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

• No alerts reported this week.
• Last reported alert - Armed Robbery aboard Tanker South-southwest of Cape Verde on 17 May.
• Despite recent drop in incident reports, vessels and their crew members operating in the wider West African/Gulf of Guinea region remain at risk.
• 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 report has been received by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) about a robbery aboard a Tanker while it was underway approximately 363NM South-southwest of Nova Sintra, Cape Verde.

Ten armed individuals, all reportedly wielding AK-47 variant rifles, boarded the Tanker. They entered the bridge, destroyed all communication equipment, and confined all crew members in a room. After two hours, the crew managed to free themselves and found that the intruders had fled, taking cash and various ship's property. The crew managed to repair some of the communication equipment and proceeded to the next port.

No crew injuries were reported, and the incident was reported to the authorities in Cape Verde.

Analysis: This is the first incident to be reported in this general area, and this far North, this year. However, boardings and kidnappings/attempted kidnappings continue to be reported in the greater West African/Gulf of Guinea region.

All vessels transiting within the area are advised to exercise extreme caution, remain vigilant, retain an enhanced local surveillance, maintain strict Anti-Piracy Watch,

• Eight alerts were reported this week.

           1) A Tanker Attack was reported Southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen on 01 June.

           2) Advisory - US Forces intercept Houthi UAVs and ASBMs in the Southern Red Sea                   on 01 June.

           3) Advisory - Houthis launched UAVs and ASBMs at targets in the Red Sea and Gulf                 of Aden on 31 May.

           4) Notice of Firing Exercise in Northern Arabian Sea on 31 May.

           5) Suspicious Approach on vessel Near Bosaso, Somalia on 31 May.

           6) Advisory - ASBMs fired at a Merchant Vessel near Al Hudaydah, Yemen on 28                       May.

           7) Advisory - US Warship Destroyed UAVs Over Red Sea on 28 May.

           8) Advisory - US Warship Destroyed UAVs Over Red Sea on 27 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.
• Continued reports Pirate Action Group (PAG) (possibly comprised of Somali/Yemeni nationals) operating in the region. Somali based piracy, has surged with regional instability, with deep strikes in the Indian Ocean being reported. It is assessed that this PAG is likely seeking additional ships to target.

An attack on a Tanker has been reported approximately 48NM Southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The Master of the vessel witnessed an explosion at a significant distance from the vessel.

All crew members were reported safe, and the vessel is continuing to its next port of call.

All vessels in the area are advised to proceed with caution and to report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.

Between 06:00 and 16:30 UTC, US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in the Southern Red Sea. Additionally, CENTCOM forces observed two other UAVs crash into the Red Sea.

Separately, between 16:00 and 20:30 UTC, CENTCOM forces successfully engaged two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) in the Southern Red Sea. The ASBMs were fired in the direction of USS GRAVELY (DDG-107) and were destroyed in self-defense.

No injuries or damage were reported by US, coalition, or commercial ships.

All vessels in the area are advised to proceed with caution and to report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.

Open source reports indicate that at 22:30 UTC on May 31st, Houthi militants launched an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) into the Red Sea. The UAV crashed into the water with no reports of casualties or damage.

Separately, between 02:53 and 07:59 UTC on June 1st, U.S. forces successfully destroyed a UAV and two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) over the Gulf of Aden.

These actions were conducted without incident.

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 reported that the Pakistani Navy will conduct live firing exercises between 04:00 and 17:00 UTC on the following dates in June: 3rd-7th, 10th-14th, 20th-21st, and 24th-28th. The exercises will take place in the following areas:

A) 24-24.30N  066-42.00E  

     24-19.00N 066-58.00E  

     24-00.00N 066-39.00E  

     24-11.00N 066-27.00E

B) 24-36.02N  062-30.03E 

     24-36.02N 063-15.03E 

     24-21.02N 063-15.03E 

     24-21.02N 062-30.03E

C. 24-36.02N  061-45.03E 

    24-36.02N 062-30.03E 

    24-21.02N 062-30.03E 

    24-21.02N 061-45.03E

D. 24-22.00N  066-27.00E 

    24-16.30N 066-33.00E 

    24-10.30N 066-27.00E 

    24-16.18N 066-20.50E

Ships and craft are to keep clear of assigned danger areas on the above-specified schedule.

All vessels in the area are advised to proceed cautiously and report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.

A merchant vessel underway approximately 120NM Northeast of Bosaso, Somalia, experienced a Suspicious Approach by three skiffs and a mother vessel. The vessel increased speed, executed anti-boarding maneuvers, and the armed security team (AST) displayed their weapons on the bridge wings. These actions deterred the perpetrators, who ceased their approach, allowing the vessel to continue its transit.

Analysis: This incident occurred approximately 10 days after a Suspicious Approach was reported off the Eastern coast of Somalia, and two weeks after the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported a Pirate Action Group (PAG) was possibly operating in the region.

The PAG reportedly consisted of two boats, manned by Somali and Yemeni nationals, active off the coast of Garacad, Somalia since May 17, 2024. It is assessed that this PAG is likely seeking additional ships to target.

All vessels in the area are advised to proceed with caution and to report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has received reports of multiple attacks on a vessel which occurred Southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen, and Northwest of Al Mukha, Yemen.

On 28 May 2024 at 09:30 UTC, a Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek-owned/managed (Grehel Ship Management of Piraeus, Greece) Bulk Carrier LAAX (IMO: 9512355) reported a missile attack 31NM southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The vessel reportedly sustained further damage from an additional attack, but crew remains safe.

Analysis: In the first attack on the LAAX, off the port city of Hudaydah in the southern Red Sea, the vessel reportedly “sustained damage” in the attack and later reported an “impact in the water in close proximity to the vessel.” Radio traffic has also suggested the vessel sustained damage to the cargo hold and took on water after being struck.

Late Tuesday night, the UKMTO reported the LAAX had “sustained further damage” in a second missile attack near Mokha in the Bab el-Mandeb.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has also identified the targeted ship as the LAAX. CENTCOM separately said it had destroyed five Houthi drones over the Red Sea amid the attacks.

The LAAX is reportedly headed to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, her next port of call.

Coalition forces are currently investigating the incident. Vessels in the area are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

Open-source reports indicate that a US warship successfully engaged and destroyed five Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) over the Red Sea. The UAV was launched from an Iranian-backed Houthi controlled area of Yemen.

No damage or injuries were reported by US, Coalition, or merchant vessels.

Separately, between 12:05 and 13:40 (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthis launched five anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Red Sea. MV LAAX, a Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek owned and operated Bulk Carrier, reported being struck by three of the missiles, but continued its voyage.

There were no additional incidents reported by US, coalition, or merchant vessels

Open-source reports state that a US warship successfully engaged and destroyed one Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) over the Red Sea. The UAV was launched from an Iranian-backed Houthi controlled area of Yemen.

No damage or injuries were reported by US, Coalition, or merchant vessels. It was determined the UAS presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels in the region.

Vessels in the area are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

• One alert was reported this week.

           1) Attempted Robbery at Vung Tau Anchorageon 29 May.

• The overall decrease in reports in region - 16 this year to date.
• Despite the decrease, Phillip Channel remains a key area of robberies and boardings within the Singapore & Malacca Straits.
• A decrease in incidents in areas within and surrounding Singapore territorial waters may be due to recent increased patrols by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

An attempted Robbery occurred aboard an anchored Cargo Ship at Vung Tau Anchorage, Vietnam. Duty crew observed an unauthorized person onboard. Upon raising the alarm and shouting, the intruder fled empty-handed on a wooden boat with two accomplices.

Analysis: This is the first reported incident this year in the Vung Tau Anchorage. However, in 2023 there were two reported incidents in Vung Tau Anchorage.

All previously reported incidents involved targeted theft of ships' properties/supplies, or vessel cargo by unidentified personnel. The nature of the thefts were non-violent, with individuals departing either upon detection, or the theft being discovered after escaping.

• 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.