Worldwide Threat to Shipping Update, week of 20 January 2011

Summary of worldwide maritime crime developments and incidents, courtesy of the Office of Naval Intelligence Maritime OPINTEL Report, 27 January 2011.

A.  GUINEA:

• A container ship was robbed 23 Jan at the Conakry Outer Anchorage, Guinea.

B. NIGERIA:

• Offshore supply vessel was attacked 20 Jan around the Bonny Fairway buoy.
• Three fishing trawlers were attacked 20 Jan near the Bonny Fairway buoy.

C. INDIAN OCEAN:

• General cargo ship (ANDINET) was fired upon 26 Jan approximately 493NM SE of Socotra Island, Yemen.
• Multi-purpose ship (BELUGA NOMINATION) was hijacked 22 Jan approximately 360NM north of Seychelles Island.
• Heavy load carrier (ZHEN HUA 26) was fired upon 21 Jan approximately 840NM east of Caluula, Somalia.
• Chemical tanker (BUNGA LAUREL) was boarded 20 Jan approximately 250NM SE of Ras al Hadd, Oman.
• Bulk carrier (KHALED MUHIEDDINE K) was hijacked 20 Jan at approximately 336NM NE of Socotra Island, Yemen.
• Bulk carrier (ARIANA) was fired upon 20 Jan approximately 308NM NE of Socotra Island, Yemen.

D. GULF OF ADEN:

• Product tanker (JBU OSLO) was fired upon 20 Jan approximately 83NM south of Al Mukallah, Yemen.

E. SOUTH CHINA SEA:

• Product tanker was chased 24 Jan while underway in position 10:42N – 109:44E.

FURTHER DETAIL ON THESE INCIDENTS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FORUM

A. Summary

Weather conditions are expected to worsen, creating conditions less conducive to small boat activity, particularly in the Somali Basin.  Weather is expected to remain calmer and more conducive to small boat activity in the Arabian

Sea and Gulf of Aden.  Mariners are advised that the Arabian Sea, Mozambique Channel, and the area around Comoros is currently high risk.  When transiting the region, mariners are encouraged to contact UKMTO and all appropriate authorities.