Situation Update Maritime Crime & Piracy 31 December 2018 Client Focused People Centred Compliance Led
In The News COTE D IVOIRE NIGERIA Speaking in Port Harcourt, a new militant group, WANDE, has vowed to halt elections scheduled for mid-february. Following recent municipal elections in Port- Bouet, Abidjan, a petition has been lodged at the Supreme Court citing irregularities at the polls. KOACI.COM DAILYPOST.NG SOMALIA YEMEN Government officials have visited the port city of Hodeidah to oversee a UNbrokered ceasefire with Houthi forces. The Somaliland Government has demanded a role in the new Saudi Arabia-led Red Sea Countries Cooperation Initiative. MENAFN.COM ALJAZEERA.COM COLOMBIA VENEZUELA Guyana s foreign ministry has said the Venezuelan Navy have intercepted RAMFORM TETHYS, whilst it was working for Exxon Mobil. In the port city of Tumaco, former loyalists of FARC who were not included in the amnesty programme are reportedly engaged in a campaign of violence. APNEWS.COM REUTERS.COM INDONESIA PHILIPPINES Islamic State-aligned loyalists of Abu Sayyaf are reportedly seeking to conduct further kidnappings off Sabah s east coast. The Indonesian Armed Forces have inaugurated a military unit on the Natuna islands, bordering the South China Sea. BENARNEWS.ORG THESTAR.COM.MY
Incident Map Last 7 Days
TAKORADI West Africa Incidents # DATE TIME TARGET INCIDENT LATITUDE LONGITUDE SOURCE There have been no confirmed incidents in the Gulf of Guinea in the last seven days. 4
West Africa TAKORADI COMMENT In 2018, piracy and maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea has remained concentrated in Nigerian waters. In particular, incidents remain most likely seaward of the Bonny Fairway Buoy and out to the southern extent of the JWC Listed Area. There have been a total of 108 incidents across the region this year, up 26% on 2017. However, the number of crew kidnapped over the same period is down 21%. Most notable among developments this year has been the sharp uptick in incidents recorded at Lagos Safe Anchorage Area, as well as the re-emergence of petro-piracy in 1H18 as a consequence of a strengthening oil market. More recently, the region has witnessed Nigerian criminal syndicates extending their area of interest with regard to hijackings, which have occurred as far south as Pointe-Noire. This is in sharp contrast to a preference for express kidnap for ransom that was largely confined to 50nm from the Nigerian coastline for much of 2018. 5
Indian Ocean Incidents ADEN # DATE TIME TARGET INCIDENT LATITUDE LONGITUDE SOURCE There have been no confirmed incidents in the Somali Basin & GoA in the last seven days.
Indian Ocean ADEN COMMENT In 2018, the southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin have witnessed at least twenty-seven incidents of piracy and maritime crime, down just four on 2017. Not only is it apparent that organised criminal syndicates remain intent on targeting vessels and their crew for financial gain, but emerging interests present new and potentially more complex threats, which are testing the limitations of BMP5. Piecemeal gains are at risk of being eroded if, as military statistics regarding the use of embarked security suggest, complacency becomes the norm. The robust, but atypical response from the military following the attempted hijack of KSL SYDNEY is indicative of the continued need for a firm deterrence. The military currently assess that piracy will likely remain sporadic and that any potential change in the security environment is subject to perceived provocative activity, such as illegal fishing. In recent weeks, Somalia s Ministry of Fisheries has permitted foreign fishing vessels not only to fish prize tuna species in Somali waters, but also to carry armed guards as they do so.
Asia Incidents TAWI-TAWI # DATE TIME TARGET INCIDENT LATITUDE LONGITUDE SOURCE There have been no confirmed incidents in Southeast Asia in the last seven days.
Asia TAWI-TAWI COMMENT In 2018, piracy and maritime crime across Southeast Asia has remained concentrated in areas typically exposed to organised criminal syndicates. While the rate of incidents remains largely unchanged with this year up fractionally on 2017, the number of kidnappings is down. There has also been a reduction in the share of incidents related to tankers, down 8% to just a quarter of all recorded crime in 2018. The vast majority of incidents continues to involve opportunist robbery at anchor, particularly in Eastern Kalimantan. Indeed off Samarinda, there has been a 133% increase in such activity when compared to 2017. This is in sharp contrast to the number of incidents taking place in the Singapore Straits, which has fallen by more than half over the same period.
Latin America Incidents # DATE TIME TARGET INCIDENT LATITUDE LONGITUDE SOURCE There have been no confirmed incidents in Latin America in the last seven days. CARACAS
Latin America CARACAS COMMENT In 2018 there have been more than thirty confirmed cases of piracy and maritime crime across Latin America. The vast majority of these incidents have centred on Venezuela and are likely the direct result of its socialist economy collapsing. There are however, other regions which continue to experience a pernicious threat from organised criminal syndicates, including the port cities of Guayaquil, Lima, Georgetown and Macapá. The overwhelming majority of incidents across this region occur in territorial waters and whilst vessels are at anchor. Incidents are typically opportunist in nature and readily mitigated with proportionate application of BMP5.
Ambrey Intelligence We offer tailored products to help you manage uncertainty. We leverage privileged sources and proprietary methodologies to deliver original content in a timely manner. Drawing on our in-house expertise in geo-spatial analysis, we reliably use threat-based information to forecast when and how a threat will be realised. Through our understanding of local dynamics we are able to evidence a proportionate response to challenges and exploit opportunities. About Ambrey We are an award winning company, protecting more ships than any other security company and with the largest number of deployed maritime security personnel across the globe. We own and operate our own vessel based armouries. Meeting the needs of our clients and their stakeholders is our number one priority, and we pride ourselves on getting our clients the answers they need within one hour of receipt of an enquiry. We run a manned office 365 days a year to make sure we can deliver a one-stop solution to our customers. Whether you need an armed security team, a security escort vessel, intelligence threat analysis or assistance managing a complex maritime security project we have the experience, time and knowledge to help. Thorn Business Centre, Hereford, HR2 6JT, United Kingdom E enquiries@ambrey.com T +44 203 503 0330 W ambrey.com Company no: 10222741