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OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report
31 May - 29 June 2016
29 June 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) BANGLADESH: On 28 June, a group of armed men from the Jahangir Bahini group kidnapped 15 fishermen
working in the Shibsha River area of the Sundarbans.
B. (U) INDONESIA: On 28 June, two unauthorized persons attempted to board an anchored tanker in Balikpapan
Anchorage.
C. (U) NIGERIA: On 26 June, seven hostages kidnapped on 22 June were released.
D. (U) COLOMBIA: On 25 June, robbers boarded an anchored product tanker and escaped with ships properties
unnoticed in Mamonal Tanker Anchorage.
E. (U) NIGERIA: On 24 June, six people were killed in villages on the outskirts of Lagos, police and the state
government said, blaming "suspected militants" from the Niger Delta.
F. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 22 June, armed men believed to associated with the Abu Sayyaf Group kidnapped seven
sailors from the tug CHARLES 001 while the tug was towing a barge in the southern Philippines.

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

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for June and July 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 June and July 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 June and July 2016. For further information, please email 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 June and July 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 June and July 2016. For further information email 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) USA: On 31 May, the general cargo ship LIZANNE was boarded and inspected by US Customs and Border
Protection officials after receiving a tip of possible involvement in drug smuggling activity. The vessel had recently
arrived in Miami from Miragoane, Haiti. During the course of the search, authorities found 900 kilograms of cocaine,
packed in bricks, hidden in several secret compartments. Crew was arrested and the investigation continues.
(www.fleetmon.com)
B.

(U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:

Figure 1. Central America - Caribbean South America Piracy and Maritime Crime
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1. (U) COLOMBIA: On 25 June, robbers boarded an anchored product tanker and escaped with ships properties
unnoticed, near position 10:18 N 075:32 W, Mamonal Tanker Anchorage. The theft was discovered by the deck
crew while performing routine work near the forepeak store room. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Investigations
indicated the robbers had gained access to the vessel via the hawse pipe. Incident reported to port control and
coast guard. (IMB)
2. (U) BAHAMAS: On 13 June, fishermen on a Dominican Republic registered fishing vessel fired upon Her
Majestys Bahamian Ship (HMBS) CASCARILLA while Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) marines were
attempting to board it in the Cay Lobos area. The crew of the vessel was engaged in illegal fishing at the time of the
incident. Following an exchange of gunfire, the fishing vessel attempted fled towards Cuban territorial waters. When
the fishing vessel entered Cuban waters, the HMBS CASCARILLA called off the chase. The Cuban Border Guard
was later informed that the suspected Dominican vessel had entered their waters. (www.tribune242.com)
3. (U) CUBA: On 27 May, robbers boarded a Canada-flagged sailing yacht anchored near Isla de la Juventud. The
robbers were able to steal miscellaneous deck gear and escape unnoticed. (www.noonsite.com)
4. (U) GUYANA: On 28 May, Guyana police arrested five people allegedly involved in a pirate attack that left one
man dead and three others missing at sea. They said the four crew members were aboard a boat in Surinamese
waters when the pirates attacked, taking away two 48 hp outboard motor engines, tied up the four crew members
and threw three crewmembers overboard. The area was searched but neither the vessel nor the other three crew
members have been located. The authorities said that the attack occurred in the Lower Shell Area, near Nickerie in
northern Suriname. (Jamaica Observer; www.ynetnews.com)
5. (U) SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES: On 25 May, a UK-flagged yacht was boarded by two masked
men, one with a gun, while anchored in Tobago Cays. The intruders demanded money and hit the Captain several
times on the head with the yachts heavy flash light; while his wife was held with an arm around her neck and a gun
pointed to her head. The intruders took cash from the Captains wallet along with several cell phones and escaped.
The Captain suffered several head and facial injuries, two fractured ribs and some bruising, and was attended by a
doctor in the anchorage immediately after the event. His wife was unhurt. The SVG Coast Guard, contacted by a
neighboring yacht, arrived quickly. Three suspects are currently charged with multiple offenses and are in police
custody in Kingstown. (www.noonsite.com)
6. (U) GUATEMALA: On 25 May, a sailing yacht was boarded at night in a marina area of Rio Dulce. The thieves
stole an outboard motor from a dinghy that was chained to the yacht. (www.noonsite.com)
7. (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)
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.

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F. (U) WEST AFRICA

Figure 2. West Africa Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) NIGERIA: On 24 June, Lagos State government and police officials accused suspected militants from the
Niger Delta for killing six people in villages on the outskirts of Lagos. The police subsequently launched an
aggressive manhunt for suspected militants after the attacks in the Igbo-Olomu and Ishawo areas of the eastern
suburb of Ikorodu. The alleged gunmen who were supposedly from the Niger Delta likely used the waterways to
travel to the communities were the shootings took place. (AFP)
2. (U) NIGERIA: On 22 June, kidnappers ambushed a convoy of local Nigerian and foreign workers employed by a
large cement company in Calabar. A local driver was killed and up to seven persons were kidnapped, including five
foreign workers. The kidnappers took the hostages to a waiting boat and fled into the river system. Press reports
indicate that two local Nigerians, three Australians, one New Zealander and one South African were kidnapped.
(www.stuff.co.nz) UPDATE: On 26 June, the hostages were reportedly released and were taken to a hospital for
medical examinations. (www.abc.net.au/news)
3. (U) ANGOLA: On 13 June, a robber boarded an anchored tanker near position 08:44 S - 013:17 E in the Luanda
Anchorage and transferred ship's stores into his boat. The crew spotted the robber, sounded the alarm, and
subsequently managed to detain the robber until port officials and the local police robber arrived on the scene.
(IMB)
4. (U) NIGERIA: On 8 June, suspected militants from the Niger Delta Avengers group conducted an attack against
oil well RMP 20, near the Dibbi flow station in the Warri area of Delta State. (AFP; The Guardian Online)

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5. (U) BENIN: On 6 June, an oil tanker underway near position 05:22 N - 002:24 E, approximately 60 nm south of
Cotonou, reported that a mother ship and a skiff chased them. The mothership, with an additional skiff on deck,
was reportedly 60 meters long with a grey hull. The tanker used extensive maneuvering, water cannon and foghorn
blasts; the skiff reportedly quit the chase after 20 minutes. (MTISC-GOG)
6. (U) NIGERIA: On 3 June, suspected militants from the Niger Delta Avengers group conducted an attack against
the Shell Petroleum Development Company's Forcados 48 inch Export line, used to move crude oil from Ogboinbiri
to Tebidaba and from Clough Creek to Tebidaba. The two pipelines are located in Bayelsa State. (The Guardian
Online)
7. (U) NIGERIA: On 3 June, suspected militants from the Niger Delta Avengers group conducted an attack against
the Brass to Tebidaba Crude Oil Pipeline in Bayelsa State. (www.sweetcrudereports.com)
8. (U) NIGERIA: On 2 June, suspected militants from the Niger Delta Avengers group conducted an attack against
the Ogboinbiri to Tebidaba and Clough Creek to Tebidaba Crude Oil Pipelines in Bayelsa State.
(www.sweetcrudereports.com)
9. (U) NIGERIA: On 1 June, suspected militants attacked a barracks boat belonging to the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation. Six persons, two soldiers and four civilian staff were killed in the incident; which took place
in the Efe-Ugbokodo area in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. (Reuters;
www.informationng.com)
10. (U) NIGERIA: On 28 May, Nigerian militants attacked an oil pipeline near Tebidaba-Brass. Damage to the
pipeline is still being assessed. (www.allAfrica.com)
11. (U) NIGERIA: On 28 May, Nigerian militants attacked an oil pipeline near Nembe. Damage to the pipeline is still
being assessed. (www.allAfrica.com)
G.

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

H.

(U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA:

1. (U) SEYCHELLES: On 20 June, two Korean crewmen were killed by Vietnamese crewmen, during a fight aboard
fishing vessel KWANG HYUN 803. The vessel is headed for Victoria, Seychelles for a further investigation.
(www.fleetmon.com; www.marinelink.com)
2. (U) MAURITIUS: On 17 June, a fight broke out amongst the crew of Liberia-flagged bulk carrier BENITA,
resulting in several injuries and the ship running hard aground on the southeastern coast of the country. Authorities
have boarded the ship for an investigation. (www.fleetmon.com)
3. (U) MAURITIUS: On 29 May, the Taiwan-flagged fishing ship HSIN CHUN No. 16 was boarded by Coast Guard
personnel and impounded after it left port and tried to flee the country after being ordered to be seized by a
court order. Authorities caught up with the vessel 20 miles from the coast and boarded the vessel and arrested the
Master. (www.fleetmon.com)
4. (U) AUSTRALIA: On 27 May, Australian authorities arrested 14 people and impounded a ship on suspicion of
drug smuggling. A search of the vessel, approximately 100 nm off the western coast of the country, led to the
discovery of 200 kilograms of methamphetamine. (www.channelnewsasia.com; Reuters)

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I.

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

Figure 3. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian

Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime

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Figure 4. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian

Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) BANGLADESH: On 28 June, a group of armed men from the Jahangir Bahini group kidnapped 15 fishermen
working in the Shibsha River area of the Sundarbans. The criminal group posted a large ransom demand for the
release of the fishermen. A local Coast Guard official stated that a search is ongoing.
(www.english.thereport24.com)
2. (U) INDONESIA: On 28 June, two unauthorized persons attempted to board an anchored tanker near position
01:28 S 116:48 E, Balikpapan Anchorage. Alert duty crew noticed the persons and informed the bridge officer.
Alarm raised and crew mustered. Upon hearing the alarm and seeing the crew alertness, the unauthorized persons
aborted the boarding. All crew safe. Port control informed. (IMB)
3. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 22 June, armed men believed to be associated with the Abu Sayyaf Group kidnapped
seven crewmembers from the tug CHARLES 001 while the tug was towing a barge in the southern Philippines. The
operation consisted of two different groups of armed men boarding the ship at different times. Six crewmen were
left on the ship while the others were taken hostage. (www.antaranews.com/en; The Jakarta Post)
4. (U) INDONESIA: On 21 June, three robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position
01:41 N 101:30 E, Dumai Inner Anchorage. Two robbers managed to enter the engine room via the open skylight.
They threatened the duty oiler with knives and ordered him not to raise the alarm. The robbers then stole engine
spares and escaped. After the robbers left, the oiler informed the duty officer who in turn raised the alarm and
mustered the crew. No injuries to crew members. Incident reported to local authorities. (IMB)

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5. (U) INDONESIA: On 18 June, three robbers boarded an anchored product tanker near position 01:41 N 101:29
E, Dumai Anchorage. Duty crewman on routine rounds noticed the robbers and informed the duty officer who
raised the alarm and mustered the crew. One of the robbers rushed towards the duty crewman and threatened him
with a knife and not to make any movements. Hearing the alarm and seeing the crew alertness, the robbers jumped
overboard and escaped with their accomplices in their boat. A search was made throughout the tanker. The
padlock to the steering gear room entrance was found broken, but nothing reported stolen. Attempts were made to
call port control, but received no response. (IMB)
6. (U) INDONESIA: On 16 June, four robbers armed with guns boarded an anchored Heavy Lift Carrier near
position 01:10 N - 103:57 E, 2.5 nm west of Batu Ampar, Batam Island. The robbers held a duty crewman hostage
at gun point, stole ships engine spares, and escaped. The master reported the theft to the authorities via the ships
agent. (IMB)
7. (U) VIETNAM: On 16 June, the Vietnam-flagged fishing boat QNg-95821 was reportedly attacked by a Chinese
vessel near position 16:11 N - 112:30 E, seven nautical miles from Bom Bay Island. The attacking ship reportedly
had a hull number of 31102. The Vietnamese fishing boat was damaged but able to return to port.
(www.tuoitrenews.vn)
8. (U) MALAYSIA: On 15 June, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized 14,000 liters of
subsidized diesel and arrested seven Vietnamese fishermen. An MMEA spokesman said that seven Vietnamese
fishermen who were using a cargo boat as cover were arrested 103 nautical miles from Kuala Terengganu. The
spokesman stated that an MMEA vessel on routine patrol detected an anchored cargo boat and conducted an
inspection, finding the subsidized fuel. (www.theborneopost.com)
9. (U) BANGLADESH: On 14 June, a security watchman noticed five robbers had boarded an anchored container
Ship near position 22:08 N - 091:44 E, Chittagong Anchorage. The Master was informed and raised the alarm and
sounded the ships whistle. Upon hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped with ships stores. (IMB)
10. (U) BANGLADESH: On 8 June, the gang of Indian robbers, Master Bahini, abducted five Bangladeshi
fishermen and looted their valuables near the Garal River in the Sundarbans. The Indian robbers took the
fishermen inside Indian territory and demanded a ransom which was carried to the families of the hostages by one
fisherman who escaped. (thedailystar.net)
11. (U) MALAYSIA: On 2 June, the tug EVER PROSPER, towing the barge EVER DIGNITY, was hijacked near
Mukah, Sarawak, East Malaysia. Reportedly, another tug and barge pulled alongside, hijacked the tug and
siphoned approximately 3,000 liters of the cargo, crude palm kernel oil, then departed. The crew of the EVER
PROSPER is safe, with one crewman receiving a minor injury after being punched in the face by a hijacker.
(ReCAAP)
12. (U) BANGLADESH: On 26 May, twelve robbers in several speedboats attacked a group of fishermen near
Jongra in the Morapashu River area in the Sundarbans East Zone. The robbers beat up the fishermen and looted
valuables, including nets and fish, from the trawlers. The robbers then kidnapped 25 fishermen with the trawler and
demanded a large ransom for their release. (www.theindependentbd.com)
J.

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

K.

(U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN:

1. (U) MICRONESIA: On 15 May, two fast boats made a suspicious approach against an underway vehicle carrier
near position 08:17 N 150:53 E, between Pisares Island and East Fayu Island. The boats initially called the
vessel and asked it to stop. Master raised the alarm and increased speed. The boats continued their approach and
again called the vessel and identified themselves to be Navy boats and indicated their intention to attack if the
vessel did not stop. The boats continued to threaten the vessel as they approached. As the boats closed to the
vessel, the Master observed each boat with a number of people. After around 20 minutes, the suspicious boats
stopped the pursuit and moved away. (IMB)

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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.

(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.
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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: 29 June 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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