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OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report
23 August - 21 September 2016
22 September 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) PHILIPPINES: On 21 September, a 60-year old Chinese trader, was rescued after two days of captivity.
B. (U) GUINEA: On 21 September, armed robbers fired upon and boarded a container ship in Conakry Anchorage.
C. (U) BANGLADESH: On 20 September, 47 fishermen were abducted and 25 trawlers were looted by forest
robbers in the Sundarbans.
D. (U) MALAYSIA: On 18 September, Abu Sayyaf gunmen freed three Indonesian nationals taken from a
Malaysian fishing vessel near the east coast Lahad Datu district of Sabah more than a month ago.
E. (U) NIGERIA: On 18 September, a militant group used dynamite to attack an oil pipeline in Ughelli, Nigeria.
F. (U) NIGERIA: On 17 September, four individuals were kidnapped by militants in Isheri, Nigeria. The militants
demanded ransom for their return.
G. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 17 September, a Norwegian hostage was released after a year in captivity and handed
over to authorities.
H. (U) BANGLADESH: On 18 September, 15 fishermen from 15 different trawlers were kidnapped by pirate gangs
in a river near Bhola, Bangladesh.
I. (U) BRAZIL: On 18 September, authorities found 322 kilograms of cocaine within a shipping container in the port
of Santos.

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J. (U) NIGERIA: On 16 September, suspected sea robbers attempted to board a tanker off Bayelsa State,
Nigeria. Due to naval personnel engagement, the sea robbers were not able to board the ship.
K. (U) INDONESIA: On 16 September, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored merchant vessel
anchored near Galang, Batam.
L. (U) NIGERIA: on 14 September, a vessel was arrested at Shell Slot Jetty in Bonny for alleged involvement in
illegal bunkering activities.
M. (U) BANGLADESH: On 14 September, a duty crewman on a bulk carrier at anchorage in Chittagong, noticed a
store room broken into. The robbers were apprehended and disembarked onto the lightering barge. All stolen
property recovered. Agent informed.
N. (U) MALAYSIA: Between 12 and 14 September, customs officials conducted a series of inspections in the port
of Sepanggar, seizing 62 shipping containers holding a variety of smuggled goods.

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

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for September 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 September 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: bluegun21@navy.mil.kr.
(MSCHOA)
C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for September 2016. For further information, please e-mail
planavy@navy.mil.cn, or call Tel: 00870 773 120 807; or 441 221 894. (MSCHOA)
D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for September 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 September 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:

1. (U) UNITED STATES: On 30 August, a man from Brooklyn, New York City, New York, appeared in a New Jersey
court room, charged with accessing the computer database of a Bayonne, New Jersey, shipping company and
selling sensitive information to the company's competitors. The charges indicate that he had disclosed information
about incomes, balances, prices, email addresses, phone numbers and contact names in the company.
(www.nj.com)

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B. (U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:

Figure 1. Central America Caribbean

South America Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) BRAZIL: On 18 September, authorities found 322 kilograms of cocaine in a shipping container aboard CAP
SAN NICOLAS, in the port of Santos. The ships next stop was La Havre, France. (www.fleetmon.com)
2. (U) PERU: On 27 August, three robbers armed with guns boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position 12:01S
- 077:10W, Callao Anchorage. One crewman on routine rounds notified the bridge of the robbers presence before
being taken hostage at gunpoint. Alarm was raised, SSAS activated and the crew mustered on the bridge. Hearing
the alarm, the robbers escaped. Incident reported to the Callao port control and the coast guard sent a boarding
party to investigate. All crew safe. Nothing reported stolen. (IMB)
C. (U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.
D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE - BALTIC:
1. (U) GERMANY: In early September, German authorities in port of Hamburg found 10 kilograms of extremely
pure cocaine, packed in one kilogram bundles, hidden in a cargo of construction vehicles shipped from Brazil.
The ship was detained while a further search was conducted. (AP)
E.

(U) MEDITERRANEAN - BLACK SEA:

1. (U) ITALY: On 5 September, Italian authorities arrested two Ukrainian sailors accused of trying to smuggle 50
Pakistani men to Italy on a 12-meter sail boat. The suspects arrested, aged 21 and 25, were in charge of a Turkeyflagged boat, which police believe had set sail from Turkey. The boat was intercepted off the Apulia coast. In recent
years criminal gangs have been offering luxury journeys on seaworthy vessels manned by qualified sailors at a
cost of between $6,000 and $8,000 per passenger, about four times the average price of a normal crossing on
rickety, overcrowded boats. (Thomson Reuters Foundation; www.fleetmon.com)
2. (U) UKRAINE: On 4 September, a fight broke out among several crewmen aboard the cargo ship MEHMET
UNLU soon after the ship left the port of Nikolayev. Units from the Ukraine Coast Guard and members of a
Ukrainian Special Forces team boarded the ship and detained the crew. One crewman was reportedly killed during
the fight, with the ships captain injured. (www.fleetmon.com; www.news.odin.tc)

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F. (U) WEST AFRICA

Figure 2. West Africa Piracy and Maritime Crime

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Figure 3. West Africa Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) GUINEA: On 21 September, six robbers armed with guns fired upon and boarded the container ship
WINDHOEK, anchored near position 09:18N - 013:45W, Conakry Anchorage. Ships Master activated the SSAS
alert, raised the alarm and locked the accommodation area. The robbers however, gained access into the ship by
breaking the bridge wing windows. After taking the crew hostage, the robbers ransacked and looted every crew
cabin, stole crew personal belongings and ships cash, and escaped. The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre liaised with
the Guinea Navy who responded and boarded the ship. All crew reported safe. (IMB; NGA; www.fleetmon.com)
2. (U) NIGERIA: On 18 September at approximately 11:30pm, a militant group used dynamite to attack an oil
pipeline in Ughelli, Nigeria. Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM) has taken credit for the attack. No
injuries were reported. (AFP)
3. (U) NIGERIA: On 17 September, four individuals were kidnapped by militants in Isheri, Nigeria. The militants,
reportedly wearing military camouflage uniforms, stormed a neighborhood creek by boat and fired upon Lekki
Gardens Estate Road. They abducted three landlords and their aerobics instructor who were on a run at the time.
The militants demanded ransom for their return. (https://newtelegraphonline.com/)
4. (U) NIGERIA: On 16 September at approximately 2:50am, suspected sea robbers attempted to board tanker
HANZE KOCHI 50 nm off Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Due to naval personnel engagement, the sea robbers were not
able to board the ship. (All Africa Global Media)
5. (U) NIGERIA: On 14 September, marine vessel FB PERE IPAMO was arrested at Shell Slot Jetty in Bonny for
alleged involvement in illegal bunkering activities. The vessel was carrying about 500 metric tons of illegally refined
Automotive Gas Oil. (All Africa Global Media)
6. (U) NIGERIA: On 13 September, a militant group, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, blew up the
Afiesere-Iwhrenene oil pipeline, operated by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company/Shorelines Petroleum, in
the Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. (Vanguard Online)
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7. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 September, four marine police officers were missing and reportedly killed after gunmen
attacked them and stole their boat in southern Nigeria. The officers were on patrol in the Abonnema area
west of the Rivers State capital of Port Harcourt when they came under attack. Local media reports said the police
had been killed but a state police spokesman said it was "premature to conclude that the policemen were dead." It
was not immediately clear if the attack was carried out by rebels who have repeatedly hit oil and gas installations in
the oil-producing southern region this year, or, by roving criminal gangs in the area. (www.dailystar.com.lb)
8. (U) NIGERIA: On 30 August, the newly formed Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM) group said in a
statement that they attacked a Nigerian Petroleum Development Company oil pipeline, near Oteri, in the southern
oil-producing Delta State. (AFP World Service)
9. (U) GUINEA: On 24 August, seven robbers armed with guns and knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier near
position 09:24N - 013:43W, 5.5 nm south of Conakry. Two crewmen were taken hostage and beaten. The robbers
escaped with crews cash and properties. Incident reported to the local agent. (IMB)
G.

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

H.

(U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA:

1. (U) SOMALIA: On 7 September, persons on a foreign fishing ship, reportedly fishing illegally in Somali waters,
fired on a small group of Somali fishermen near Jawasa-hasani Island, in the lower Jubba region of southern
Somalia. Two fishermen were killed and nine others were seriously injured. (www.sonna.so/en)
2. (U) MOZAMBIQUE: On 6 September, several robbers boarded a berthed tanker near position 19:50S - 034:52E,
Jetty No 10, Beira Port. A duty crewman saw the robbers stealing ships properties and raised the alarm. Seeing
the alerted crew, the robbers escaped. (IMB)
I.

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

Figure 4. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian

Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime

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Figure 5. East Asia - Southeast Asia Indian Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime
Crime
1. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 21 September, Martina Lynn Yee, a 60-year old Chinese trader, was abducted in
Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. Yee was recovered by Philippine soldiers in Kajatian village. Soldiers also
seized a speedboat during the rescue mission. (Mindanao Examiner)
2. (U) BANGLADESH: On 20 September, 47 fishermen were abducted and 25 trawlers were looted by forest
robbers in the Sundarbans in Bangladesh. The robbers beat the fisherman and then demanded ransom. It is
notable that in the past 12 days, 102 fishermen were abducted from Sundarbans by gangs of forest robbers.
(www.businessnews24bd.com)
3. (U) MALAYSIA: On 9 July 2016, gunmen kidnapped three Indonesian members of a small boat off Malaysia's
eastern state of Sabah, the latest in a string of abductions in a region noted for kidnappings by Islamist militants
(Reuters; www.turkishweekly.net; www.theborneopost.com) UPDATE: On 18 September, Abu Sayyaf gunmen
freed three Indonesian nationals taken from a Malaysian fishing vessel near the east coast Lahad Datu district of
Sabah more than a month ago. (Jakarta Post)
4. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 21 September 2015, unidentified gunmen abducted a Norwegian resort manager, two
Canadians and a Filipino woman from a resort on Samal Island, near Davao City in the southern Philippines. At
least 11 armed men arrived at the resort in two speedboats. The gunmen appeared to have specifically targeted the
victims when they entered the Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort before midnight. (abcnews.go.com) UPDATE: On
17 September, a Norwegian citizen held hostage by a kidnapping-for-ransom gang in the strife-torn southern
Philippines was released after a year in captivity and handed over to authorities. Kjartan Sekkingstad was abducted
by Abu Sayyaf from a tourist resort along with a Filipina woman, who has already been freed; and two Canadian
men who were later beheaded by the Islamic militant group. (www.themalaymailonline.com)
5. (U) BANGLADESH: On 18 September, 15 fishermen from 15 different trawlers were kidnapped by pirate gangs
in a river near Bhola, Bangladesh. The kidnappers took three mobile phones, cash and also demanded a large
ransom for each of the abducted fisherman. (Dhaka Tribune)

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6. (U) INDONESIA: On 16 September, the chief engineer conducting routine rounds on a vessel anchored near
position 0043N - 104:10E, Galang, Batam, noticed the spares cabinet and lockers broken into and some items
missing. The incident was reported to the authorities who boarded and inspected the vessel. (IMB)
7. (U) INDONESIA: On 14 September, five robbers wearing masks and armed with long knives boarded a berthed
bulk carrier during cargo operations near position 01:44N - 101:23E, Dumai Anchorage. Two crewmen who
entered the engine store room were taken hostage, robbed and tied up by the robbers, who later escaped
with stolen spare parts. The crewmen untied themselves and raised the alarm. A search was carried out. Local
agents and port security informed. (IMB)
8. (U) BANGLADESH: On 14 September, a group of robbers reportedly kidnapped 20 fishermen and looted
valuables from their boats in the Dhanshiddhir Char in Mongla area of Bagerhat in the Sundarbans. Several
fishermen who escaped the kidnapping said 12 robbers of the 'Jahangir Bahini' gang attacked the fishermen. The
robbers then looted fish and nets from the boats and abducted 20 fishermen. Five of the fishermen were injured as
the robbers beat them as they tried to resist the kidnappers. (www.thedailystar.net)
9. (U) MALAYSIA: Between 12 and 14 September, customs officials conducted a series of inspections in the port
of Sepanggar, seizing 62 shipping containers containing a variety of smuggled goods. Authorities impounded
853,776 liters of alcoholic beverages, 11,000 tires, 11 million cigarettes and 500 bags of rice weighing 25,000kg.
(www.thesundaily.my)
10. (U) MALAYSIA: On 11 June 2015, the owners of the Malaysia-flagged tanker ORKIM HARMONY lost contact
with the vessel and reported the event to authorities, fearing the vessel had been hijacked. The ship remained
undetected until it was found on 18 June 2015 in Cambodian waters. (ReCAAP; www.abc.net.au;
www.thestar.com.my; www.straitstimes.com) UPDATE: On 12 September, a court in Vietnam ruled to extradite the
eight Indonesian ORKIM HARMONY pirate suspects to Malaysia. The eight washed ashore on a small Vietnamese
island after escaping from the hijacked ship but were soon arrested by Vietnamese authorities. The court accepted
Malaysia's proposal to extradite the men based on Vietnam's mutual legal support laws with Malaysia.
(www.thanhniennews.com; AFP)
11. (U) MALAYSIA: On 10 September, seven armed men, believed to be from the Philippines, kidnapped the
captain and two crewmen from a fishing boat in Sabah waters near the tourist resort of Pulau Pom Pom off
Semporna. The kidnappers took the three crewmen and fled in a green fast boat towards the southern Philippines.
(www.thestar.com.my)
12. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 9 September, Philippines Coast Guard authorities impounded a load of sea food when it
was discovered that the shipment contained prohibited items. Authorities were inspecting the passenger ferry
TRISHA KERSTIN 2, en route from Bongao, Tawi-tawi to Port of Zamboanga City, when a large amount of
prohibited shark meat was found among a two-ton shipment of other seafood. In all, 38 shark tails, 20 shark fins
and three whale shark tails were found, which were turned over to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
in Zamboanga City. (www.marinelink.com)
13. (U) BANGLADESH: On 9 September, nine robbers boarded the cargo ship BANDHU SARDAR then attacked
and robbed the crew. The ship, loaded with clinker was en route Meghnaghat from Payra sea port when the
robbers attacked the crew with long knives and got away with a large amount of cash and personal property. (The
Seafarer Times; www.thedailystar.net)
14. (U) INDONESIA: On 8 September, four robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored tanker near position
01:41N - 101:29E, Dumai Inner Anchorage. The robbers entered into the engine room. The duty second engineer
noticed the robbers and informed the duty officer on the bridge who raised the alarm and mustered the crew. On
hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped through the steering gear room with stolen ships spares. Port control
informed. (IMB)
15. (U) INDONESIA: On 6 September, four armed robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position 01:43N 191:26E, Dumai Inner Anchorage. The robbers entered the engine room via the funnel door and threatened the
duty oiler with knives and tied him up. The robbers then stole engine spares and escaped. After the robbers left, the
oiler managed to free himself and alert the duty officer who in turn raised the alarm. No injuries to crew members.
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Incident reported to port authorities. (IMB)
16. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 2 September, one robber boarded a berthed tanker near position 07:09N - 125:39E, New
Davao Oil Mill Terminal. Duty crewman saw the robber onboard and raised the alarm. Seeing the crews alertness,
the robber escaped with stolen ships properties. (IMB)
J.

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

K.

(U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN:

1. (U) PAPUA NEW GUINEA: On 10 September, eight robbers boarded a boat and stole personal property in the
vicinity of Madang. Several of the passengers jumped overboard and swam ashore to Pig Island where they alerted
police. Local authorities were able to locate and arrest 3 suspects. (www.thenational.com.pg)
2. (U) PAPUA NEW GUINEA: On 28 August, seven armed men boarded a small boat on the way to pick up a local
priest and nun at Milne Bay. The robbers forced the boat operator into the water and stole the boat. The operator
swam ashore and contacted local police. (www.thenational.com.pg)
3. (U) AUSTRALIA: On 28 August, customs officials searching a cruise ship docked in Sydney Harbor found 210
pounds of cocaine, packed in suit cases, in one passenger cabin. Three passengers, all from Canada, were
subsequently arrested. (gCaptain)

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:

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(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.

(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)
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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: 21 September 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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