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Monday 12 February 2024 to Monday 19 February 2024 |
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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
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Total no of incidents: 05 |
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Incident mapping - Overview |
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Threat Level
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Total of Incidents
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- No alerts reported this week.
- Last reported incident - robbery of anchored cargo vessel in Lagos Port, Nigeria on 7 of Feb.
- Incidents underline continued risk faced by vessels and their crew members operating in this area, and the inability of regional authorities to respond expeditiously.
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Previous Reporting Period |
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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07/02/2024
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0130 UTC
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ROBBERY
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6°25'52.00"N
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3°21'4.00"E
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During the evening hours of February 7th, a group of eight individuals illicitly boarded a vessel and made off with paint. The crew members and the ship itself remain unharmed following the incident.
Analysis: This is the third reported incident taking place in Nigerian waters this year. In 2023, 4 reported incidents were in Nigerian waters. Further, this is the 3rd reported robbery at this port within 24 by a group of 8-10 individuals involving international shipping.
General incidents involving international craft take place during night conditions while anchored or berthed at Nigerian ports, usually thefts of ship properties. However, incidents involving local craft are common with violence being commonplace in kidnapping, attacks or hijackings.
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West Africa Weekly Comparison |
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2023-2024 West Africa Monthly Comparison |
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Threat Level
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Total of Incidents
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Five alerts reported this week.
- Firing exercise in Northern Arabian Sea on 17 Feb.
- Attack on Tanker in Red Sea on 16 Feb
- Attack on Bulk Carrier in Gulf of Aden on 15 Feb.
- Suspicious Approach in Red Sea on 14 Feb.
- Attack on Bulk Carrier in Bab El Mandeb on 12 Feb.
Attacks have begun to escalate in both frequency and in targeting on non-Israeli linked vessels, posing significant risk to transiting vessels.
Severe risk level due to recent attacks on international shipping related to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Region related to the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
Spillover effects have been indicated with recent spikes of Somali based piracy, in addition to piracy in unusual locations.
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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17/02/2024
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09:15 UTC
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Caution
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23°10'0.00"N
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64°4'60.00"E
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The UKMTO has issued a warning about a scheduled live depth charge firing and underwater demolition. The activities will take place from 1900 UTC on February 17th to 1900 UTC on February 19th in the following areas:
25° 00.00' N, 064° 05.00' E; 24° 56.00' N, 066° 10.00' E; 23° 10.00' N, 066° 13.00' E; 23° 10.00' N, 064° 05.00' E.
Analysis: Vessels are advised to steer clear of these areas during the specified schedule. All vessels in the vicinity are urged to stay alert and report any incidents to the UKMTO. Additionally, any interference noted on Radios/Radars/GPS should be reported to the UKMTO.
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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16/02/2024
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13:31 UTC
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Attack
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14°3'0.00"
N
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42°16'54.00"E
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A tanker flying under the Panamanian flag was reportedly attacked 63 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, Yemen. The captain of a nearby ship confirmed that three missiles were fired at the crude oil tanker. The first two missiles landed in the water close to the vessel, while the third struck the port side of the main deck. No casualties have been reported and a coalition warship has been alerted. An update has been received indicating that the tanker suffered minor damage, but no smoke or fire has been reported. The vessel and crew are reported to be safe, and military authorities are responding to the incident.
Analysis: Ongoing attacks against maritime shipping has continued to escalate within the region. The Opus Mundi for attacks occur between UAS stalking, kinetic strikes, small boat attacks, hijackings, and missile attacks. While coalition assets within region have increased in an effort to deter attacks, continued strikes on international shipping demonstrate need for caution when transiting the region.
Successful deterrence and prevention methods have been Armed Security Teams on vessels, and keeping in close proximity communication with coalition warships patrolling in the area.
The Castor vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis to support informed decision-making in navigating these waters. Vessels are advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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15/02/2024
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13:45 UTC
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Attack
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12°40'0.00"N
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46°55'0.00"E
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The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an incident occurring 85NM East of Aden, Yemen. The Captain of a Barbados-flagged Bulk Carrier reported an explosion occurring near the vessel. The ship sustained minor damage from shrapnel resulting from the explosion. All crew members and the vessel are confirmed safe, and the ship is continuing to her next destination.
Analysis: All vessels are advised to proceed with caution in this area and report any unusual activity to the UKMTO.
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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14/02/2024
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23:00 UTC
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Suspicious Approach
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13°9'42.00"N
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43°5'24.00"E
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The Captain of a Marshall Islands-flagged Bulk Carrier recently reported the sighting of two potential Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) while the ship was approximately 12NM Southwest of Al Mukha, Yemen.
Upon the initial sighting of the first aerial object, the Captain executed evasive actions, including swift changes in course. A second aerial object was then observed approaching the vessel from the direction of the mainland, but it soon left the vicinity. After about ten minutes, the first aerial object also vanished from sight.
The vessel and her crew are reported safe, and the Bulk Carrier is proceeding with her journey.
Analysis: This incident occurred only two days after an attack on another Marshall Islands-flagged Bulk Carrier, STAR IRIS, in the same area approximately 40NM South of Al Mukha. That vessel was attacked by two missiles and sustained minor damage as a result.
Vessels are advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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12/02/2024
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00:35 UTC
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Attack
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12°38'30.00"N
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43°15'54.00"E
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The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an attack on a Marshall Islands-flagged Bulk Carrier, STAR IRIS (IMO: 9284910), approximately 40NM South of Al Mukha, Yemen. According to reports from the Master of the vessel, the ship was attacked by two missiles. The UKMTO has also confirmed that the vessel sustained minor damage as a result of the attack.
The crew is reported to be safe and the vessel is continuing to her next port of call. The exact position of the incident has not been released, but an investigation is currently underway.
Analysis: STAR IRIS is owned by Athens-headquartered, NASDAQ listed Star Bulk Carriers, and is the second Star Bulk vessel to be targeted by the Houthis in a week. On February 6, Houthis attacked the STAR NASIA, which reported that an explosion near the ship had caused minor damage but that it was proceeding on its voyage.
A report by Reuters cited sources stating the STAR IRIS had reportedly suffered damage to its Starboard side. Reuters cites both Ambrey and analytics group Kpler as saying that the vessel was reportedly headed to Bandar Imam Khomeini, one of Iran’s biggest ports and a major grains terminal.
The Castor vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis to support informed decision-making in navigating these waters.
Vessels are advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.
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Indian Ocean Weekly Comparison |
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2023-2024 Indian Ocean Monthly Comparison |
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Threat Level
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Total of Incidents
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- No alerts reported this week.
- Last reported incident - Robbery of underway bulk carrier in Singapore Straits on 5 Feb..
- Phillip Channel remains key area of robberies and boardings within Singapore & Malacca Straits.
- There have been at least 67 incidents reported in the vicinity of Singapore Strait in 2023, and 58 in 2022 of which occurred in, or near, the TSS
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Previous Reporting Period |
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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05/02/2024
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20:54 UTC
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Robbery
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1°9'33.00
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103°28'21.60"E
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A ship en route to Singapore Anchorage from Brazil reported an incident of four armed individuals sighted in the steering gear room. The intruders fled when the general alarm was activated. The ship's captain reported the incident to the Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) and a search was conducted, but the intruders were not found. At approximately 0543 hrs, the captain confirmed that nothing was stolen and all crew members were safe, requiring no further assistance. The incident was reported to the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF), Singapore Police Coast Guard, and Indonesian authorities. Upon the ship's arrival at the Port of Singapore, a thorough search was conducted by the Singapore Police Coast Guard, but no intruders were found onboard.
Analysis: This is the third reported incident this year which occurred within the wider Singapore & Malacca Straits region.
In 2023, at least 67 incidents occurred within, or near, the Singapore & Malacca Straits.
Incidents within this region typically involve individuals armed with small knives or blunt objects. These robbers usually escape upon detection, with stolen ships' properties, stores or cargo, with minimal violence occurring between crew and robbers. However, based on the volume of incidents, vessel's operating in this region should remain vigilant, implement proper security measures, and report any suspicious activities to authorities.
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Southeast Asia Weekly Comparison |
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2023 - 2024 Southeast Asia Monthly Comparison |
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Threat Level
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Total of Incidents
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- No alerts reported this week.
- Last reported incident was a robbery of anchored bulk carrier in Callo Anchorage, Peru, on the 16th of Nov.
- 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 12 incidents reported this year in the Americas, 8 occurred within Callao Anchorage; all between 0000-0800 hrs UTC.
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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16/11/2023
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0540 UTC
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ROBBERY
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11° 58' 60.00"S
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77° 13' 0.00"W
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Reports indicate that a Bulk Carrier anchored at Callao, Peru was boarded by two armed robbers who stole from the ship's stores at the forward station. The incident was reported to the local port authorities. All crew members are confirmed to be safe.
Analysis: This is the eighth incident of this type to be reported in Callao anchorage this year, with eight similar incidents occurring in the anchorage last year. In most reported cases in this area, robbers were armed with knives and were able to escape with ship's and/or crew property.
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Americas Weekly Comparison |
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2023 - 2024 Americas Monthly Comparison |
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Weekly Alert Comparison by Area |
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2023 - 2024 Overall Monthly Comparison |
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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).
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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.
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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
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Contact us:
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Disclaimer
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.
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