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OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report
1 - 30 March 2016
31 March 2016

(U) Table of Contents

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

(U) Scope Note

(U) Summary
(U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories
(U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region
(U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources
(U) Appendix B: Terminology and References

1. (U) Scope Note

(U) The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides info on piracy threats to, and criminal action
against, merchant vessels worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily to inform merchant
mariners and naval forces.

2. (U) Summary
A. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 27 March, the motor launch FATIMA RADZ-AUNA was seized off Arena Blanco, near
Zamboanga. Smuggled sugar was found during a search.
B. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 26 March, the tug BRAHMA 12 and barge ANAND 12 were attacked and the crew of 10
Indonesian sailors was kidnapped.
C. (U) NIGERIA: On 26 March, pirates attacked the chemical tanker SAMPATIKI 30 nm from the Bayelsa coastline,
kidnapping five crewmen.
D. (U) MALAYSIA: On 23 March, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency authorities found two ships carrying
approximately 330,000 liters of smuggled diesel fuel near Bintulu.
E. (U) HONG KONG: On 23 March, Hong Kong Customs authorities inspected a container arriving from Vietnam,
finding a large amount of smuggled animal products.
F. (U) ARABIAN SEA: On 20 March, the French Navy destroyer FS PROVENCE seized a large weapons cache
after boarding a dhow in the northern Indian Ocean.
G. (U) MEXICO: On 18 March, Mexican military and police personnel searched a shipping container aboard the
container ship MONTE VERDE in the port of Veracruz, finding 16 tons of cocaine paste.
H. (U) MALAYSIA: On 15 March, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency found a ship carrying 100,000 liters of
smuggled diesel fuel about 75 nautical miles from Mukah.

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I. (U) PANAMA: On 3 March, the U.S. Coast Guard seized more than 12,800 pounds of cocaine and apprehended
four suspected drug smugglers from a self-propelled semisubmersible off the coast of Panama.

3. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for March and April 2016. To apply for JMSDF
escort, visit http://www.mlit.go.jp/en/maritime/maritime_fr2_000000.html, please contact directly the Anti-Piracy
Contact and Coordination Office, Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MILT),
Japan: Tel: +81-3-5253-8932; Fax: +81-3-5253-1643. Email: INFO-PIRACY@mlit.go.jp. (MSCHOA)
B. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Korean Navy convoy schedule for March and April 2016. All merchant vessels wishing
to join the convoy group must submit their application forms directly to the ROK naval warship carrying out the
mission. The ROK MTG can be reached directly at INMARSAT: 00-870-773-110-438; Email:
pheonixguardian@navy.mil.kr. (MSCHOA)
C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for March and April 2016. For further information,
please e-mail planavy@navy.mil.cn, or call Tel: 00870 773 120 044; or 441 221 061. (MSCHOA)
D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for March and April 2016. To register, email
dgcommcentre-dgs@nic.in; or visit www.dgshipping.com. Telephone numbers for contact are: 91-2222614646 or fax at 91-22-22613636. (MSCHOA)
E. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Russian Navy convoy escort schedule for March and April 2016. For further
information e-mail smb@msecurity.ru; isps@msecurity.ru; or fax +7 (499) 642-83-29. (MSCHOA)

4. (U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region

(U) This section lists reports of active violence against shipping, credible threats to shipping, or the potential for a
situation to develop into a direct threat to shipping over the last 30 days. Every effort is made to ensure that
incidents are not double-counted. In the event double-counting is detected, or an incident is later learned to be
different than initially reported, an explanation of the cancellation of the inaccurate report will be made in at least
one message prior to dropping the erroneous report.
A.

(U) NORTH AMERICA: No current incidents to report.

B.

(U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:

Figure 1. Central America - Caribbean - South America

Piracy and Maritime Crime
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1. (U) MEXICO: On 18 March, Mexican military and police personnel searched a shipping container aboard the
container ship MONTE VERDE in the port of Veracruz, finding numerous drums carrying approximately 16 tons of
cocaine paste. The ship had arrived from Panama. (www.fleetmon.com)
2. (U) PANAMA: On 3 March, the US Coast Guard seized more than 12,800 pounds of cocaine and apprehended
four suspected drug smugglers from a self-propelled semisubmersible off the coast of Panama. The submersible
was first detected by a US Customs and Border Protection aircraft, which notified the US Coast Guard Cutter
BERTHOLF, leading to the interception of the vessel about 300 miles southwest of Panama. The cocaine found on
the vessel has a street value of more than $203 million. After removing the drugs and other contraband, the US
Coast Guard scuttled the submersible. (www.gCaptain.com; www.marinelink.com)
3. (U) COLOMBIA: During the week of 14 March, Colombian Navy and police in a coordinated operation found 33
kilograms of cocaine onboard bulk carrier BLUE SEA in Barranquilla. The cocaine was hidden in the rudder trunk,
and a report was received from informant concerning the contraband. Vessel originally loaded a cargo of coal,
destined for France. (www.fleetmon.com)
4. (U) ST LUCIA: On 2 March, three robbers, armed with a pistol, a machete, and a club, boarded an anchored
sailing yacht in the harbor at Soufriere, confronting eight passengers. The robbers demanded money at gunpoint.
They were given wallets and a camera. One womans purse was cut off her shoulder with the machete. Her
husband was struck on the head with the blunt side of the machete. Local police are investigating.
(www.noonsite.com)
5. (U) ARUBA: On 5 March, general cargo vessel OCEANIC I was intercepted by Dutch Coast Guard forces in the
Caribbean soon after vessel left Aruba. The operation, coordinated from Curacao, was launched several days
earlier, and involved substantial resources. The vessel was chased by Dutch Coast Guard patrol ship JAGUAR and
warning shots had to be fired as the ship initially refused to stop. Cocaine, packed in more than 40 bags and
weighing 1200 kilograms, was found. Vessel was taken to Aruba and 7 crew were arrested. (www.fleetmon.com)
6. (U) SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES: On 4 March, several gunmen boarded a yacht anchored at
Wallilabou in southwestern St. Vincent. During the course of the boarding, a German citizen aboard the yacht was
killed and another person was injured. Authorities are investigating the incident. (www.noonsite.com)
7. (U) MEXICO: On 4 March, authorities in the port of Manzanillo found a half-ton of cocaine in a shipping container
aboard MV COYHAIQUE. (www.fleetmon.com)
8. (U) ARUBA: On 3 March, the Royal Netherlands Navy ship ZR. MS. THE SEVEN PROVINCES interdicted two
Venezuelan fishing boats smuggling cocaine in an area off the coast of Venezuela. A total of 600 kilograms of
cocaine was found aboard the two vessels, which were then transferred to the custody of the Venezuelan Coast
Guard. (www.curacaochronicle.com)
C.

(U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.

D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE - BALTIC: No current incidents to report.

E.

(U) MEDITERRANEAN - BLACK SEA:

1. (U) GREECE: On 28 February, authorities in the port of Souda searched the Togo-flagged cargo ship TRADER
and found weapons and ammunition in six shipping containers. The ship had recently arrived from Mersin, Turkey.
(www.fleetmon.com)

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F. (U) WEST AFRICA:

Figure 2. West Africa Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) NIGERIA: On 26 March, pirates attacked the chemical tanker SAMPATIKI near position 04:20 N - 005:10
E, approximately 30 nm from the Bayelsa coastline. The pirates ransacked the ship and kidnapped five
crewmembers. (www.fleetmon.com)
2. (U) NIGERIA: Chemical tanker MAXIMUS was hijacked 11 February off Abidjan, Ivory Coast. There were 18
crew members from India, Pakistan, China, South Korea, Sudan and Ghana when the ship was boarded. The
pirates intended to sell the ships 4,700 tons of diesel fuel on the black market and had renamed the ship MT ELVIS
5. On 21 February, the Nigerian Navy boarded the ship and rescued the crew, however; two crew members are still
missing, one Pakistani and one Indian. (www.newsmaritime.com) UPDATE: The kidnapped crewmen were
reportedly released on 20 March. (IMB)
3. (U) NIGERIA: On 11 March, eight pirates in a boat approached an underway tanker near position 02:52 N 004:52 E, 108 nm southwest of the Bayelsa coast. Ships Master raised the alarm, increased speed, commenced
evasive maneuvers, activated SSAS, sent distress messages and informed the shipping company. All nonessential crew members mustered in the citadel. The pirates chased the tanker and told the Master to slow down
claiming to be the navy. At a distance of 50 meters, the lookout identified guns and ladders in the boat. The Master
continued with the evasive maneuvers, fired two parachute rockets and continued with the Mayday calls via VHF.
Due to the hardening measures of the tanker, the pirates aborted the attempted attack and moved away. The
Nigerian Navy responded on VHF to the distress call. (IMB; MTISC-GOG)
4. (U) NIGERIA: On 11 March, a vessel reported being fired upon near position 03:30 N - 005:02 E. (MTISC-GOG)
5. (U) DR CONGO: On 9 March, a cargo ship at anchor was boarded near position 05:57 S - 013:03 E, Boma Port.
Robbers were spotted by duty crewman, alarm raised and crew was mustered. Robbers managed to escape
without stealing anything. (MTISC-GOG)
6. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 March, ten armed pirates in a black speed boat approached and opened fire on tanker
MADONNA I near position 04:05 N - 006:41 E, 32 nm southwest of Bonny Island. They boarded the tanker using a
grappling hook and ladder. Alarm raised and non-essential crew members retreated to the citadel. After an hour,
the pirates left the tanker with four kidnapped crewmen. The remaining crew members sailed the tanker to a safe
port. (IMB; MTISC-GOG; www.lss-sapu.com)
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7. (U) NIGERIA: On 26 February, an underway offshore tug noticed a speed boat being launched from a mother
vessel near position 03:51 N - 004:39 E, 74 nm southwest of the Bayelsa coast. Five armed pirates boarded the
tug. Ships alarm and SSAS were activated. All crew members retreated into the citadel. The pirates damaged the
securing doors and entered the accommodation area. They ransacked the tug and stole crew personal belongings.
Before leaving the vessel they destroyed all navigation and communication equipment. The crew emerged from the
citadel after 10 hours and managed to sail the vessel to a safe port. (IMB)
8. (U) NIGERIA: On 23 February, BOURBON LIBERTY 251, a service vessel from French oil services company
Bourbon, was attacked off the coast of Nigeria and two crew members from Nigeria and Russia were reportedly
abducted. (www.af.reuters.com; www.news.odin.tc; www.bourbonoffshore.com)
G.

(U) ARABIAN GULF: No current incidents to report.

H.

(U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA:

Figure 3. Indian Ocean - East Africa Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) ARABIAN SEA: On 20 March, the French Navy destroyer FS PROVENCE seized a large weapons cache
from a dhow in the northern Indian Ocean. The incident took place as the ship operated as part of the
Combined Maritime Forces Combined Task Force 150 which conducts maritime security and counter-terrorism
operations. The dhow was spotted heading towards Somalia by PROVENCE's surveillance helicopter while it was
undertaking routine surveillance in the northern Indian Ocean. Subsequently, PROVENCE boarded the dhow and
ascertained that it was without nationality. PROVENCE then undertook a search of the vessel, during which the
weapons were found. The haul included 2,000-AK47 assault rifles, 49-PKM machine guns, along with mortars and
anti-tank weapons. As the illicit weapons were deemed to be destined for Somalia, they were seized under the
United Nations Security Council mandated arms embargo in accordance with UNSCR 2244 (2015).
(www.meretmarine.com/fr; www.dt.bh)
2. (U) KENYA: On 3 March, a robber armed with a knife boarded a berthed product tanker near position 04:04 S 039:40 E, Mbaraki Wharf North, Mombasa. Duty crewman on routine rounds noticed the robber, who threatened
him and escaped with ships stores. The duty crewman informed the duty officer. Alarm raised and crew was
mustered. Mombasa port control informed. (IMB)

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I.

(U) EAST ASIA - SOUTHEAST ASIA - INDIAN SUBCONTINENT:

Figure 4. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian Subcontinent

Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 27 March, a joint military task force intercepted motor launch FATIMA RADZ-AUNA and
its crew of nine in the waters off Arena Blanco, near Zamboanga. The security forces boarded and searched the
vessel, finding 15,000 pounds of smuggled sugar. The crew of the motor launch could not present import
documents on the shipment of sugar, which came from Sandakan in Sabah. (www.philstar.com)
2. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 26 March, the tug BRAHMA 12 and barge ANAND 12 were attacked and the crew of 10
Indonesian sailors was kidnapped. The crew was transporting coal from Indonesia to the Philippines when they
were hijacked. Subsequent reporting indicates that they were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Group, a Philippinesbased Islamist group notorious for bombings and kidnappings which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State
group. A large ransom has been demanded for the safe return of the sailors. The tug has been found, while the
barge is still missing. (The Daily Tribune News - Philippines; www.fleetmon.com)
3. (U) MALAYSIA: On 23 March, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency authorities found two ships carrying
approximately 330,000 liters of smuggled diesel fuel near Bintulu. The two vessels involved, the MAJU KERTOU
and SRI PAKNAKHON were also confiscated and both crews detained in the operation. (www.theborneopost.com)
4. (U) MALAYSIA: On 15 March, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency authorities broke a diesel fuel smuggling
operation about 75 nautical miles from Mukah. They stopped a vessel carrying 100,000 liters of diesel fuel and
found that the crew did not have the proper permits for the cargo. It is believed that the vessel crew bought diesel
from other vessels and resold it to third parties at sea. This was based on the findings of a transaction book record,
receipts of purchase and other documents found on the vessel. (www.theborneopost.com)
5. (U) INDONESIA: On 22 March, five robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position 06:07 S - 106:52 E,
Tg. Priok, Jakarta. Duty crewman on routine rounds was attacked and hit on the head. One robber stood guard
near the crewman, while the remaining robbers entered the accommodation area. The crewman managed to call
the bridge on a handheld radio. Alarm was raised and crew was mustered. Hearing the alarm and seeing the
alerted crew, the robbers escaped with items stolen from the engine room. (IMB)

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6. (U) VIETNAM: On 18 March, the Vietnam Coast Guard caught three vessels from Thailand illegally transferring
fuel to three Vietnamese fishing boats in the southern waters off Khoai Island. One of the Thai boats was carrying
approximately 500,000 liters of diesel with four Thai crewmen and five Cambodians aboard. The two vessels, which
were carrying a total of 190,000 liters of diesel, had five Thai people and 11 Cambodian people on board. There
were no documents for the fuel, according to the Coast Guard Command in the area. All of the boats were escorted
to An Thoi Port in Phu Quoc Island for further investigation. (www.thanhniennews.com)
7. (U) VIETNAM: On 7 March, a Vietnamese fishing boat, KH 96640 TS, operating in the Paracel Island area, was
reportedly rammed and sunk by a much larger ship; painted gray with Chinese characters on the prow. Five
crewmembers were able to escape into a very small work boat and were rescued on the evening of 9 March.
(www.tuoitrenews.vn)
8. (U) MYANMAR: On 29 February, five men holding swords allegedly boarded a ship anchored near Ahlon
Township, threatened three sailors and stole five long pieces of timber and three handsets. A short time later, local
police arrested three people for robberies from ships and motorboats in the same area of the Yangon River.
(www.elevenmyanmar.com)
9. (U) VIETNAM: On 6 March, a Vietnamese fishing boat was boarded, reportedly by a Chinese crewed boat, in the
Paracel Islands. The robbers boarded the boat, stole food and fuel before destroying fishing nets and departing the
area. No injuries were reported. (www.thanhniennews.com)
10. (U) BANGLADESH: On 4 March, pirates abducted 25 fishermen along with three fishing boats in an area
approximately 100 kilometers south of Patharghata under Barguna. Reportedly, the pirates demanded a large
ransom for each fisherman. (www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com)
11 (U) PHILIPPINES: On 3 March, authorities at the Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagoloan inspected a
shipping container and found a false wall in that container. Further inspection revealed that the container was
carrying a large consignment of smuggled goods, to include a Harley Davidson motorcycle, along with gun parts,
several washing machines, night vision goggles, flat-screen TV sets, tools and other items. Reportedly, the
container had been shipped from the US and abandoned upon arrival. (www. newsinfo.inquirer.net)
J.

(U) NORTHEAST ASIA:

Figure 5. Northeast Asia

Piracy and Maritime Crime

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1. (U) HONG KONG: On 23 March, Hong Kong Customs authorities inspected a container arriving from Vietnam,
manifested as scrap metal, and instead found 14,000 pounds of giant clams, an endangered species, and 50,000
pounds of dried sea shells. (www.7thspace.com)
K.

(U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN: No current incidents to report.

5. (U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources

(U) This appendix provides contact information for the author of the WTS as well as other entities that can be
contacted with maritime crime reports. It also lists other resources where the WTS is posted and where piracy and
maritime crime incident information can be found.
(U) Contact
(U) Originator of this WTS report requests consumer feedback. Originator will incorporate all anti-shipping events
and violence against the maritime industry into this weekly message where appropriate. To aid in our reporting,
please add the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) to your normal corporate and organizational reporting
requirements. The 24-hour watch can be reached at +1 (301) 669-4053.
(U) Other Resources
(U) This Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report is posted at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agencys Maritime
Safety site: http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) also publishes a live
piracy report based on reporting from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, listing all piracy
and armed robbery incidents in the last ten days: http://www.icc-ccs.org/. The PAWW and WTS Reports are posted
weekly on the ONI Intel Portal: http://www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence_Community/piracy.htm.

6. (U) Appendix B: Terminology and References

(U) This appendix is provided to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference in reporting and also
identifies those references that were used to gather the information contained in this report. ONI welcomes
comment and suggestions for addition or amendment.
(U) Terminology
(U) In order to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference, the following have been adopted to describe
the range of criminal anti-shipping activity and impediments to safe navigation in our worldwide reporting and
analysis. Please note that these terms relate to observable activity and are independent of target vessel status and
exclude actions by governmental powers in lawful pursuit of their authorities:

(U) Attempted Boarding Close approach or hull-to-hull contact with report that boarding paraphernalia were
employed or visible in the approaching boat.

(U) Blocking Hampering safe navigation, docking, or undocking of a vessel as a means of protest.

(U) Boarding Unauthorized boarding of a vessel by persons not part of its complement without successfully
taking control of the vessel.

(U) Firing Upon Weapons discharged at or toward a vessel.

(U) Hijacking Unauthorized seizure and retention of a vessel by persons not part of its complement.

(U) Kidnapping Unauthorized forcible removal of persons belonging to the vessel from it.

(U) Robbery Theft from a vessel or from persons aboard the vessel.

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(U) Suspicious Approach All other unexplained close proximity of an unknown vessel.

(U) Sourcing
(U) ONI derives information in this report from direct reporting and analysis of reports from the following agencies
and commercial sources.

Agence France Presse (AFP)

Associated Press (AP)
Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), Denmark
BBC News
EU Naval Forces (EU)
Fairplay (FP), London
Informa Group (INFO), formerly LLP, Llp Limited, London
International Maritime Bureau (IMB), London and Kuala Lumpur
International Maritime Organization (IMO), London
gCaptain
Latitude38.com (LAT) website
Lloyd's List (LL), daily, London
Local Media (LM)
LSS-SAPU.com (LSS)
Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S.
The Maritime Executive (website)
Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA)
Maritime Security Council (MSC), U.S.
Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre - Gulf of Guinea (MTISC-GoG)
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Navigation Safety System
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Brussels
Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) (analysis and comment)
Operator (owner or operator of affected vessel)
Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia,
Information Sharing Center (ReCAAP ISC)
Reuters
Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN)
Seafarers Assistance Program (SAP), Kenya
Tradewinds (TW)
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO)
United Press International (UPI)
U.S. Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) Bahrain
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

(U) ICOD: 30 March 2016

(U) The PAWW and WTS Reports are posted each week on the ONI Intel Portal and can be found at:
http://www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence-Community/Piracy

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