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 alert was reported this week.

1. The most recent incident: Attempted Robbery aboard Bulk Carrier in Takorad Anchorage, Ghana on October 18.

• Despite the recent overall 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.

[Last reported alert]

An attempted robbery was reported aboard a Bulk Carrier anchored at Takoradi Anchorage, Ghana. The duty crew observed movement near cargo hold number one and promptly raised the alarm, leading to the crew mustering.

This response caused the perpetrators to flee without taking any items. The incident was subsequently reported to port authorities, and coastguard personnel boarded the vessel to conduct an investigation.

ANALYSIS: This is the first reported incident this year in the vicinity of Sekondi-Takoradi anchorage, Ghana. Last year, however, seven incidents of a similar nature were reported at this location.

• Two alerts reported this week.

1. Suspicious Approach of Yacht in Gulf of Aden on November 21.

2. Suspicious Approach of Motor Vessel in Northeast of Socotra, Yemen on November 24.

• One reported this week which occurred during previous reporting period.

1. Attack of Bulk Carrier in Off Mocha, Yemen on November 17.

• Despite overall decrease in attacks, reports of sightings and suspicious approaches continue, posing significant risks to vessels transiting Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea.

• Harassment of vessels by IRGC in and around Strait of Hormuz is expected to continue.

• Continued reports of Pirate Action Group (PAG) operating in the region. It is assessed that this PAG is likely seeking additional ships to target.

• Thirteen armed individuals departed from Somalia, heading into the Indian Ocean, on October 23.

A vessel underway approximately 204NM northeast of Socotra, Yemen, was approached by a dhow.

ANALYSIS: The dhow reportedly closed to within 0.5NM at a speed of 6 knots and did not respond to VHF communications. The onboard armed security team (AST) fired two bursts of two signal flares, prompting the dhow to alter its course and pass within 1NM of the vessel's stern. The vessel and crew remained safe throughout the incident.

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

A suspicious approach was reported by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) involving a yacht approximately 74NM southwest of Aden. The Master of the yacht reported that up to 12 small crafts followed their passage over a two-hour period.

ANALYSIS: Evasive maneuvers were initiated when one of the crafts closed to within 1NM. All crew members are safe, and the yacht 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.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an attack on the Panama-flagged Bulk Carrier ANADOLU S (IMO: 9667758) approximately 25NM west of Mocha, Yemen.

Initial reports indicated that a missile impacted the water off the stern of the vessel, but an update from the vessel's Master reported that another missile splashed near the Bulk Carrier on November 18th at 09:58 UTC, 60NM southeast of Aden, Yemen.

ANALYSIS: According to the Joint Maritime Information Center, ANADOLU S had first been contacted over VHF radio by someone claiming to be authorities in Yemen and demanding the ship turn around, but the vessel did not comply with the order.

The vessel and crew are safe and continuing to their next port of call. Authorities are currently investigating the incident.

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

• Two alerts reported this week.

1. Robbery aboard Bulk Carrier in Singapore Strait on November 19.
2. Robbery aboard Bulk Carrier in Singapore Strait on November 19.
• One alert reported this week which occurred during previous reporting period.
1. Boarding aboard Bulk Carrier in Singapore Strait on November 16.
• At least 40 confirmed incidents this year to date, with 27 of those exhibiting similar characteristics and occurring within the Singapore Strait area.
• Phillip Channel remains key area of robberies and boardings within Singapore & Malacca Straits.
• Decrease in incidents in areas within Singapore territorial waters likely due to recent increased patrols by Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

An attempted robbery was reported aboard a Marshall Islands-flagged Bulk Carrier while it was underway in the Philip Channel, Singapore Strait.

The duty crew observed four unarmed perpetrators in the engine room, prompting the robbers to flee without taking any items. The Master confirmed that all crew members were safe and accounted for, and the vessel continued its voyage to Singapore without requiring assistance.

ANALYSIS: This incident brings the total number of reported incidents in the region to at least 39 this year, with 26 of those exhibiting similar characteristics and occurring within the Singapore Strait area.

A robbery was reported aboard a Bahamas-flagged Bulk Carrier while it was underway in the Phillip Channel, Singapore Strait.

Duty crew members discovered three unarmed perpetrators in the engine room, prompting the robbers to flee with stolen engine spares. The Master confirmed that the vessel did not require assistance and continued its voyage to Singapore.

ANALYSIS: This incident brings the total number of reported incidents in the region to at least 38 this year, with 25 of those exhibiting similar characteristics and occurring within the Singapore Strait area.

An attempted boarding incident occurred aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged Bulk Carrier DOKOS (IMO: 9941049) while it was underway in the Philip Channel, Singapore Strait.

Three perpetrators in a small boat attempted to board the vessel on its Starboard quarter. The attempt was thwarted when the ship's alarm was activated and deck lights were illuminated, prompting the perpetrators to retreat southwards. No items were reported stolen, and the crew remained safe.

ANALYSIS: This incident brings the total number of reported incidents in the region to at least 40 this year, with 27 of those exhibiting similar characteristics and occurring within the Singapore Strait area.

• No alerts reported this week.
1. Most recent incident: Robbery aboard Offshore Supply Vessel in Campeche Bay, Mexico on October 25.
• 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]

A robbery occurred aboard a Mexican-flagged Offshore Supply Vessel operating in Campeche Bay, Mexico. The perpetrators boarded the vessel from a small fishing boat, stealing vessel equipment and crew valuables before making their escape.

ANALYSIS: At least three of the armed robbers reportedly fired warning shots, injuring some crew members and forcibly transferring funds from crew members’ savings accounts. This marks the second such incident in ten days, with both events following a similar modus operandi: assailants armed with handguns approached the vessel, coerced crew members into transferring funds, and assaulted crew.

The report’s 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 which AB Watchkeepers have received.

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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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.