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Monday 15 January 2024 to Monday 22 January 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: 12 |
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Incident mapping - Overview |
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Threat Level
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Total of Incidents
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- One alert reported this week.
- Robbery of anchored unidentified vessel at Soyo anchorage, Angola on 15 Jan.
- Current intelligence indicates a Piracy Action Group operating in the Gulf of Guinea.
- 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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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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15/01/2024
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0100 UTC
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ROBBERY
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6°4'60.00"S
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12°15'0.00"E
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On the evening of January 15th a vessel anchored at Soyo outer anchorage in Angola was boarded by unidentified thieves. The unauthorized boarding and theft was discovered during routine morning inspection by the crew.
The stolen items were identified as the vessel's mooring lines. The exact time of the incident is unknown, and no suspects were identified at the time of the incident. The ship and her crew have been reported safe.
Analysis: This is the fourth incident reported in an Angolan port this year, the first occurring in Soyo, and all occurring within a week. However, in 2023 the Angolan ports of Soyo and Luanda saw at least six reported incidents, most occurring while the vessels were at anchorage.
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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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Eleven alerts reported this week.
- Live fire exercise off Pakistan on 23 Jan.
- Attack on chemical tanker in Gulf of Aden on 18 Jan.
- UAS incident in Gulf of Aden on 18 Jan.
- Attack on bulk carrier in Gulf of Aden on 17 Jan.
- Suspicious approach near Mocha, Yemen on 17 Jan.
- Live fire exercise in Northern Arabian Sea on 17 Jan.
- UAS incident in Gulf of Aden on 16 Jan.
- Attack on bulk carrier near Saleef, Yemen on 16 Jan.
- Suspicious Approach near Assab, Eritrea on 15 Jan.
- Attack on bulk carrier in Gulf of Aden on 15 Jan.
- Suspicious Approach in Red Sea on 15 Jan.
2 alerts reported from previous period.
Attack on USS Laboon in Red Sea on 14 Jan.
Live fire exercise off Pakistan on 14 Jan.
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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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23/01/2024
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0000 UTC
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Caution
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25°10'60.00"N
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64°39'0.00 "E
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The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued a notice indicating a Live Weapon Firing Exercise scheduled for 23rd and 24th January 2024.
The exercise is to take place between 0300-1100 UTC in an area bounded by an arc of radius 14000 meters centered at coordinates 25-11.00N 064-39.00E, between 110 to 260 degrees (clockwise).
Ships and crafts are advised to steer clear of the designated danger area during the specified schedule. All vessels in the area are urged to stay alert and report any incidents 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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18/01/2024
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1900 UTC
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Attack
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12°26'60.00"N
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46°52'60.00"E
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The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an attack on a vessel located 110NM Southeast of Aden, Yemen. The Captain of the Marshall Island-flagged, US-owned, Greek-operated Chemical Tanker, CHEM RANGER (IMO: 9490296), reported an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying close to the vessel, followed by an explosion in the water approximately 30 meters from the vessel's Port side.
A statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists had launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles at the CHEM RANGER. The statement also said the crew saw the missiles land in the water near the ship. Coalition forces responded to the incident, and the vessel and crew have been reported safe. The vessel is continuing her journey to the next port.
Analysis: This incident is the third Houthi attack on commercial shipping in three days, including the attack on the previous day, where a one-way attack drone launched from a Houthi-controlled part of Yemen struck the Marshall Islands-flagged, US-owned and -operated Bulk Carrier GENCO PICARDY 60NM Southeast of Aden.
The CHEM RANGER is the third US-owned vessel to be hit by the Houthis since the January 15 strike on Eagle Bulk’s GIBRALTAR EAGLE, which was followed the next day by a strike on the Maltese-flagged, and Greek-owned, bulker ZOGRAFIA, operated by Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprise.
All vessels in these previous attacks are in categories being targeted by the Houthis: GIBRALTAR EAGLE and GENCO PICARDY are US-owned, while the ZOGRAFIA was headed for Israel. The incident is currently under investigation by the authorities, and the Castor Vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis upon receipt of confirmed information to support informed decision-making. All vessels in the area 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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18/01/2024
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0000 UTC
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General Alert
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13°5'60.00"N
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50°0'0.00"E
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The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an incident occurring approximately 85NM Southeast of Ash Shihr, Yemen. Update: The vessel reported that one of the UAS crashed into the water about 800 meters away. The vessel and its crew are safe and are continuing to their next destination.
Analysis: There have been several reports over the last week of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) sightings in this general location, with UKMTO reporting a sighting of an unidentified UAV approximately 150NM Southeast of Ash Shihr on January 16th.
This incident remains under investigation by the authorities, and the Castor Vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis upon receipt of confirmed information. All vessels in the area 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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17/01/2024
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1735 UTC
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ATTACK
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11°58'0.00"N
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45°31'0.00"E
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The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an attack on a Marshall Islands-flagged Bulk Carrier, GENCO PICARDY (IMO: 9301720), approximately 60NM Southeast of Aden, Yemen. The vessel's captain reported that an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) struck the Port side of the ship. A fire broke out on board as a result of the attack, but it has since been extinguished. The vessel and its crew are safe and are continuing to their next port of call.
Analysis: Multiple sources report that within hours of the attack on the GENCO PICARDY (American owned and operated by Genco Shipping & Trading Limited) U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted strikes on 14 Iran-backed Houthi missiles that were loaded to be fired in Houthi controlled areas in Yemen.
The Indian Navy has confirmed that its destroyer, INS Visakhapatnam, responded to the bulker’s distress call and intercepted the vessel at 00.30 a.m Thursday morning. It confirmed that there were no injuries among the 22 crew, which includes nine Indians. Indian Navy EOD specialists inspected and rendered safe the damaged area before clearing the vessel to continue underway.
The GENCO PICARDY is the second US owned vessel, and third bulk carrier, to be hit by the Houthis since the January 15 strike on Eagle Bulk’s GIBRALTAR EAGLE, which was followed the next day by a strike on the Maltese-flagged, and Greek-owned, bulker ZOGRAFIA, operated by Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprise. Both vessels in these previous attacks are in categories being targeted by the Houthis: GIBRALTAR EAGLE is US owned, while the ZOGRAFIA was headed for Israel.
The incident is currently under investigation by the authorities, and the Castor Vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis upon receipt of confirmed information to support informed decision-making. All vessels in the area 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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17/01/2024
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0330 UTC
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Suspicious Approach
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13°17'4.80"N
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42°59'3.00"E
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A vessel underway approximately 15NM Southwest of Mocha, Yemen, reported a Suspicious Approach. The vessel was reportedly followed by eight small craft, which subsequently left the area. The vessel and its crew are confirmed to be safe.
Analysis: The incident is currently under investigation by the authorities, and the Castor Vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis upon receipt of confirmed information. All vessels in the area 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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17/01/2024
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0000 UTC
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Caution
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24°15'0.00"
N
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64°40'60.00"E
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Naval vessels are carrying out a Depth Charge Firing Exercise using live ammunition from 01:00 UTC on January 17 to 17:00 UTC on January 18 in the following areas:
A. 24-15.00N 064-41.00E / 24-15.00N 065-25.00E / 23-15.00N 065-25.00E / 23-15.00N 064-41.00E
B. 24-11.00N 062-59.00E / 24-11.00N 064-05.00E / 23-15.00N 064-05.00E / 23-15.00N 062-59.00E
Mariners are advised to exercise caution. This message is to be cancelled at 19:00 UTC on January 18.
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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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16/01/2024
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0000 UTC
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General Alert
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13°34'60.00" N
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51°16'0.00
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A report has been received by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) about the sighting of an unidentified Uncrewed Aerial System approximately 150NM Southeast of Ash Shihr, Yemen.
Analysis: The incident is currently under investigation by the authorities, and the Castor Vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis upon receipt of confirmed information to support informed decision-making.
All vessels in the area 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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15/01/2024
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2200 UTC
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Suspicious Approach
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13°41'16.80"N
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42°35'21.60"E
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The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an incident approximately 57NM North-northwest of Assab, Eritrea.
The ship's Master reported a small craft circling the vessel. The onboard Armed Security Team (AST) displayed their weapons and fired warning shots, causing the suspicious craft to leave the area. The vessel and its crew are reported to be safe and are continuing to their next port.
Analysis: The incident is currently under investigation by the authorities, and the Castor Vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis upon receipt of confirmed information to support informed decision-making.
All vessels in the area 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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16/01/2024
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1100 UTC
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Attack
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16°8'60.00"N
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41°0'0.00"E
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The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an incident approximately 100NM Northwest of Saleef, Yemen.
The Malta-flagged, Greek-owned, Bulk Carrier, ZOGRAFIA (IMO: 9486013), was reportedly struck by a missile while northbound in the Red Sea approximately 100NM Northwest of the Yemeni port of Saleef, while sailing from Vietnam to Israel with 24 crew on board and empty of cargo.
The vessel's Company Security Officer (Piraeus-based Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises) reported that an unknown object struck the ship in the cargo hold, causing damage just above the water line. No fires or casualties were reported, only material damage to the vessel. The vessel and crew were reported to be safe, and the vessel is continuing her voyage to the next port of call, but would "probably reroute for safety checks."
Analysis: According to multiple open sources, the Houthis carried out the attack on the vessel using anti-ship ballistic missiles, resulting in a "direct hit." Multiple reports also suggest the ZOGRAFIA was attacked twice, initially by a small boat and later by missile.
The incident is currently under investigation by the authorities, and the Castor Vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis upon receipt of confirmed information to support informed decision-making.
All vessels in the area are advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.
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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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14/01/2024
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1630 UTC
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Caution
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25°10'60.00"N
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66°45'0.00
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The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has announced that a Live Weapon Firing Exercise will take place on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of January 2024.
The safety range for the exercise is 6NM, with firing arcs between 220 and 310 degrees (clockwise) from 02:00-14:00UTC.
Ships and crafts are advised to steer clear of the designated danger area during the specified schedule. All vessels in the area are urged to stay alert and report any incidents to the UKMTO. Additionally, vessels are asked to notify the UKMTO if they experience any interference with their radios, radars, or GPS systems.
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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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14/01/2024
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0445 UTC
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Attack
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14°36'24.00"N
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42°26'36.00"E
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According to open source reports, an anti-ship cruise missile was launched by the Houthis towards the USS LABOON (DDG-58), a US Arleigh Burke-class destroyer which was operating in the Southern Red Sea in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG).
The missile was intercepted by US fighter aircraft near the coast of Hudaydah, Yemen. No injuries or damages were reported.
Analysis: According to open source reports, an anti-ship cruise missile was launched by the Houthis towards the USS LABOON (DDG-58), a US Arleigh Burke-class destroyer which was operating in the Southern Red Sea in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG).
The missile was intercepted by US fighter aircraft near the coast of Hudaydah, Yemen. No injuries or damages were reported.
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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 incidents reported this week.
- Last reported incident is unauthorized boarding attempt aboard Tanker at Dumai Anchorage on 12 Jan.
- Phillip Channel remains key area of robberies and boardings within Singapore & Malacca Straits.
- There were 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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1201/2024
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1730 LT
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ROBBERY
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1°43'18.00"N
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101°25'43.80 "E
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A security patrol on duty aboard a Tanker anchored at Dumai Anchorage, Indonesia, spotted five individuals attempting unauthorized access to the vessel. The officer of the watch was alerted and the alarm was sounded, leading the intruders to abandon their attempt and retreat. No theft was reported and the incident was reported to the port authorities.
Analysis: This is the third reported incident this year which occurred in an Indonesian port, as well as within the wider Singapore & Malacca Straits region.
In 2023, 10 reported incidents took place within an Indonesian port, and 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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2022 - 2023 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
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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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