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 - Fraudulent distress call targeting vessel near Tombua, Angola on 15 Apr.
• 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.

[Last Reported Incident]

On 15 April 2024, at approximately 03:52Z, a ship received a SAT-C phone call from an individual claiming to be from the Coast Guard and Gris-Nez MRCC.

The caller reported a fishing vessel in distress, requesting assistance from the ship. The reported location of the distressed fishing vessel was about 0.5NM from the Tombua harbor in Angola, and 150NM from the ship’s position.

The ship contacted Gris-Nez MRCC to verify the distress call. However, Gris-Nez MRCC was unable to confirm the distress, leading the ship to determine that the call was not genuine.

• Three alerts were reported this week.

           1) French Navy intercepted and destroyed UAV near Bab el Mandeb on 4 May.

           2) US Navy intercepted and destroyed USV in Red Sea near Al Mukha, Yemen on 30                 Apr.

          3) Missile and UAV attack on Bulk Carrier, CYCLADES, 54NM Northwest of Al Mukha,                 Yemen on 29 Apr.

• One alert was reported from last week.

           1) UAV Attack on Container Ship, MSC ORION, in the Indian Ocean on 26 Apr.

• 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.

According to open-source reports, the French Navy frigate FS LORRAINE (D657), while escorting three commercial ships Northbound in the Bab El Mandeb, successfully intercepted a Houthi Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) using an Aster missile.

The incident did not result in any reported damage or injuries.

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

According to open-source information, an unmanned surface vessel (USV), launched from an area in Yemen under Houthi control, was intercepted and destroyed by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces in the Red Sea.

The vessel was deemed an immediate threat to US, coalition forces, and commercial ships in the region.

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

Reports indicate that the Greek operated, Maltese-flagged Bulk Carrier CYCLADES (IMO: 9799616) was attacked approximately 54NM Northwest of Al Mukha, Yemen. The vessel was targeted by at least three anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) and three Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) while en route from Djibouti to Jeddah. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has confirmed that at least one explosion occurred near the merchant vessel. Further reports, including from the vessel's Company Security Officer, indicate that the vessel sustained damage from the incident.

The vessel and her crew are reported to be safe, with no injuries indicated, and are continuing to their next port of call.

Analysis: The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported on Monday that between 10:00 and 17:20 (Sanaa time), the Houthis fired three ASBMs and three UAVs from Yemen into the Red Sea, targeting the CYCLADES. CENTCOM also stated US forces had shot down a drone over the Red Sea on Monday as it was headed “on a flight path towards USS Philippine Sea and USS Laboon.”

The Houthi militants have since claimed responsibility for firing at the CYCLADES, MSC ORION and two additional US vessels. In a statement on social media, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the CYCLADES was targeted because it had docked in an Israeli port on April 21, and additional open-source reports also suggest the vessel was likely targeted due to her listed operator’s ongoing trade with Israel.

[Previous reporting period]

Military authorities have reported an incident involving a suspected Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) attack on Portugal-flagged Container Ship MSC ORION (IMO: 9857157). The incident occurred 170NM Southeast of Socotra, Yemen, and approximately 300-400NM Southeast of the Horn of Africa while the vessel was transiting in the Indian Ocean.

The vessel reportedly sustained minor damage, but her crew are safe and she is continuing to the next port of call.

Analysis: According to LSEG data, MSC ORION was sailing between ports in Portugal and Salalah, Oman, but there have been conflicting reports, including information about her registered owner. Several data providers list the MSC ORION's owner as Zodiac Maritime, which is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer, but a spokesman representing Zodiac Maritime has stated publicly that the company has never owned the vessel.

Despite several other similar attacks in the Indian Ocean, this is the first confirmed at these distances. The Houthis are believed to be using Iranian-manufactured drones which Iran claims have a range of over 600NM.

An investigation into the incident is currently underway. Vessels in the area are advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

• One alert reported this week.

           1) Armed Robbery aboard anchored Oil Tanker at Belawan Anchorage, Indonesia on                 30 Apr.

• Overall decrease in reports in region - 10 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).

An Oil Tanker anchored at Belawan Anchorage, Indonesia was reportedly the target of an Armed Robbery. The crew stated that two individuals, armed with knives, boarded the vessel and stole various items from the ship's stores.

All crew members are safe and the vessel does not need any assistance.

Analysis: This is the second reported incident this year of this type in Belawan Anchorage. Similar incidents have been reported in the area, including in 2023, with armed personnel attempting theft and escaping when discovered.

Incidents within this region typically involve individuals armed with small knives or blunt objects. Robbers usually escape upon detection, with stolen ship properties, stores or cargo, with minimal violence occurring between crew and robbers. Based on the volume of incidents, however, vigilance should be maintained when transiting the area.

• No alerts were 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 an 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.

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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.