely this route will also close leaving up to 800,000 people in Libya. The route from Libya is possibly the most dangerous with many drownings in the last week. The previous Tripoli Government that stood down today also threatened it would actively encourage an increase in migrant traffic. This is likely an empty threat as they seem to have little influence on the trafficking groups. Map depicting major migrant routes in the Mediterranean. Source: UNHRC 5

6 Indian Ocean Region Incidents: Nothing significant to report News: Singapore takes over command of counter-piracy task force from Pakistan Navy. The Singapore Armed Forces command team will also coordinate counter-piracy operations with task forces from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the European Union, as well as with navies from other countries. To read the full article click here Somali Pirates on Trial in Paris Seven Somali men accused of hijacking a French yacht in an assault in which its owner was killed and his wife abducted in the Arabian Sea four years ago appeared before a French court on Tuesday, all facing life sentences. To read more click here Hijack Kidnap Approach/Attack Suspicious Activity Theft 1st December 2015 HRA limits 6

7 Gulf of Guinea A major naval exercise commences which should be temporarily beneficial to local maritime security Incidents: 1. Nigeria Underway tanker reported coming under attack by pirates at 1056 UTC on 1 April in position N, E, around 31nm SW of Bayelsa coast, Nigeria. Tanker underway enroute from Calabar, Nigeria to Lome, Togo. Nigerian authorities have been notified. Reported MTISC News: Pirate attacks: Boat operators in Delta threaten strike action. MARITIME workers in Delta State have threatened to embark on strike and disrupt movements in the state s waterways due to loss of lives and property as a result of incessant attacks by pirates on ferries and passengers plying the routes. To read more click here Nimasa Confirms Hijack of Vessel, Pledges Speedy Passage of Anti-Piracy Bill The Director General (DG), Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, has confirmed the hijack of a Liberian chemical tanker, MT Sampatiki with five crew members on board at Excravos, Delta state. To read the full article click here Rivers: Navy arrests two boats with illegally refined diesel The Nigerian Navy in Port Harcourt on Sunday said it seized two wooden boats used in conveying 100,000 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel worth N20.4 million in Rivers. To read the full article click here 1 Hijack Kidnap Approach/Attack Suspicious Activity Theft 7

8 South East Asia The low oil price is keeping hijacks for fuel theft off the risk map. local agent who then reported to the port police. When the ship came alongside on 04 April 2016, the port police boarded the ship for investigation. Incidents: Indonesia 1 April 2016 at 0145 LT. Position S, E, Samarinda Anchorage, Indonesia. D/O onboard an anchored bulk carrier heard voices on the forecastle deck. Alarm raised and an announcement was made on the PA system. As crew rushed to the location the robbers escaped with stolen ship s stores. Master tried to contact the coast guard but received no response. 3. Indonesia 3 April 2016 at 2345 LT. Position S, E, Jakarta Anchorage, Indonesia. Five robbers boarded an anchored container ship using a hook attached with a rope. Alert crew noticed the robbers and raised the alarm. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers jumped overboard and escaped. Nothing reported stolen. Incident reported to pilot station and Malaysia 1 April 2016 at 1815 LT. Position N, E, Around 17nm East of Pulau Sipadan, Sabah, Malaysia. Eight armed pirates in a speed boat approached and boarded the tug underway. They opened fire, stole crew personal belongings and kidnapped four crew members and escaped. The remaining crew members sailed the vessel to the vicinity of Semporna and thereafter a MMEA patrol boat escorted the vessel to a safe port. Hijack Kidnap Approach/Attack Suspicious Activity Theft

9 Central and South America Incidents: Nothing significant to report Standing advice: The smuggling of drugs on board merchant vessels is far from a new phenomenon. For every load which is caught, countless numbers undoubtedly slip through undetected. This is very much a localised issue within South and Central America. The repercussions of a vessel being caught 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. Hi-Jack Kidnap Approach/Attack Suspicious Activity 9

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