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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 were reported this week.
• Last reported alert - Armed Robbery aboard Tanker South-southwest of Cape Verde on 17 May.
• Despite the 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,

• Four alerts were reported this week.

1. Advisory - Houthis launched ASBMs in Red Sea on 25 May.
2. Suspicious Approach on Panama-flagged Cargo Vessel off Eyl, Somalia on 23 May.
3. Merchant Vessel Boarded by unauthorised persons Southeast of Merca, Somalia on 23 May.
4. ASBMs fired at Merchant Vessel 98NM South of Al Hudaydah, Yemen on 23 May.

• Attacks continue to escalate in both frequency and in the targeting of non-Israeli linked vessels, posing significant risk to vessels transiting the 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 of 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.

Open-source reports indicate that at approximately 03:50. (Sanaa time) on May 25, Iranian-backed Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) toward the Red Sea.

Additionally, at approximately 10:00 (Sanaa time) on May 26, US Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed one uncrewed aerial system (UAS) over the Red Sea, launched from an Iranian-backed Houthi controlled area of Yemen.

There were no injuries or damage reported by US, coalition, or commercial ships. It was determined the UAS presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels in the region.

A Panama-flagged General Cargo Vessel was reportedly approached while underway approximately 222NM East of Eyl, Somalia.

Three dhows, identified as AL MASOOD 1, AL MASOOD 2, and an unmarked dhow, began to follow the cargo vessel for up to five hours. The Master of the cargo vessel received a request via VHF to reduce speed but instead increased speed and activated a distress signal. The cargo vessel successfully distanced itself from the suspicious dhows by maintaining the increased speed.

Analysis: This the second incident to be reported on the same day off the Somalian coast. The first incident was a Panama-flagged General Cargo vessel that was boarded approximately 420NM Southeast of Merca, Somalia. The boarders of this first vessel have reportedly departed and all crew members are safe. The crew had reportedly retreated to the Citadel, and a European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) military vessel attended the incident, confirming that the offenders were no longer aboard.

Both incidents occurred only five days 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 in an unspecified area off the coast of Garacad, Somalia since 18:26 UTC on May 17, 2024.

Also occurring in the region, on March 11, 2024, the MV ABDULLAH (IMO: 9745598), a Bangladeshi-flagged Bulk Carrier, was seized by Somali pirates 600NM East of Mogadishu, Somalia while it was transporting coal from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates.

It is assessed that this PAG is likely seeking additional ships to target. The Castor Vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis to support informed decision-making in navigating these waters.

Vessels in the area are strongly advised to maintain a safe distance from this region, exercise extreme caution, and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an incident involving a missile impact near a Merchant Vessel approximately 98NM South of Al Hudaydah, Yemen.

The Master of the vessel reported that the missile impacted the water in close proximity to the Port side of the ship. All crew members are safe, and the vessel is continuing to its next port of call.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident. Vessels transiting the area are advised to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued a warning regarding an incident involving a Panama-flagged General Cargo vessel that was boarded by an unknown number of unauthorized persons from two small craft approximately 420NM Southeast of Merca, Somalia.

Update: The Company Security Officer has reported that the unauthorized boarders have departed the MV and all crew members are safe. The crew had reportedly retreated to the Citadel, and a European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) military vessel attended the incident, confirming that the offenders were no longer aboard.

Analysis: This incident comes five days 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 in an unspecified area off the coast of Garacad, Somalia (approximately 300NM North of the reported incident) since 18:26 UTC on May 17, 2024.

Also occurring in the region, on March 11, 2024, the MV ABDULLAH (IMO: 9745598), a Bangladeshi-flagged Bulk Carrier, was seized by Somali pirates 600NM East of Mogadishu, Somalia while it was transporting coal from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates.

It is assessed that these groups are likely seeking additional ships to target. The Castor Vali team will continue to provide updates and analysis to support informed decision-making in navigating these waters.

Vessels in the area are strongly advised to maintain a safe distance from this region, exercise extreme caution, and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

• One alert reported this week.
• Liberian-flagged Cargo Vessel Boarded by armed robbers in Phillip Channel on 20 May.
• Overall decrease in reports in region - 15 this year to date.
• Despite the 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).

A Liberian-flagged Cargo Ship was reportedly boarded while navigating through the Phillip Channel. Crew members reported sighting five intruders armed with knives in the steering room. Upon raising the alarm, the intruders fled the scene without taking anything.

There were no reports of stolen items or injuries to the crew.

Analysis: There have been at least six similar incidents reported this year in this area. In 2023 at least 67 incidents occurred within, or near, the Singapore & Malacca Straits; most in the vicinity of Phillip Channel.

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.

• 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.