Dear

Please find below our most recent Weekly Maritime Report. If you have any queries about our reports please contact us at africaops@castorvali.com

• One alert reported this week.
  1) Tanker approached by unidentified Fishing Trawler near São Tomé on 7 May.
• One alert from previous reporting period.
  Pirates intercept Passenger Boat, kidnap seven passengers on Onne River, Nigeria on 6 May.
• Despite recent drop in incident reports, vessels and their crew members operating in this area remain at risk, as does the inability of regional authorities to respond expeditiously to any attacks.
• An advisory issued on 12 December 2023 by MDAT-GoG warning of a Pirate Action Group (PAG) operating in the Gulf remains in effect.
• Ships in the area are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

A Liberia-flagged Tanker was approached while sailing about 89NM Southeast of São Tomé. The crew spotted a fishing trawler about 3NM from the vessel's Port side, which then began to approach.

The trawler, with a black hull, white bridge structure, and a small orange lifeboat on the Starboard side, came as close as 0.9NM. It was not identified or reported on the Automatic Identification System (AIS).

The Tanker responded by altering its course and increasing speed, causing the trawler to abort its approach. No weapons or ladders were observed on the trawler. The tanker is now en route to its next port.

This is the first incident to be reported in the area this year. However, several boardings and kidnappings/attempted kidnappings were reported in the region of São Tomé & Príncipe and Gabon this time last year (2023).

All vessels transiting within the area are advised to exercise extreme caution, remain vigilant, retain an enhanced local surveillance, maintain strict Anti-Piracy Watch, and apply BMP WA procedures. Report any suspicious activity to authorities.

Open-source reports indicate that a passenger boat transporting 20 people from Bonny to Onne in Nigeria was intercepted by pirates on the Onne River. The pirates robbed all passengers and kidnapped seven individuals.

The incident has been confirmed by the Rivers State Police Command, which is currently investigating to determine if the victims were specifically targeted or selected at random.

This is the first incident of this type to be reported in the immediate area this year. However, several boardings and kidnappings/attempted kidnappings were reported in the region in 2022.

All vessels transiting within the area are advised to exercise extreme caution, remain vigilant, retain an enhanced local surveillance, maintain strict Anti-Piracy Watch, and apply BMP WA procedures. Report any suspicious activity to authorities.

• Six alerts reported this week.
  1) Notice of Live Missile Firing Exercise scheduled in Arabian Sea on 11 May.
  2) Armed Attack on Tanker thwarted near Aden, Yemen on 10 May.
  3) Tanker Approached by suspicious vessels East of Socotra on 8 May.
  4) Attacks on Container Ships MSC DIEGO and MSC GINA near Aden, Yemen on 7         May.
  5) Notice of Live Firing Practice Scheduled near Jeddah 'M' Anchorage on 6 May.
  6) Report of US Navy Destroying imminent threat UAV in Red Sea on 6 May

• Attacks continue to escalate in both frequency and in targeting of non-Israeli linked vessels, posing significant risk to vessels transiting Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea.

• Retaliatory strikes launched by Iran and increase in harassment of vessels by IRGC is expected.

• Somali based piracy, has surged with regional instability, with deep strikes in the Indian Ocean being reported.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has announced that a Live Missile Firing Exercise will take place from 04:30 UTC to 07:30 UTC on 14 and 15 May 2024.

The exercise will be conducted within an area defined by the following coordinates:

25°50.50N 068°14.00E

25°34.37N 068°37.56E

16°05.35N 061°15.43E

16°21.56N 060 52.58E

All ships and crafts are advised to steer clear of the designated danger area during the specified schedule.

Vessels in the vicinity are urged to stay alert and report any unusual incidents to the UKMTO. Additionally, any interference observed on radios, radars, or GPS systems should be reported to the UKMTO.

An assault on a Marshall Islands-flagged Tanker has been reported approximately 195NM East of Aden, Yemen.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has confirmed that a Tanker was approached by a small boat carrying six armed individuals. The assailants opened fire on the vessel, prompting the Armed Security Team (AST) aboard the Tanker to return fire. This resulted in the attackers' boat catching fire and the boarding attempt being aborted.

Analysis: Information from EU NAVFOR confirmed that following the attack on the Tanker, one of the OPERATION ATALANTA warships in the area responded and apprehended the six suspected pirates due to the unsafe condition of their boat. Some of the attackers received medical treatment for injuries sustained in the incident.

The incident is currently under investigation by authorities, and the Castor Vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis to support informed decision-making in navigating these waters.

Immediate attention and heightened security measures are advised. All vessels in the area are advised to proceed with caution and to report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.

The Master of a Danish-flagged Tanker reported an encounter with a small, fast-moving boat equipped with a large antenna and manned by three individuals. This incident occurred approximately 350NM east of the island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean.

After the initial approach, the small boat retreated to a slow-moving, thirty-meter-long green fishing vessel accompanied by three additional speedboats at its stern.

Analysis: The behavior of these vessels suggests coordinated activity, although no weapons or ladders were observed during the incident. The incident did, however, occur in the same general area as the UAV attack on the Portugal-flagged Container Ship MSC ORION on 26 April.

The incident is currently under investigation by authorities, and the Castor Vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis to support informed decision-making in navigating these waters.

Immediate attention and heightened security measures are advised. All vessels in the area are advised to proceed with caution and to report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued a warning regarding an attack involving a merchant vessel 82NM South of Aden, Yemen. The ship's Master reported two explosions occurring near the vessel.

The Master has since confirmed that the vessel and all crew members are safe.

Update: It has been confirmed that the vessel involved was a Panama-flagged Container Ship and the projectiles landed approximately 200 meters from the ship in the water.

Yemeni military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed attacks on both the MSC DIEGO (IMO: 9202649) and the MSC GINA (IMO: 9202663). The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) also confirmed two missile attacks happened early Tuesday, 7 May. The JMIC stated that "Neither [of the two vessels] were hit and all crew on board are safe," and “The vessels were last reported proceeding to next port of call.” The JMIC also added that the vessels were “likely targeted due to perceived Israeli affiliation.”

Saree also claimed the Houthis targeted and struck a third Container Ship, the MSC VITTORIA (IMO: 9299551), twice; once in the Indian Ocean and once in the Arabian Sea. An attack on that vessel, however, has not been reported or acknowledged by any authorities.

The incident is currently under investigation by authorities, and the Castor Vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis to support informed decision-making in navigating these waters.

Immediate attention and heightened security measures are advised. All vessels in the area are advised to proceed with caution and to report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued a warning that a Live Firing Practice is scheduled to take place from 07 to 09 May 2024. The exercises will be conducted daily between 05:00 and 12:00 UTC within an area defined by the following coordinates:

21°28.50N 038°18.75E

21°28.50N 039°01.80E

20°48.80N 039°01.80E

20°48.80N 038°18.75E

Mariners are advised to exercise caution when using the Jeddah 'M' anchorage during this period.

Open-source information indicates that an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militants, was successfully engaged and destroyed by US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces in the Red Sea.

The exact position of the UAV was not specified. The UAV was determined to pose an imminent threat to US, coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region, and the actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation.

• One alert reported this week.
  1) Robbery aboard Portuguese-flagged Container Ship at Manila North Anchorage,         Philippines on 9 May.
• One alert reported from last week.
  1) Armed Robbery attempt aboard Bulk Carrier in transit in Singapore Strait on 5            May.
• Overall decrease in reports in region - 12 this year to date.
• Despite decrease, Phillip Channel remains key area of robberies and boardings within Singapore & Malacca Straits.
• Decrease in incidents in areas within and surrounding Singapore territorial waters may be due to recent increased patrols by Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

A Portuguese-flagged Container Ship anchored at Manila North Anchorage, Philippines, was the target of a robbery.

Two individuals dressed in black t-shirts were seen in the forecastle by the duty crew. Upon raising the alarm, the robbers fled, taking with them various items from the ship. A small boat was detected on the ship's radar, departing the area in the direction of Navotas Fish Port.

The incident was reported to the local Vessel Traffic Management System and the Coastguard.

Analysis: This is the second incident of this type reported in the vicinity of Manila this year. However, seven similar incidents were reported in the area in 2023; all aboard anchored or berthed vessels.

Reports indicate that a Bulk Carrier in transit was targeted by three robbers armed with a rod. The duty crew spotted the robbers as they were entering the engine room. Upon raising the alarm and assembling the crew, the robbers were forced to flee without stealing anything.

Analysis: This is the eleventh incident reported this year within the wider Singapore & Malacca Straits region. Incidents in this area typically involve individuals armed with small knives or blunt objects. These robbers usually escape on detection, with stolen ships' properties, stores or cargo, with minimal violence occurring between crew and robbers.

Despite the recent decrease in volume of incidents, vessel's operating in this region should remain vigilant, implement proper security measures, and report any suspicious activities to authorities.

• No alerts reported this week.
• Last reported alert - Panamanian-flagged Cargo Vessel hit by gunfire while docked at Port Au Prince, Haiti on 18 Mar.
• Haiti remains area of instability and ever-worsening security conditions
• Callao Anchorage, Peru remains an area where there is a higher frequency of reported incidents in the region; specifically, commercial vessels at anchor.
• Among the 13 incidents reported this year in the Americas, 8 occurred within Callao Anchorage; all between 0000-0800 hrs UTC.

[Last reported alert]

According to open-source reports, an unnamed Panamanian-flagged General Cargo Vessel was hit by gunfire while docked at Port Au Prince, Haiti. The exact time of the incident is not specified.

Following the attack, the vessel left the port and started drifting approximately 40NM offshore. No injuries to the Crew, or significant damage to the vessel have been reported.

Analysis: The escalating instability and worsening security conditions in Haiti have led the French container line CMA CGM to suspend its services to Port Au Prince. Similarly, the US-based Royal Caribbean company has halted its cruise ship services to Labadee, located on the island's Northern coast.

All findings are predictive and estimative. To communicate these findings clearly and in order to accurately compare threat levels, the report uses a variation of terminology used by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

Piracy: CV has adopted the definition of piracy similar to that given in the BMP. Content within this document uses the term ‘piracy’ which includes all violent and non-violent acts against vessels, her crew and cargo which have taken place either in internal waterways, territorial waters or deep offshore. CV classifies piracy incidents into six categories:

Hijacking – Crew lost control of the vessel for a sufficient period of time and then pirates kidnapped at least one crewmember and/or passenger(s).

Pirate Attack – Vessel was attacked with gunfire or RPG fire and/or then boarded the vessel with the intent to hijack and/or kidnap at least one crewmember(s) and/or passenger(s).

Robbery – Vessel is boarded with criminal intent, theft does not have to occur.

Suspicious approach/vessels – Suspicious activity reported (i.e. a vessel was approached by unidentified craft with one or more persons on board) or sighting of firearms and boarding equipment on board a suspicious vessel and/or sighting of a confirmed pirate mother ship.

General Alert – A reported incident has been released by authorities to notify seafarers of a possible incident which is still being investigated/confirmed. This can also be a warning of an imminent Danger to seafarers.

Caution – An unconfirmed warning of an incident that could affect seafarers.

With our head office in the UK, and regional offices in East, West and South Africa, the Castor Vali Group specialises in International Protective Services, Corporate Security and Risk Management services to governments, multinational organisations and the energy sector in emerging and high risk markets. We have extensive experience and a thorough understanding of the risks when operating in remote and hostile environments with safety at the heart of our operations and we are proud to consistently deliver the most complex projects safely, on time and on budget. Our security and advisory experts are highly experienced and qualified to provide a dedicated, client focused service, delivering risk mitigation solutions carefully tailored to project priorities.

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You have received this report as part of your organisation’s subscription. Castor Vali assessment and advice is given based on the information received and processed by us and the surrounding circumstances known to us to exist at the time. Subsequent changes to relevant information or the surrounding circumstances may affect the reliability of our assessment and advice, but we do not accept responsibility for that effect. We do not accept responsibility for the outcome of any action taken or not taken as a result of our assessment and advice unless the possibility of that action being taken or not taken is set out in specific terms in our instructions.