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OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report
4 October - 2 November 2016
3 November 2016

(U) Table of Contents

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

(U) Scope Note

(U) Warnings and Advisories
(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

1. (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) Warnings and Advisories

1. (U) 2ND UPDATE TO ADVISORY NOTICE 007/OCT/2016: The incident reported on 25 Oct 16 (Advisory
007/Oct/16) and subsequently updated remains the subject of ongoing investigation. Indications are an MV was
fired upon with small arms from occupants of 1 skiff whilst underway 5nm from the southern entrance to the
Bab el Mandeb TSS. There is a continuing naval presence in the Bab el Mandeb, an area known for small boat
activity. The motive for the incident or those involved are unknown at this time. The vessel and crew are safe.
Merchant Vessels are advised to remain at a heightened state of vigilance when transiting the SRS/Bab el
Mandeb. Further updates to follow. All attacks and suspicious sightings should be reported. Email ukmto@eim.ae,
Tel: +971 4 309 4268, Fax: +971(0)43094254.
2. (U) IMB PRC ADVISORY - 251100 UTC OCT 2016: General Advisory for ships transiting Celebes Sea / Sulu
Sea / Off Sibutu Island, Tawi Tawi, Philippines. In view of the latest and first kidnapping incident on 20 October
2016 involving a merchant ship off Sibutu Island, Philippines. Ships are advised to avoid this area and should
consider using the route west of Kalimantan/west side of Sabah/Sarawak instead. Past recent kidnapping incidents
involved tugs and fishing boats only. On 20.10.2016 at 1347 in position 04:32N - 119:33E, around 8.2 nm southeast
of Sibutu Island, Philippines, a ship was attacked and boarded by armed unknown persons. Two crew members
were then kidnapped. 24 hours Anti-Piracy Helpline +603 2031 0014 FAX: +603 2078 5769 Email: IMBKL@ICCCCS.ORG
3. (U) NGA Special Warning 134: Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden. Commercial vessels in the
region of the Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden should operate under a heightened state of alert
as increasing tensions in the region escalate the potential for direct or collateral damage to vessels transiting the
region. These threats may come from a variety of different sources such as missiles, projectiles or waterborne
improvised explosive devices. Huthi rebels claimed responsibility for a 1 October attack on a UAE vessel. Vessels
in the region should report hostile activities immediately and contact coalition naval forces via VHF bridge to bridge
radio. Email: catleader@me.navy.mil, phone: 973 1785 3879.
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3. (U) Summary
A. (U) SOUTH KOREA: On 1 November, South Koreas Coast Guard fired live rounds at Chinese trawlers fishing
illegally in Korean-controlled waters for the first time.
B. (U) NIGERIA: On 1 November, an identified militant group reportedly attacked two major crude oil delivery lines
supplying the Trans Forcados Export trunk line in Delta State.
C. (U) NIGERIA: On 25 October, a product tanker underway 15.7 nm south of Lagos was approached by two
suspicious speed boats.
D. (U) UNITED STATES: On 25 October, US officials seized 1,982 pounds of marijuana from an unmanned
suspicious boat in Long Beach, California.
E. (U) MALAYSIA: On 24 October, six armed pirates boarded a fishing trawler in the open sea near Jambongan
Island.
F. (U) ITALY: On 18 October, Italian authorities began monitoring the container ship RIO DE JANIERO for alleged
cocaine on board. Three hundred eighty five kilos of cocaine were thrown overboard in bags and found tied to
buoys.
G. (U) TURKEY: On 14 July, Ukrainian freighter TATARBUNAY was arrested in Istanbul, Turkey. The vessel was
carrying 100 tons of contraband cigarettes.

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

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for November 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 November 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 November and December 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 November and December 2016. To register,
email dgcommcentre-dgs@nic.in; or visit www.dgshipping.com. Telephone numbers for contact are:
91-22-22614646 or fax at 91-22-22613636. (MSCHOA)

5. (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.

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A.

(U) NORTH AMERICA:

Figure 1. North America Piracy and

Maritime Crime
1. (U) UNITED STATES: On 25 October, US officials seized 1,982 pounds of marijuana from an unmanned
suspicious boat on the South Shore Launch Ramp in Long Beach, California. After six hours, 4 men were arrested
when they attempted to retrieve the speed boat from the trailer. (www.presstelegram.com)
2. (U) MEXICO: On 15 October, one hundred thirty six kilos of cocaine were seized in Manzanillo port in a container
aboard KOTA LOKIS. The crew was not detained. The vessel left port the following day. (FleetMon)
B.

(U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:

1. (U) PERU: On 21 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored tanker near position
12:02S - 077:31W, Callao Anchorage. The robbers stole ships spare parts and escaped unnoticed. The theft was
discovered by the duty crew during routine rounds. Incident reported to local police through the agents. (IMB)
2. (U) PERU: On 14 October, four robbers approached a cargo ship anchored near position 12:01S - 077:11W,
Callao Anchorage. The crew was alerted and activated the pressurized fire hoses resulting in the robbers aborting
the attempted boarding. (IMB)
3. (U) ST. VINCENT and the GRENADINES: On 10 October, one yacht anchored at Chateaubelair was boarded by
armed men with machetes who injured the captain as he forced the attackers back to their boat. Although a
mayday call was made, no assistance came. A nearby yacht assisted the captain. (www.noonsite.com)
4. (U) PERU: On 6 October, robbers in a wooden skiff boarded a general cargo ship anchored near position
12:01S - 077:11W, Callao Anchorage. Property was stolen from the ship. The incident was reported to port control.
(IMB)
C. (U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.

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D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE - BALTIC: No current incidents to report.
E. (U) MEDITERRANEAN - BLACK SEA:

Figure 2. Mediterranean - Black Sea

Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) ITALY: On 18 October, Italian authorities began monitoring the container ship RIO DE JANIERO for alleged
cocaine on board. Three hundred eighty five kilos of cocaine were thrown overboard in bags and found tied to
buoys. Nine crewmembers were arrested when the ship pulled into Gioia Tauro, Italy on 20 October. (FleetMon)
2. (U) TURKEY: On 14 July, Ukrainian freighter TATARBUNAY was arrested in Istanbul, Turkey. The vessel was
carrying 100 tons of contraband cigarettes. The vessel was released by Turkish authorities on 23 October and was
anchored off Tulcea, Romania, on 28 October. (FleetMon)

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F. (U) WEST AFRICA

Figure 3. West Africa Piracy and Maritime

Crime

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Figure 4. West Africa Piracy and Maritime

Crime
1. (U) NIGERIA: On 1 November, an identified militant group reportedly attacked two major crude oil delivery lines
supplying the Trans Forcados Export trunk line in Burutu local government area of Delta state. (Punch Online)
2. (U) NIGERIA: On 25 October, a product tanker underway near position 06:15N - 003:21E, 15.7 nm south of
Lagos was approached by two suspicious speed boats. The vessel raised an alarm, and the crew mustered in the
safe area. A Nigerian Navy patrol boat responded to the call and chased the suspicious boats away. (IMB)
3. (U) NIGERIA: On 25 October, Nigerian militants, the Niger Delta Avengers, attacked a Chevron pipeline at the
Escravos offshore facility. (AFP)
4. (U) NIGERIA: Early during the week of 17 - 21 October, pirates attempted to board the tanker VAJARA in the
Ramos River area of Delta state. Fire was exchanged between Nigerian authorities and the pirates. The attempt to
board was unsuccessful. (The Guardian, FleetMon, Indian Express)
5. (U) NIGERIA: On 13 October, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM) militants claimed an attack on a
pipeline in Ughelli area of Delta state. (AFP World Service)
6. (U) CONGO: On 12 September, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored offshore supply ship near
position 04:45S - 011:50E, Pointe Noire Inner Anchorage. The robbers stole the rescue boat outboard motor. The
theft was discovered by the duty bosun during routine rounds and reported to the bridge. Alarm raised and a search
was carried out. It was reported that footprints were found around the rescue boat area and the forecastle deck.
(IMB)

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7. (U) NIGERIA: On 7 October, three sea robbers were arrested for robbing four women in a boat in the creeks
around Ataba. The robbers stole money and handsets from the victims. (Al Bawaba Business)
8. (U) NIGERIA: On 7 October, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) JUBILEEIN IKOT ABASI intercepted two wooden
Cotonou boats laden with 19,200 liters of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Four
people were arrested. (Al Bawaba Business)
G.

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

H. (U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA:

1. (U) YEMEN: On 25 October, a merchant tanker was approached by a small boat near Perim Island. The
occupants fired an RPG at the vessel, the damage is unknown at this time. All crew are safe and the vessel has
continued with her passage. (Hellenic Shipping News)
2. (U) SOMALIA: On 22 October, Somali pirates freed 26 Asian sailors held captive for 1,671 days in a small fishing
village for more than four years since their ship was hijacked in the Indian Ocean. The sailors from China, the
Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Taiwan were seized when the Oman-flagged fishing vessel
NAHAM 3 was hijacked close to the Seychelles in March 2012. (Reuters, gCaptain, The Telegraph)
3. (U) YEMEN: On 12 October, a U.S. Navy destroyer was targeted in a failed missile attack from territory
controlled by Huthi rebels, the second such incident in the past four days. USS Mason, which was
accompanied by USS PONCE - an amphibious transport dock - fired defensive salvos in response to the missiles,
neither of which hit the ships or caused any damage as they operated north of the Bab el Mandeb Strait. The
rebels appeared to use small skiffs as spotters to help direct the missile attack on the warship. (Reuters)
4. (U) YEMEN: On 9 October, USS MASON, a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer was targeted in a failed missile
attack from territory in Yemen controlled by Iran-aligned Huthi rebels, neither of the two missiles hit the ship.
There were no injuries to the sailors and no damage to the ship. (gCaptain)

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

Figure 5. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian

Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) MALAYSIA: On 24 October, six armed pirates boarded a fishing trawler in the open sea near Jambongan,
Malaysia. They took one ton of fish, 500 liters of fuel and GPS units from the crew. (The Star Online)
2. (U) MALAYSIA: On 25 October, pirates attacked the tug EVER OCEAN SILK towing the oil barge EVER GIANT
approximately 60 nm north of the port of Bintulu, Sarawak. The pirates robbed the crew of all valuables and fled.
Crew is safe. (Fleetmon)
3. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 20 October, 10 gunmen attacked Korean heavy lift ship DONGBANG GIANT NO 2 near
position 04:32N - 119:33E, 8 nm south of Bongao, Tawitawi Island. The vessel was en route from Australia to
Masan, Korea. Militants, allegedly belonging to Abu Sayyaf group, kidnapped the Master of the vessel, of Korean
nationality, and a Filipino crew member. Philippines anti-terror teams and Navy were alerted. (IMB, FleetMon)
4. (U) INDONESIA: On 20 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored tanker near position
01:425N - 101:27E, Dumai Tanker Anchorage. They stole engine spare parts and escaped unnoticed. The incident
was discovered during routine rounds and was reported to the port control. No response received. (IMB)
5. (U) INDONESIA: On 16 October, Indonesian police arrested the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel TOLL
EMPEROR near Tanjung Pinggir, Pulau Batam on suspicion of smuggling. Authorities reportedly found
the ship anchored and surrounded by smaller vessels unloading television sets, refrigerators and other
smuggled consumer goods. (www.fleetmon.com)
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6. (U) INDONESIA: On 12 October, four robbers armed with knives boarded a bulk carrier anchored near
position 01:42.5N - 101:29.3E, Dumai anchorage. One crewmember was taken hostage and threatened
with a knife. Property was stolen from the vessels engine room and the robbers escaped. The incident
was reported to port control. (IMB)
7. (U) VIETNAM: On 12 October, three robbers boarded a bulk carrier anchored near position 10:162N 107:03E, Vung Tau Anchorage. The crew confronted the robbers who then fled. The incident has been
reported and is currently being investigated by Vung Tau Port Control. (IMB)
8. (U) MALAYSIA: On 12 October, two fishermen on a boat off Tigabu Island were attacked by four armed
men, injuring one. (The Malay Mail Online)
9. (U) INDONESIA: On 7 October at approximately 4:45 am, a Customs and Excise Office patrol vessel was
attacked by a mob in Tanjung Jumpul waters off Asahan regency, North Sumatra. The four officials reported
injuries after the mob threw Molotov cocktails and firecrackers at the patrol vessel when they attempted to inspect a
boat suspected of smuggling. (The Jakarta Post)
10. (U) BANGLADESH: On 4 October, pirates kidnapped 32 fishermen from two fishing trawlers FV MA BABAR
DOA and FV NASIMA located on the Meghna River in Noakhali. The pirates also looted fishing nets and the catch
from both vessels. Later, 20 of the fishermen were freed, leaving 12 still in custody. (Prothom-Alo)
J. (U) NORTHEAST ASIA:

Figure 6. Northeast Asia Piracy and

Maritime Crime
1. (U) SOUTH KOREA: On 1 November, South Koreas Coast Guard fired live rounds at Chinese trawlers fishing
illegally in Korean-controlled waters for the first time. During the early evening hours, three coast guard patrol boats
fired M60 machine gun rounds at 30 Chinese fishing boats that were threateningly bearing down on them while
they towed away two trawlers that had been fishing about 90 km southwest of Socheong Island in Incheon. Three
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hours earlier the patrol boats had spotted some 50 Chinese trawlers fishing illegally about 5.5 km inside Korean
waters. During that time, several Chinese fishing boats rammed a South Korean Coast Guard boat. Two patrol
aircraft were then scrambled and fired a total of 18 flare bombs before the trawlers finally turned back and fled
toward Chinese waters. The skirmish came about a month after a Chinese trawler rammed and sank a coast guard
speedboat on 7 October, which prompted Seoul to authorize the use of live ammunition. (www.english.chosun.com)
2. (U) SOUTH KOREA: On 9 October, a 4.5-ton speed boat for the Coast Guard had carried several officers in an
operation to capture a Chinese vessel fishing illegally in the area, when another Chinese boat rammed the vessel
and fled the scene, causing the Coast Guard boat to capsize. The Coast Guard said the incident took place in
waters 76 km southwest of Socheong Island. There were no injuries or casualties from the incident. The vessel
has been placed on the wanted list by the Coast Guards of both nations. (Yonhap News Agency)
K. (U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN:
1. (U) FIJI: On 9 October, a small dinghy and outboard motor were stolen from a sailing yacht anchored in Saweni
Bay. (www.noonsite.com)

6. (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.

7. (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.

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(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.
Marine Domain Awareness for Trade Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-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)
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(U) ICOD: 2 November 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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