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OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report
26 April - 25 May 2016
26 May 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 and the shipping industry worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily
to inform merchant mariners and naval forces.

2. (U) Summary
A. (U) VENEZUELA: On 24 May, Venezuelan Coast Guard officers arrested the tanker HYPERION at Bachaquero,
believed to be involved in oil smuggling.
B. (U) INDONESIA: On 21 May, six robbers in a skiff approached and came alongside an anchored tug in Batam
Anchorage.
C. (U) INDONESIA: On 20 May, Indonesian Navy authorities arrested a small cargo vessel near Nongsa, Batam on
suspicion of smuggling.
D. (U) INDONESIA: On 18 May, a robber boarded an anchored bulk carrier unnoticed in Samarinda Anchorage.
E. (U) PANAMA: On 12 May, three robbers boarded a sailing yacht anchored one mile up from the mouth of Rio
Chagres.
F. (U) ST LUCIA: On 7 May, robbers boarded a sailing yacht anchored in Marigot Bay.
G. (U) MALAYSIA: On 16 April, five robbers boarded an anchored pipe-laying barge 10 nm east of Pulau Lima,
Johor.

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

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for May and June 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)
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B. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Korean Navy convoy schedule for May and June 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: 1-203-346-7633. Email:
pheonixguardian@navy.mil.kr. (MSCHOA)
C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for May and June 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 May and June 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 May and June 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) VENEZUELA: On 24 May, Venezuelan Coast Guard officers arrested the tanker HYPERION at Bachaquero.
The ship was alleged to have been carrying 30 more tons of oil than listed on the manifest. (www.fleetmon.com)
2. (U) PANAMA: On 12 May, three robbers boarded a sailing yacht anchored one mile up from the mouth of Rio
Chagres. They managed to kick a door open to gain access and then ransacked the boat, stealing personal
valuables and cash. (www.noonsite.com)
3. (U) ST LUCIA: On 7 May, robbers boarded a sailing yacht anchored in Marigot Bay. The robbers stole cash from
a suitcase and escaped. (www.noonsite.com)
4. (U) VENEZUELA: On 12 May, four robbers armed with steel pipes boarded an anchored LPG tanker near
position 10:11 N - 064:47 W, Puerto Jose Anchorage. Duty crewman on routine rounds noticed the robber and
raised the alarm. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped. A search was carried out by the crew. Ship's stores
were reported stolen. Incident reported to VTS. (IMB)
5. (U) BAHAMAS: During the first few days of May, at least three outboard motors were stolen from three different
sailing yachts moored in Georgetown. (www.noonsite.com)
6. (U) MEXICO: On 4 May, Mexican law enforcement authorities searched several shipping containers aboard CMA
CGM OHIO, berthed at Manzanillo Port. Authorities found 73 kilograms of cocaine in one container, shipped from
Buenaventura, Colombia en route Acajutla, El Salvador. (www.fleetmon.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: No current incidents to report.
F. (U) WEST AFRICA:
1. (U) TOGO: On 11 May, seven robbers in a wooden boat approached an anchored product tanker, with one
robber getting aboard the tanker near position 06:05 N - 001:15 E, Lome Anchorage. Alert crew noticed the robbers
and informed the duty officer who in turn raised the alarm and mustered the crew. Upon hearing the alarm and
seeing the crews alertness, the robber escaped empty-handed with his accomplices. Togo Navy informed. (IMB)
2. (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) UPDATE: On 9 May, the five hostages were reportedly released.
(www.business-standard.com)
3. (U) LIBERIA: On 2 May, the tanker TAMAYA I washed ashore near Robertsport Beach in western Liberia. The
ship was abandoned, one of its lifeboats was missing and a large fire had swept through the ship. Its last positional
report was 22 April, near Dakar, Senegal. Authorities are conducting an investigation. (www.gnnliberia.com;
www.dailymail.com)
4. (U) NIGERIA: On 7 May, pirates armed with automatic weapons in a speed boat fired upon and attempted to
board an underway tanker near position 03:42 N - 005:10 E, 58 nm southwest of the Bayelsa Coast. Master raised
the alarm, made evasive maneuvers and all non-essential crew was mustered in the citadel. A ladder was sighted
on the boat. The armed guard onboard returned fire resulting in the pirates aborting the attack. All crew reported
safe. (IMB; MTISC-GOG)
5. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 May, armed pirates in a speed boat chased and fired upon a tanker underway near position
03:53 N - 005:36 E, 34 nm southwest of the Bayelsa coast. Ships Master made loudspeaker announcement and
all crew was mustered on the bridge. Attack was aborted due to presence of navy personnel onboard and antipiracy measures used by the ship. (IMB)

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6. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 May, pirates in two speed boats chased and fired upon an underway tanker near position
03:50 N - 005:24 E, 43 nm southwest of the Bayelsa coast. Armed security team onboard returned fire resulting in
the pirates aborting the attack. All crew safe. Nigerian authorities notified. (IMB)
7. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 May, gunmen suspected to be sea pirates shot and killed two traders and injured a child and
the driver of a commercial boat. The boat was conveying passengers from Bonny Local Government Area (LGA) in
Rivers state to Kaa in Khana LGA when they were attacked. (Punch Online)
8. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 May, militants attacked the Okan offshore oil facility, located in the Escravos Bay in the Niger
Delta region. A group known as the Niger Delta Avengers has claimed responsibility for the attack. The facility has
been temporarily shut down as damage is being assessed. (www.punchng.com; www.maritime-executive.com)
9. (U) NIGERIA: On 4 May, armed pirates fired upon and attempted to board an underway tanker near position
03:54 N - 005:17 E, 44 nm southwest of the Bayelsa coast. The armed guard onboard the tanker returned fire
resulting in the pirates aborting the attack. All crew reported safe. (IMB)
10. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 May, an underway tanker reported being attacked by robbers near position 03:54 N 005:32 E, approximately 36 nm southwest of the Bayelsa coastline. The robbers chased the ship, then reportedly
fired upon the vessel. An embarked contingent of Nigerian Navy personnel and anti-piracy measures taken by the
ship prevented a boarding. (MTISC-GOG)
11. (U) NIGERIA: On 4 May, a speedboat approached an underway vessel near position 03:54 N - 005:17 E,
approximately 60 nm southwest of Brass. Armed guards aboard the ship fired warning shots and the speedboat
turned away. (MTISC-GOG)
12. (U) NIGERIA: On 3 May, a soldier was injured while four gunmen were killed in an unsuccessful ambush by
pirates in Peregbene, along the Ogbia-Nembe waterways, Bayelsa State. Security operatives attached to the Joint
Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, reportedly overpowered the gang of sea robbers during a shootout, killing four
members of the gang in the process. A Nigerian Army soldier was injured in the gun battle that lasted over an hour,
according to military sources. (www.allafrica.com)
13. (U) DROC: On 3 May, robbers boarded an anchored vessel near position 05:51 S - 013:26 E, Matadi
Anchorage. The robbers were seen by crewmen, who raised the alarm. The robbers escaped with stolen ships
stores. (MTISC-GOG)
14. (U) NIGERIA: On 28 April, pirates attacked a tanker near position 03:56 N - 004:43 E, approximately 67 nm
southwest of Bayelsa. The robbers fired on the ship and attempted to board, but embarked armed guards aboard
the ship returned fire and the robbers retreated. (MTISC-GOG)
15. (U) NIGERIA: On 28 April, a speedboat made a suspicious pass against an anchored tanker near position
04:19 N - 004:26 E, vicinity of Bonga Oil Platform. Armed guards on the vessel fired warning shots and the
speedboat moved away. (MTISC-GOG)
16. (U) NIGERIA: On 28 April, the Nigerian Navy arrested tanker MARINA and its crew as they were alleged to be
carrying 100 metric tons of illegally refined diesel fuel. The arrest occurred on the Sombreiro River, in Rivers state.
(www.thisdaylive.com)
G.

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

H. (U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA:

1. (U) YEMEN: On 16 May, five skiffs made a suspicious approach on an underway container ship near position
14:45 N - 050:58 E, near Al Mukalla. Ships Master raised the alarm, increased speed and mustered the crew. As
the skiffs closed to 0.5 nm, a ladder was noticed in one approaching skiff. Armed security team onboard the vessel
fired warning shots. Master contacted the authorities and a nearby Japanese warship dispatched its helicopter,
which resulted in the skiffs aborting and moving away. (IMB)

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2. (U) EGYPT: On 5 May, general cargo vessel HIPPO was searched by Egyptian Navy personnel in the Gulf of
Suez. Narcotics were reported to have been found during the course of the search. The vessel and crew were
detained and taken to Ain Sukhna for a more detailed inspection. (www.fleetmon.com)
3. (U) KENYA: On 2 May, one robber boarded a berthed product tanker near position 04:04 S - 039:41 E,
Mombasa Port. Alert crewman noticed the robber and raised the alarm. Crew mustered and rushed to the location.
Upon hearing the alarm and seeing the crews alertness, the robber escaped with stolen ships stores. Incident
reported to Harbor Master. A police boat came and searched the area. (IMB)
I.

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

Figure 2. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian Subcontinent

Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) INDONESIA: On 21 May, six robbers in a skiff approached and came alongside an anchored tug near
position 01:10 N - 103:58 E, Batam Anchorage. Four robbers wearing ski masks managed to board the vessel.
Duty watchman noticed the robbers and informed the duty officer on the bridge who raised the alarm and mustered
the crew. Upon hearing the alarm and seeing the crew alertness, the robbers escaped. Nothing reported stolen.
(IMB)
2. (U) INDONESIA: On 20 May, an Indonesian Navy patrol boat on a routine patrol inspected a small cargo vessel
near Nongsa, Batam. 8 tons of smuggled onions, garlic, and other produce, along with a freezer, were found during
the search. (www.cnews.id)
3. (U) INDONESIA: On 18 May, a robber boarded an anchored bulk carrier unnoticed near position 00:14 S 117:34 E, Samarinda Anchorage. The robber was able to steal ships properties and escape unseen. The incident
was noticed later by the crew during routine rounds. (IMB)
4. (U) MALAYSIA: On 16 April, five robbers boarded an anchored pipe-laying barge near position 01:23 N - 104:28
E, 10 nm east of Pulau Lima, Johor. The robbers tried to communicate with the duty crewman in their local dialect.
One of the persons was armed with a metal rod. The duty crewman did not respond and the persons walked
towards the stern. The duty crewman retreated and informed the duty officer who in turn raised the alarm, made PA
announcement and mustered the crew. A search was carried out throughout the vessel. No unauthorized persons
located and nothing reported stolen. (IMB)
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5. (U) BANGLADESH: On 15 May, seven robbers in a small boat came alongside and attempted to board an
anchored container ship near position 22:06 N - 091:45 E, Chittagong C Anchorage. Alert crew noticed the
robbers and informed the duty officer who in turn raised the alarm, sounded ships whistle and mustered the crew.
Upon hearing the alarm and seeing the crews alertness, the robbers aborted the attempted boarding and escaped.
(IMB)
6. (U) MALAYSIA: On 11 May, Malaysian authorities detained a ship believed to be smuggling almost 7,000 liters of
stolen diesel fuel near Semerak Canal. Fourteen crewmembers were arrested and are being held while the
investigation continues. A search of the vessel also turned up a large amount of fresh squid being smuggled to
another country for sale at a large profit. (www.bernama.com.my)
7. (U) MALAYSIA: On 15 April, armed persons in a speed boat fired upon and boarded the tug boat HENRY near
Pondo Sibugal, Sitangkai town. One crewman was injured by gunfire. The armed persons then kidnapped four crew
members and escaped. The Malaysian Marine Police escorted the tug to a safe port and transferred the injured
crewman to a hospital for medical treatment. (IMB; www.gcaptain.com; www.sunstar.com.ph) UPDATE: On 11
May, the hostages were released, when they were dropped off in front of the governor of Sulu Provinces house.
They were then taken to a local hospital for a medical examination. (www.rappler.com)
8. (U) VIETNAM: On 9 May, robbers boarded an anchored container ship near position 10:11 N - 107:04 E, Mui
Vung Tau Anchorage. Robbers were spotted by crewmembers and alarm was raised. Robbers escaped with stolen
ships stores. Port control informed. (IMB)
9. (U) INDONESIA: On 8 May, robbers boarded an underway chemical tanker near position 03:20 N - 109:36 E, 48
nm northeast of Pulau Subi Besar. Third Engineer saw the robbers and raised the alarm and switched all deck
lights on. Crew was mustered and a search of the ship was made. Nothing reported stolen. (IMB)
10. (U) INDIA: On 8 May, three persons in a fishing boat approached an anchored LPG tanker near position 17:37
N - 083:22 E, Visakhapatnam Anchorage. They boarded the tanker using a heaving line attached to a hook. Duty
Officer noticed the persons and ordered them to leave. The persons tried to explain that their intention was to stay
on ships stern and fish but disembarked shortly after they were told to leave. Master suspected intention to steal
ships stores. (IMB)
11. (U) INDONESIA: On 7 May, merchant tanker HAI SOON 12, underway from Singapore to Sunda Straits was
boarded by armed pirates near position 02:04.48 S - 108:39.27 E, around 21 nm south of Pulau Serutu. They took
hostage all crew members and hijacked the tanker. As the ships owners failed to receive the updates from the
ships master, they reported the incident to the IMB Piracy Reporting Center who then reported the event and
liaised with the Indonesian Authorities. The IMB PRC sent a broadcast to all ships to look out for the hijacked
tanker. The Indonesian Navy dispatched their patrol boats, located and intercepted the tanker and rescued the
crew. Nine pirates detained. All crew reported safe. (IMB; ReCAAP; www.vesselfinder.com)
12. (U) INDONESIA: On 4 May, robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position 00:15 S
- 117:40 E, Samarinda Anchorage. Alarm was raised and crew was mustered. The robbers escaped with stolen
ships properties. (IMB)
13. (U) INDONESIA: On 4 May, robbers boarded a bulk carrier underway near position 01:20 S - 116:52 E,
Balikpapan. The robbers stole ship properties and escaped unnoticed. The theft was noticed by the duty crew on
routine rounds. (IMB)
14. (U) MALAYSIA: On 3 May, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted two fishing boats
conducting illegal fuel transfer operations, arresting 13 persons from Thailand. The MMEA seized 13,400 liters of
diesel fuel and a large amount of cash in the operation, which took place approximately 150 nautical miles off the
coast, near the Guntung oil platform. (www.bernama.com.my)
15. (U) VIETNAM: On 3 May, a Vietnam-flagged fishing ship was rammed and subsequently sunk while operating
in the Paracel Island group. The incident occurred late at night, though the crew of the fishing ship believed that the
ship that rammed them was from China. The ramming ship left the area after the incident, leaving the crew of the
fishing ship to fend for themselves. They were rescued soon after by a nearby Vietnamese fishing ship. (Vietnam
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News Agency Online)
J.

(U) NORTHEAST ASIA: No current incidents to report.

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: 25 May 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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