Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide
International Shipping News
Two robbers boarded a berthed container ship at Jakarta Container Terminal at 0505 hrs local time. A crewman on duty noticed the robbers in the engine room during routine rounds and proceeded to raise the alarm. Upon hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped from the vessel.
A search was then conducted aboard the ship. Nothing was reported stolen. Vessel and crew were reported safe.
PVI Analysis: Robberies are commonly reported at Indonesian anchorages, particularly overnight when assailants take advantage of low visibility. Robbers are typically opportunistic and non-violent, although there is precedent for robbers to use force in the region.
West Africa
DCR Congo: Armed robbers board vessel in Ango-Ango Inner Anchorage
28 April
Two robbers armed with long knives boarded a vessel at 0604 hrs local time in Ango Inner Anchorage. The deck watch spotted the robbers and the chief officer raised the alarm. The Master ordered the crew to stand by and proceed to the citadel. The robbers stole mooring ropes and left the vessel without injuring the crew.
PVI Analysis:Piracy incidents are rare off the coast of the DRC and maritime criminal incidents tend to be concentrated along the Congo River, where armed robbers intermittently target vessels around Matadi. However, the risk of piracy remains off the DRC due to the presence of pirates along the coast of the Republic of Congo.
Nigeria: Suspected pirates attack tanker off Brass
03 May
Suspected pirates in a speedboat attacked an underway tanker at 2150 hrs local time, some 97 nm south-southwest of Brass. Shots were reportedly fired at the tanker, which conducted evasive measures. The pirates failed to board the vessel and no crew were injured.
PVI Analysis: Nigerian waters remain high risk for criminality. Crew and vessels are vulnerable to opportunist thieves at anchorage and more sophisticated kidnap for ransom attacks, which typically occur 10 – 150 nautical miles off Nigeria’s coastline. Pirates are often armed and violent and there is precedent for attackers to persist when under attack from armed security teams until they have been injured or killed.
China: Two US warships sail in South China Sea
06 May
The US military said two of its warships sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea. The US guided-missile destroyers travelled within 12 nm of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the disputed Spratly Islands. The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, where Chinese, Japanese and some Southeast Asian navies operate. China’s claims in the South China Sea, through which some USD 3 tn of shipborne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
DCR Congo: Boat capsizes on Lake Kivu, killing at least two people
06 May
A boat carrying 60 passengers capsized on Lake Kivu, killing at least two people. Around 50 people have been rescued while several people are still unaccounted for, local authorities said. Boat accidents are common in the DRC, where boats are often overloaded and poorly maintained.
Libya: Coastguard intercepts 98 migrants off al-Khoms
02 May
A coastguard patrol intercepted a vessel carrying 98 migrants in Libyan waters off the northwestern city of al-Khoms. The migrants were taken back to al-Khoms port and detained by security forces. The number of migrant vessels seeking to cross the Mediterranean have dropped sharply since the Libyan National Army (LNA) began its offensive against Tripoli on 4 April, indicative of the role of militia groups in human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Morocco: Security forces detain five suspected human traffickers in Nador
02 May
Security forces detained five people suspected of human trafficking in and around the northern city of Nador, local media reported. The five suspects are members of the same network, which specialises in facilitating illegal migration from the country’s northern coast. Police seized nine inflatable boats, two cars and sea navigation equipment in the operation. Migrant departures from Morocco towards Spain have increased since 2018, as other transit countries have stepped up anti-human trafficking measures.
Morocco: Coast guard rescues 151 off northern coast
05 May
The coast guard rescued 151 migrants from sub-Saharan African countries off the northern coast. The migrants were travelling on inflatable boats that ran into trouble in the Strait of Gibraltar. Migrant departures from Morocco towards Spain have increased since 2018, as other transit countries have stepped up anti-human trafficking measures.
Oman: Authorities arrest 12, seize diesel off Musanam governorate
30 April
Police officers arrested 12 foreign nationals and seized a ship and two smaller vessels used to smuggle 30,000 litres of diesel off the coast of Ras Qabar Hindi, Musandam governorate. Despite cuts to subsidies, criminals continue to carry out offshore fuel smuggling attempts in Oman.
Saudi Arabia: INOC tanker docks at Jeddah after engine failure
01 May
An Iranian National Oil Company (INOC) tanker has docked at Jeddah under escort from Saudi vessels after an engine failure left it unable to reach the Suez Canal. Riyadh has confirmed the incident and stated that it will repatriate all 26 crew members as per the INOC’s wishes. The Saudi coast guard and the INOC have both denied that any environmental damage had occurred following the engine malfunction.
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Source: Protection Vessels International Ltd
