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(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report

11 December 2017 - 10 January 2018

11 January 2018

(U) Table of Contents

1. (U) Scope Note

2. (U) Warnings and Advisories
3. (U) Summary
4. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories
5. (U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region
6. (U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources
7. (U) Appendix B: Terminology and References

1. (U) Scope Note

1. (U) The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides information on piracy threats to, and criminal
action against or that involves merchant vessels, the shipping industry, and other maritime stakeholders worldwide
in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily to inform merchant mariners and naval forces.

2. (U) Warnings and Advisories:

A. (U) UKMTO ADVISORY NOTICE 002/JAN/2018: Category: Suspicious Approach. Description: Between 0815Z and
0830Z on 9 January 2018, a merchant vessel in position 12:31N - 043:29E, 10 nm southeast of the Bab el Mandeb Strait,
was approached by 2 skiffs. Five persons on each skiff with faces obscured. Skiffs aborted approach at 3 cables
(apparently due to rough seas). Vessel is safe. Source: Reported to UKMTO via email and telephone. Any queries
regarding this Advisory Notice ring 0044 2392 222060 only for further information. Mariners are recommended exercise
extreme caution when transiting this area and comply with the self-protection measures within BMP4. UKMTO
Watchkeeper Email: watchkeepers@ukmto.org. Emergency Tel: +971 5055 23215, Tel: +442392222060, Fax:
+971(0)43094254. www.ukmto.org.

B. (U) MDAT-GOG ADVISORY NOTICE 001/JAN/2018: Category: Attempted Theft. Description: On 8 January 2018 at
2305 UTC, a tanker was boarded by 2 suspicious people in position 06:19N - 003:20E. Crew spotted the individuals and
they jumped overboard. The unknowns had a hose that was suspiciously placed to insert into a tank to steal some cargo.
Nothing was stolen. Vessel and crew are safe. Mariners are advised to exercise caution in this area. Source: Reported to
MDAT-GoG via email. Any queries regarding this Warning Notice ring 0033 298 22 88 88 for further information. MDAT-
GOG Watchkeeper email: watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org, emergency Tel: +33(0) 298 22 88 88.

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C. (U) UKMTO ADVISORY NOTICE 001/JAN/2018: Category: Sighting. Description: In a 12-hour period on 6 January,
UKMTO received information from three separate merchant vessels in an area centered on position: 14:46N - 041:58E, 56
nm west of Hodeidah, Yemen. Merchant vessels were approached up to 1 cable by up to three 7-10-meter rigid gray-
hulled boats, manned by up to 6 persons with weapons on each. None of the merchant vessels were attacked; however, all
ships are advised to maintain a high state of vigilance as they transit the area. Source: Reported to UKMTO via email and
telephone. Any queries regarding this Advisory Notice ring 0044 2392 222060 only for further information. UKMTO
Watchkeeper Email: watchkeepers@ukmto.org. Emergency Tel: +971 5055 23215, Tel: +442392222060, Fax:
+971(0)43094254. www.ukmto.org.

3. (U) Summary

A. (U) GREECE: On 10 January, Greek authorities seized a Tanzania-flagged ship heading for Libya and carrying materials
used to make explosives.

B. (U) RED SEA: On 9 January, a merchant vessel reported a suspicious approach in the Bab el Mandeb Strait.

C. (U) INDONESIA: On 8 January, a small boat made a suspicious approach on a bulk carrier anchored in Muara Berau
Anchorage, Samarinda.

D. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 7 January, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) seized a large consignment of smuggled rice in waters
off Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay.

E. (U) RED SEA: On 6 January, three different merchant ships reported being approached by three 7-10-meter rigid gray-
hulled boats in the southern Red Sea.

F. (U) INDONESIA: On 5 January, five robbers approached an anchored bulk carrier anchored in Muara Berau Anchorage,
Samarinda.

G. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 January, armed men kidnapped an accountant with the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring
Board.

H. (U) VENEZUELA: On 3 January, five robbers in a small boat boarded an anchored bulk carrier in Puerto Jose Anchorage.

I. (U) MALAYSIA: On 3 January, a speed boat made a suspicious approach on a cargo vessel 9 nm west-southwest of Port
Dickson.

J. (U) NIGERIA: On 2 January, two passenger speed boats were boarded by armed men in the Farupa creeks area of the
Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

K. (U) VENEZUELA: On 28 December, a monohull sailing yacht with 2 persons onboard was approached by a fishing boat
with 6 armed men.

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

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for January 2018. 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 January 2018. All merchant vessels wishing to join the convoy

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group must submit their application forms directly to the ROK naval warship carrying out the mission. The ROK MTG can
be reached directly at 001-646-466-9522. Email: chunghae25@navy.mil. (MSCHOA)

C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for January 2018. For further information, please e-mail
planavy@navy.mil.cn, or call Tel 86 10 652 92218; or 86 10 652 92296. (MSCHOA)

D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for January 2018. To register, email dgcommcentre-dgs@nic.in;
or visit ww.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 found 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) MEXICO: On 30 December, authorities in the port of Lazaro Cardenas found six cases attached to the hull
below the waterline of the container ship CAP PALLISER, containing 285 kilos of cocaine. (www.fleetmon.com)

2. (U) UNITED STATES: On 18 December, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that it had interdicted a Mexican
lancha boat crew suspected of illegally transporting narcotics while in federal waters. According to the Coast Guard,
the lancha, three people and 1,500 pounds of marijuana were interdicted in the vicinity of Packery Channel near
Port Aransas. (www.kristv.com)

B. (U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:

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Figure 1. Central America – Caribbean –

South America Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) VENEZUELA: On 3 January, five robbers in a small boat boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position 10:11N -
064:50W, Puerto Jose Anchorage. Duty crewman saw the robbers and reported to the duty officer, who raised the alarm.
Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped. Master contacted port control but did not receive a reply. (IMB)

2. (U) VENEZUELA: On 28 December, a monohull sailing yacht with 2 persons onboard departed Puerto La Cruz,
Venezuela for Grenada. During the mid-morning hours, 2 miles off the Paria Peninsula, and approximately 10 miles east of
Cabo Tres Puntas, an open fishing boat with 6 men approached, displaying and firing multiple long guns into the air. The
yacht crew immediately altered course and turned offshore. When the pirates came closer, the crew fired their flare gun
directly at the pirates, nearly hit them. The pirates, apparently understanding the fire hazard a burning flare would pose to
their gasoline fueled boat turned away, dropped back and made no further approaches. The yacht then headed northwest
and made safe port at Porlamar, Margarita, where a report was made to local officials. (www.noonsite.com)
3. (U) CARIBBEAN SEA: On 1 January, after several months of investigation by Dominican Republic, United States, and
Netherlands authorities, the product tanker KALUBA was intercepted, boarded, and taken to Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic for further inspection. Authorities discovered 1,570 kilograms of cocaine and detained the 12
crewmembers. Tanker was transiting from Aruba to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. (www.fleetmon.com)

4. (U) COLOMBIA: On 29 December, three robbers in a wooden boat boarded a general cargo vessel anchored

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near position 10:19N - 075:31W, Cartagena Inner Anchorage. Duty crewman noticed the robbers and raised the
alarm. Seeing the crew’s alertness, the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s properties. Incident reported to port
control. (IMB)

5. (U) BRAZIL: On 28 December, four robbers armed with a handgun boarded a small sailing yacht in the
approaches to the port of Santos late at night. The robbers methodically ransacked the boat, taking almost anything
they could carry and escaped. Report made to local authorities. (www.noonsite.com)

6. (U) COSTA RICA: On 25 December, Costa Rica Drug Control Police and the National Coast Guard Service
found numerous packages of cocaine weighing one ton attached to a GPS buoy in the waters of the Pacific 70
nautical miles from the Pacific coast. Authorities took the cocaine to the Golfito Port. (www.news.co.cr)

7. (U) GUATEMALA: On 22 December, a sack containing 20 packages of cocaine was found during an under-hull
search of the cargo ship BALSA 93 in the port of Puerto Quetzal. The sack was attached to the hull near the
rudder. (www.fleetmon.com)

8. (U) EL SALVADOR: On 12 December, naval forces seized nearly a ton of cocaine and arrested eight people
smuggling it on boats intercepted offshore in the Pacific Ocean. It was the second-biggest haul of cocaine made by
the Central American country. Those arrested were eight Guatemalans and one Salvadoran. The intercept took
place 335 nautical miles off the coast of El Salvador. (www.outlookindia.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:

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Figure 2. Mediterranean – Black Sea Piracy

and Maritime Crime

1. (U) GREECE: On 10 January, Greek authorities seized a Tanzania-flagged ship heading for Libya and carrying materials
used to make explosives, the coastguard said. The vessel was detected sailing near the Greek island of Crete when
intercepted. Authorities found 29 shipping containers carrying materials including ammonium nitrate, non-electric
detonators and 11 empty liquefied petroleum gas tanks. According to the ship’s bill of lading, the cargo had been loaded
in the Turkish ports of Mersin and Iskenderum and was destined for Djibouti and Oman. But the coastguard said a
preliminary investigation found the captain had been ordered by the vessel’s owner to sail to the Libyan city of Misrata to
unload and deliver the entire cargo. No shipping maps were found on the ship’s logbook for the Djibouti and Oman areas,
the coastguard said. The eight-member crew has been arrested. (www.hellenicshippingnews.com; Reuters)

2. (U) MEDITERRANEAN SEA: According to the Italian Coast Guard, between 25 and 26 December, more than
250 migrants were rescued in the central Mediterranean. The migrants traveling in one large rubber dinghy and two
small boats were rescued in three missions by two ships, one from a non-governmental organization.
(www.marinelink.com/news)

3. (U) SPAIN: On 18 December, authorities seized 332 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a shipment of sugar from
Brazil at the southwestern port of Algeciras, the country’s tax agency said. (www.laht.com)

4. (U) GREECE: On 6 December, the merchant tug ANDREAS was intercepted by Greek Coast Guard, south of
Ierapetra, Crete, on suspicion of drug trafficking. The tug was taken to Agia Galini port, southwest Crete, and
searched. Ten tons of hashish were found in tug’s cargo hold, hidden beneath drums. All 6 crew of Syrian
nationality were arrested. (www.fleetmon.com)

F. (U) WEST AFRICA

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Figure 3. West Africa Piracy and Maritime

Crime

1. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 January, armed men kidnapped an accountant with the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring
Board. He was reportedly taken by speed boats to an unknown destination along the Brass-Nembe waterways. The
kidnappers have contacted the family and demanded a large ransom to set him free. (www.vanguardngr.com)

2. (U) NIGERIA: On 2 January, two passenger boats were boarded by armed men in the Farupa creeks area of the
Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. Cash and personal property was stolen from the passengers.(www.sguardian.com)

3. (U) NIGERIA: On 24 December, duty crewmen onboard a product tanker anchored near position 06:17N -
003:13E, SSA Anchorage, Lagos, saw three robbers attempting to board the vessel and immediately notified the
officer on watch. Alarm was raised and crew was mustered. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped empty-
handed. The incident was reported to the Nigerian Navy and a patrol boat was dispatched to investigate. (IMB)

4. (U) NIGERIA: On 24 December, a merchant vessel reported being attacked and boarded near position 03:47N -
006:50E, 42 nm south-southwest of Bonny Island. (MDAT-GOG; IMB; www.pviltd.com)

5. (U) NIGERIA: On 21 December, the Nigerian Navy in Lagos rescued four Chinese nationals from kidnappers
around Igbokoda area of Ondo State. The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm.
Sylvanus Abbah, told journalists in Lagos that the four victims were abducted onboard a fishing trawler in
Lagos waters on 14 December. According to him, operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT rescued
the abducted Chinese nationals from a militant camp in the riverine area of Ondo State. (www.thestreetjournal.org)

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6. (U) NIGERIA: On 14 December, at 0830 UTC pirates boarded the Greece-flagged bulk carrier SKYLIGHT near
position 03:46N - 006:17E, 32 nm south of Brass. Ten crewmen were kidnapped. (IMB; www.fleetmon.com)

7. (U) NIGERIA: On 14 December, at 0128 UTC robbers made an unsuccessful attempt to board a merchant
vessel near position 03:58N - 006:12E, south of Brass. Vessel and crew are safe. (MDAT-GOG)

8. (U) NIGERIA: On 10 December, duty crewman onboard a tanker anchored near position 06:19N - 003:17E, 5 nm
south of Lagos, noticed three robbers on the main deck and raised the alarm. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers
escaped empty-handed. (IMB)

9. (U) NIGERIA: On 8 December, a merchant vessel reported being boarded near position 04:11N - 007:00E,
vicinity of Bonny River. Nigerian Navy vessel responded, but pirates had already departed. Ship and crew are safe.
(MDAT-GOG)

10. (U) NIGERIA: On 7 December, a merchant ship reported that 8 robbers attempted to board their ship near
position 03:31N - 007:07E, approximately 60 nm south of Bonny. The boarding attempt failed, and the ship and
crew are reportedly safe. (MDAT-GOG)

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

H. (U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA - RED SEA:

Figure 4. Indian Ocean – East Africa Red Sea

Piracy and Maritime Crime

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1. (U) RED SEA: On 9 January, a merchant vessel reported a suspicious approach near position 12:31N - 043:29E,
southeast of the Bab el Mandeb Strait. Five persons were reported in each boat. (UKMTO)

2. (U) RED SEA: On 6 January three different merchant ships reported being approached by three 7-10-meter rigid gray-
hulled boats, each carrying up to 6 armed persons in each boat, near position 14:46N - 04158E, west of Hodeida, Yemen.
(UKMTO)

3. (U) AUSTRALIA: On 22 December, authorities seized a record 1.2 tons of methamphetamines with a street
value of more than USD $771 million after a raid in a remote area of the west Australian coast. Eight Australian
men were charged with offences carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, police in Western Australia
state said in a statement. The drugs were collected from a ship called the VALKOISTA, police said, and were then
offloaded into a rented van at a dock in Geraldton, about 375 km north of the Western Australia capital, Perth.
Police intercepted the van as it reversed away from the dock. Police arrested the van’s three occupants, all from
the eastern Australian state of New South Wales. Three others were arrested on the ship and the remaining two
were charged in Perth. (www.gcaptain.com)

4. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 14 December, a merchant vessel reported a suspicious approach near position 13:56N
- 049:51E, 60 nm southeast of Mukalla. Three skiffs with 3 to 4 persons in each skiff made a close approach, then
turned away. (UKMTO)

5. (U) EGYPT: On 10 December, Interior Ministry authorities foiled an attempt by foreign smugglers to smuggle 200
kilograms of heroin into the country via Safaga Port in the Red Sea. (www.egypttoday.com)

6. (U) RED SEA: On 7 December, a vessel reported being attacked near position 14:32N - 042:47E, vicinity of
Hodeida, Yemen. (UKMTO)

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

Figure 5. East Asia – Southeast Asia – Indian

Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) INDONESIA: On 8 January, ship's crewman onboard a bulk carrier anchored near position 00:16S - 117:43E, Muara

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Berau Anchorage, Samarinda, noticed robbers attempting to board the vessel via the anchor chain and informed the duty
officer who sounded the fog horn. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers aborted the attempt and escaped in a small boat.
(IMB)

2. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 7 January, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) seized a large consignment of smuggled rice in waters
off Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay. The PCG said 60,000 smuggled sacks of rice were seized from MV J-PHIA, a Liberia-
flagged cargo ship, intercepted 25 nautical miles southwest of Olutanga. The PCG said its ships were deployed to the area
after receiving a tip that the Liberian ship was transporting a cargo transferred from another foreign vessel in the Sulu Sea.
It said that according to the seized ship's captain, their last port call was in Cagayan de Oro City, but he could not show
records of departure. (www.gmanetwork.com/news)

3. (U) INDONESIA: On 5 January, five robbers approached an anchored bulk carrier anchored near position 00:16S -
117:36E, Muara Berau Anchorage, Samarinda. The robbers attempted to board via the anchor chain. Alert duty crewman
noticed the robbers and shouted at them resulting in the robbers retreating and moving away. (IMB)

4. (U) MALAYSIA: On 3 January, a duty officer onboard a cargo vessel near position 02:27N - 101:39E, 9 nm west-
southwest of Port Dickson, noticed a speed boat with five masked persons holding a long hook approaching the vessel.
Alarm was raised and crew mustered with firehoses. Seeing the crew’s alertness, the speed boat moved away. (IMB)

5. (U) BANGLADESH: On 31 December, robbers boarded a barge under tow near position 21:49N - 091:34E,
vicinity of Kutubdia Island, and stole barge’s properties. All crew safe. (IMB)

6. (U) SINGAPORE STRAIT: On 28 December, four robbers boarded a bulk carrier awaiting a pilot boat near
position 01:16N - 104:02E, 3 nm south of Changi. They entered the engine room and threatened the duty engineer
with a knife. The engineer managed to escape and raise the alarm. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped
empty-handed. Incident reported to VTIS East Singapore. (IMB)

7. (U) INDONESIA: On 26 December, a drifting tug under the name KM AMERIKA was spotted by local fishermen
some 60 nm off Sungai Liat, Bangka island, Indonesia, South China sea. There were no people onboard, and no
signs of disaster or clues as to why and how crew had abandoned the vessel. (www.fleetmon.com;
www.bangka.tribunnews.com)

8. (U) INDONESIA: ON 25 December, duty crewman onboard a tanker anchored near position 07:46S - 109:04E,
Cilacap Anchorage, spotted four robbers near the poop deck. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the crew’s
alertness, the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s engine spares. (IMB)

9. (U) CAMBODIA: On 6 December, authorities in the southwestern port of Sihanoukville found 280 full and partial
elephant tusks hidden amongst a cargo of hollowed out logs inside an abandoned shipping container that had
arrived from Ivory Coast nearly a year ago. The ivory weighed nearly a ton, according to authorities involved in the
search of the container. (AFP World Service)

10. (U) BANGLADESH: On 16 December, robbers boarded a barge under tow near position 21:14N - 091:47E, 14
nm west of Nidania. The thieves stole barge properties and escaped. All crew safe. (IMB)

11. (U) VIETNAM: On 16 December, during cargo operations near position 20:53N - 107:16E, Hon Net Anchorage,
12 robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier via the mooring ropes of the cargo barge alongside. Duty crewman
noticed the robbers stealing paint drums and raised the alarm. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped with
stolen ship’s properties. (IMB)

12. (U) SINGAPORE STRAIT: On 13 December, four robbers armed with knives boarded a tanker underway near

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position 01:14N - 104:02E, Singapore Strait. As they entered the engine room they came across the duty oiler and
assaulted him. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the crew’s alertness, the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s engine
spare parts. (IMB)

13. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 9 December, robbers boarded an anchored container ship via the anchor chain, near
position 14:35N - 120:55E, Manila South Harbor Anchorage. The thieves cut through the forecastle store room
padlock, stole ship's properties and escaped. The incident was noticed and reported by the bosun. Local authorities
informed and the coast guard boarded the vessel to investigate. (IMB)

14. (U) INDIA: On 9 December, four suspected pirates were arrested after a boat chase in Sundarbans waters.
Police recovered seven firearms and 14 rounds of ammunition from them. Interrogation revealed the men were
from Satkhira in Bangladesh. (The Telegraph Online)

15. (U) INDONESIA: On 8 December, four robbers armed with knives and swords boarded an anchored tanker near
position 01:27N - 104:39E, 15 nm north-northeast of Pulau Bintan. The robbers tied up the second engineer in the
engine room workshop, stole engine spare parts and escaped. Ship searched. (IMB)

16. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 7 December, duty watchmen onboard a container ship anchored near position 14:35N -
120:51E, Manila Anchorage, noticed three robbers near the forecastle and immediately notified the officer on watch.
Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped with ship’s properties. Coast Guard
notified. (IMB)

17. (U) INDONESIA: On 7 December, four robbers, armed with knives, boarded an anchored offshore supply
vessel near position 00:43N - 104:10E, Galang Anchorage. Duty watchman spotted the robbers and informed the
duty officer. Alarm was raised and crew was mustered. Seeing the crew’s alertness, the robbers escaped empty-
handed. (IMB)

18. (U) INDONESIA: On 7 December, a crewman onboard an offshore support vessel anchored near position
00:44N - 104:08E, Galang Lay Up Anchorage, noticed several robbers armed with crow bars and raised the alarm.
Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s stores. Local authorities contacted. A security team
boarded the vessel for investigations. (IMB)

19. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 7 December, authorities recovered the remains of a Vietnamese ship captain kidnapped
from a bulk carrier by the Abu Sayyaf militants over a year ago. The captain, identified as Pham Minh Tuan, was
among six people kidnapped from the ROYAL 16 as it sailed in Philippine waters off Basilan Island on 11 November 2016.
Another crew member was shot during the incident. Authorities said they discovered Tuan’s
body in Jolo, the capital city of Sulu. Officials, however, believe that Tuan had been killed by his captors during a
standoff with the Philippine military in the city of Talipao in September. (www.gcaptain.com)

J. (U) NORTHEAST ASIA:

1. (U) CHINA: On 29 December, duty crewman onboard a bulk carrier anchored near position 38:46N - 118:30E,
Caofeidian Anchorage, noticed suspicious movements on the main deck. Upon checking, he noticed two
unauthorized persons standing near the emergency generator room. The crewman informed the duty officer who
immediately directed a large searchlight toward the area, and saw two persons pulling out a hose from the diesel oil
tank sounding pipe. Alarm was raised and crew was mustered. Hearing the alarm and seeing the crew’s alertness,
the individuals pulled out the hose from the sounding pipe and escaped in a small boat. On sounding the tanks, i t
was reported that diesel oil had been stolen. (IMB)

2. (U) CHINA: On 25 December, customs authorities seized 12,000 tons of smuggled fuel and arrested 17

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suspects. The seizure is a result of months of investigations in coastal provinces of Jiangsu, Fujian and Zhejiang
province. The smuggling occurred outside the mouth of Yangtze River and at sea, through ship-to-ship transfers
with foreign vessels. (Reuters; Xinhua)

3. (U) SOUTH KOREA: On 19 December, South Korea’s Coast Guard said it fired 249 warning shots over a group
of Chinese fishing boats “swarming around” one of its patrol ships in South Korean waters. South Korean Coast
Guard vessels regularly chase Chinese boats suspected of fishing illegally in South Korean waters, at times
sparking violent confrontations. A fleet of 44 Chinese fishing boats fortified with iron bars and steel mesh began to
rush the patrol boat which broadcast warnings to steer clear, the Coast Guard said. The coast guard vessel fired
shots over the boats until they retreated. “The Chinese fishing boats sought to swarm around and collide with
our patrol ship, ignoring the broadcast warnings,” the Coast Guard said in a statement. (wwwgcaptain.com)

K. (U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN: No current incidents to report.

1. (U) NEW ZEALAND: On 21 December, a French tourist was caught in Paihia with 24 kilograms of cocaine.
Customs officers found the drug on the French national, who was in the area as a passenger on a cruise ship.
(www.nzherald.co.nz)

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 Agency’s 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

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(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) Fired 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 activity in 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)
 BBC News
 EU Naval Forces (EU)
 International Maritime Bureau (IMB), London and Kuala Lumpur
 International Maritime Organization (IMO), London
 LSS-SAPU.com (LSS)
 Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S.
 Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA)
 Marine Domain Awareness for Trade - Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG)
 National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Navigation Safety System
 Noonsite.com (Noonsite), website
 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)
 The Maritime Executive (website)
 United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO)
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 United Press International (UPI)

 U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

(U) ICOD: 10 January 2018

(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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