UNCLASSIFIED

OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report
9 August - 7 September 2016
8 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) INDONESIA: On 6 September, four armed robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier in Dumai Inner
Anchorage.
B. (U) MOZAMBIQUE: On 6 September, several robbers boarded a berthed tanker in Beira Port.
C. (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.
D. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 September, four marine police officers were missing and reportedly killed after gunmen
attacked them and stole their boat.
E. (U) UKRAINE: On 4 August, a fight broke out among several crewmen aboard the cargo ship MEHMET UNLU.
F. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 2 September, one robber boarded a berthed tanker in New Davao Oil Mill Terminal.
G. (U) PAPUA NEW GUINEA: On 28 August, seven armed men boarded a small boat in Milne Bay.
H. (U) INDONESIA: On 19 August, four armed robbers attempted to board an underway tug and barge
approximately 5 nm northwest of Pulau Batam.

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

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)
B. (U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:
1. (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)
2. (U) GRENADA: On 17 August, robbers boarded a sailing yacht anchored in the Port Louis Marina. They stole a
bag containing personal effects and a large amount of cash. (www.noonsite.com)
3. (U) COSTA RICA: On 19 August, a dinghy and small outboard motor were stolen from a sailing vessel anchored
in Golfito Bay. (www.noonsite.com)
C. (U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.
D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE - BALTIC: No current incidents to report.

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED
E.

(U) MEDITERRANEAN - BLACK SEA:

Figure 1. Mediterranean - Black Sea

Piracy and Maritime Crime
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 Turkishflagged 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)
3. (U) LIBYA: On 17 August, Mdecins Sans Frontires (MSF) reported that Luxemburg-flagged tug supply vessel
BOURBON ARGOS was taking part in migrant rescue operations 24 nm north of Libyan coast when they were
"approached and attacked by a group of armed men onboard an unidentified speedboat. Subsequently, a Libyan
Navy spokesman claimed that Libyan forces had approached the BOURBON ARGOS after its crew refused to
identify themselves. The navy spokesman denied that Libyan forces had fired directly at the MSF boat or boarded
the vessel. (AFP; www.theguardian.com)

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED
F.

(U) WEST AFRICA

Figure 2. West Africa Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (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)
2. (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)
3. (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)
4. (U) NIGERIA: On 19 August, two fishermen were kidnapped from the Ibeno area of Akwa Ibom State. A large
ransom was reportedly made for their release. (www.thenationonlineng.net)
5. (U) NIGERIA: On 18 August, six fishermen were kidnapped from the Ibeno area of Akwa Ibom State. A large
ransom was reportedly made for their release. (www.thenationonlineng.net)
6. (U) NIGERIA: On 17 August, nine pirates armed with guns in a wooden speedboat boarded the underway
general cargo ship VECTIS OSPREY near position 03:54N - 007:09E, 28 nm south of Bonny. Alarm raised, SSAS
activated and all crew retreated to the citadel. The Nigerian Navy subsequently boarded the vessel for an
investigation. All crew are safe. (www.thenationonlineng.net; www.fleetmon.com; NGA)

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED
7. (U) NIGERIA: On 13 August, two robbers in a boat boarded a berthed product tanker near position 06:26N 003:22E, Apapa, Lagos. Duty crewman on routine rounds noticed the robbers and informed the bridge officer who
raised the alarm and sounded the fog horn. Hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped in their boat. Crew mustered
and a thorough search of the ship was carried out. The ullage caps of No 1 port and starboard cargo oil tanks were
found open. Nothing reported stolen. (IMB)
8. (U) NIGERIA: On 10 August, a militant group blew up a crude oil trunk link near Warri. The group, Niger Delta
Greenland Justice Mandate, released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. (www.allafrica.com)
G.

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

H.

(U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA:

Figure 3. Indian Ocean - East Africa Piracy and

Maritime Crime
1. (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)

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED
I.

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

Figure 4. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian

Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (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.
Incident reported to port authorities. (IMB)
2. (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)
3. (U) INDONESIA: On 19 August, four armed robbers attempted to board an underway tug and barge near
position 01:11N - 103:52E, approximately 5 nm northwest of Pulau Batam. Alarm raised and crew mustered.
Seeing the crews alertness, the robbers aborted the attempt and moved away. (IMB)
4. (U) BANGLADESH: On 25 August, suspected pirates abducted a fisherman in the Meghna River at Manpura
Upazila in Bhola district. Initially, the pirates opened fire at the fishermen who tried to resist them. Frightened, five
fishermen jumped into the Meghna River. The gang then looted fishing nets and fish along with the trawler and
abducted the fisherman. (www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com)
5. (U) BANGLADESH: On 25 August, a gang of pirates kidnapped four fishermen for not paying a toll in the
Meghna River adjacent to Char Abdullahpur in Ramgati upazila of Lakshmipur. When the fishermen refused to pay,
the bandits attacked them, injuring several of the fishermen. They then picked up four fishermen and fled the
scene. The kidnappers demanded a huge amount of money as ransom from the family members of the four
fishermen. (www.en.prothom-alo.com)
6. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 25 August, gunmen attacked the passenger boat MB PRINCESS AJ near Claveria town
on the island province of Masbate. The gunmen reportedly fired at the engine of the passenger boat, and instead
hit three passengers, severely injuring one of them. (Philippines News Agency)
UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

7. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 24 August, customs officials in northern Mindanao impounded 5 shipping containers
holding trucks shipped from Japan and Korea. (www.mb.com.ph)
8. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 17 August, soldiers searching for Abu Sayyaf bandits and Indonesian kidnap victims found
one more of the captives who escaped in Luuk town, Sulu. A Western Mindanao Command spokesperson said the
kidnap victim identified himself as Ismail, chief officer of the tugboat CHARLES. (www.globalnation.inquirer.net)
9. (U) INDONESIA: On 17 August, an Indonesian Government official revealed that two Indonesians, who were
held hostage in South Philippines, had been released. The release of the two Indonesians abducted by an armed
militant group in the Philippines is reportedly a gift for the country as it coincides with the 71st anniversary of
Indonesia's independence. The crewmen are two of the seven crew members of tugboat CHARLES. The boat was
hijacked by an armed group in the Sulu waters of the Philippines on 23 June. (www.antaranews.com/en)
10. (U) INDONESIA: On 11 August, an Indonesian tugboat crewman escaped from his Islamist militant captors in
the Philippines by swimming out to sea after the militants threatened to cut his head off. Members of the Islamic
State-linked Abu Sayyaf group captured the Indonesian, Mohammad Safyan, 28, and six other Indonesian seamen
from their boat, the tugboat CHARLES, as it was passing through waters off southern Philippine islands on 23
June. (www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com)
J.

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

K.

(U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN:

Figure 5. Pacific Ocean- Southern Ocean

Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (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)
2. (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)
UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

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.

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED
(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)
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: 7 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

UNCLASSIFIED