Week of 10 March: Maritime Crime and Piracy Update

Weekly Maritime Crime and Piracy Summary (source: Office of Naval Intelligence)

NIGERIA:

• The Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) well no. 3 in Clough Creek, Bayelsa state was attacked with explosives by unknown assailants at around 02:00 LT on 16 March 2011.

INDIAN OCEAN:

• Cargo ship (SINAR KUDUS) was hijacked 16 Mar at 1639 UTC while underway in position 14:21N – 059:25E, approximately 357NM SE of Salalah, Oman. The vessel was en route Singapore to Suez when it was hijacked with a crew of 20 Indonesia nationals.  Crew reports indicate 30-50 pirates are onboard.  (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization, UKMTO)

• Vehicle carrier (SAGITTARIUS LEADER) was fired upon 12 Mar at 0325 UTC while underway in position 12:24N – 066:42E, approximately 460NM SW of Mumbai, India.  The vessel was fired upon by two skiffs accompanied by a mother ship.  (International Maritime Bureau, IMB)

• Container vessel (VANCOUVER BRIDGE) was fired upon 11 Mar at 0454 UTC while underway in position 10:55N – 066:33E, approximately 413NM NW of Minicoy Island.  As many as 15 pirates on three skiffs accompanied by a mother ship fired RPG and automatic weapons on the vessel, and attempted to board with ladders.  The vessel evaded the hijacking attempt.  (IMB)

INDIA:

• A bulk carrier was robbed 14 Mar at 0830 local time while at anchorage in position 22:49N – 070:02E, off Kandla.  Multiple robbers boarded the vessel using grappling hooks, and broke into the forward paint store and stole supplies.  The port authority was informed of the incident.  (IMB)

BANGLADESH:

• A bulk carrier was robbed 12 Mar at 0600 local time while at anchorage in position 22:12N – 091:45E, off Chittagong.  The vessel was boarded by four robbers, one of whom threatened a crew member with a knife to the throat.  The crew member broke free from the robber and captured him while the other three robbers escaped with ship’s stores. Port control was informed and the captured robber was taken to the local police station. (IMB)

INDONESIA:

• A general cargo ship was robbed 16 Mar at 0405 local time while at anchorage in position 03:56N – 098:46E, Belawan anchorage.  Multiple robbers were noticed on board, the master raised the alarm, and the robbers escaped with ship’s stores. (IMB)

INDIAN OCEAN PIRACY THREAT LEVEL FORECAST:

Weather conditions are conducive to small boat operations throughout the piracy operating area, particularly the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden.  Mariners are advised the Arabian Sea, Somali Basin, Gulf of Aden, and Mozambique Channel are high risk areas for piracy.  When transiting the region, mariners are encouraged to contact UKMTO and all appropriate authorities

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up