Weekly Security & Risk Report
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Date: 02nd September 2021 Weekly Security & Risk Report Series 16/Issue 296 1 MAST Services MAST has the experience, capability and global presence to provide comprehensive support to our clients. “Making the world a safer place to live and work” Maritime Risk Consulting Counter piracy Due Diligence ISPS services Risk management Training Crisis management K&R and Ship Arrest Training Technical Yacht Security Physical and Asset Protection Close Protection System Design, Installation and Maintenance Residential Security Technical Consultancy Security Chauffeurs Cyber Risk Consultancy TSCM Sweeping Services Events and Clubs Training This report is copyright of Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST) © 2021. All rights reserved. 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MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com 2 02nd September 2021 Issue 296 Issue 296 of the series reviews, analyses and threat assesses the fragile and conflict affected coastal states Libya, Somalia and Yemen. The Mediterranean migrant crisis, incidents affecting maritime security and influencing maritime news are also report- ed and analysed, focusing on the keys theatres of maritime instability. Coronavirus Port and Terminal Restrictions The situation remains extremely fluid. For the most recent updates on closures and re-openings, MAST Security recommends using the Wilhemsen Covid-19 Global Port Restrictions Map. Please Click Here to visit their site. The Security and Risk Report Series focuses on: Contents: Page Mast Services 2 • Operational risks in areas of instability which could affect the safety of commercial and private vessels and personnel Gulf of Guinea 4 ashore and at sea. Indian Ocean 5 • In country reporting on key countries where civil conflict are directly impacting on maritime operations; and Somalia 6 • Reporting and analysis of incidents of terrorism, piracy and Yemen 7 other related criminal activity. South East Asia 8 MAST has a global reach and presence, delivering first hand, accurate and exclusive intelligence. MAST is entrenched European Waters 9 and committed in continuing to support Libya 10 and promote the awareness of the very real risks that seafarers and other stakeholders face. Central & South America 11 This Intelligence Report Series is a brief snapshot of Severe Weather Warnings 12 MAST’s Intelligence capabilities. MAST Intelligence specialises in providing clients with a suite of products and services, including; political and economic risk analysis, de- tailed port and vessel security briefs, vessel passage plans, threat and risk mitigation and travel risk management. Working closely in conjunction with a host of experts, MAST Intelligence offers a market leading service pertain- ing to all maritime affairs. Follow MAST on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep abreast with these insightful weekly reports and more — including real time security updates. Editor: David Rider www.mast-security.com MAST UK +44 (0)1279 216 726 24/7 Emergency Telephone [email protected] +44 (0) 1202 045 833 (Maritime) 3 Gulf of Guinea Ghana is working on a new maritime bill which, if passed, would see the maximum sentence for piracy in the country’s waters set at 15 years in prison. Media in Ghana says that the move is re- quired since piracy continues to pose a significant threat to the country and the current laws are inadequate in dealing with the issue. Incidents: Nothing significant to report. Williams took part in the recent Operation Guinex exercise, held in the Gulf of Guinea in conjunction with the Brazilian Ghana Navy to establish new base Navy. Guinex is the first exercise off of Africa’s Atlantic coast Madam Sarah Dugbakie Pobee, Ada East District Chief Execu- to have participation by both US and Brazilian naval vessels. tive, has said that discussions are underway about a perma- While at sea, Hershel “Woody” Williams conducted small boat nent naval base at Ada to provide defence against pirate at- and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) drills, as well as tacs and other maritime crime. She said that illegal operations manoeuvring exercises. The exercise will continue this week. on the high seas were on the increase, Ghana Web reported on Sept. 1st. She added that the arrest of maritme criminals Piracy War: NIMASA on Track remained a major challenge. Margreth Orakwusi, chair of the Nigerian Shipowners’ Forum, has stated that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safe- Helicopter Attack On Bonny Passenger Boat ty Agency (NIMASA) is track as far as the war against piracy is Marine Police sources have confirmed to Nigerian media out- concerned, This Day Live reported on August 27th. She told re- lets that a helicopter did attack a passenger/cargo vessel porters at a recent event that there has been cooperation be- transiting the Port Harcourt-Bonny sea route on Thursday 26th. tween the Federal Ministry of Transportation through NIMASA An unknown number of passengers were injured when the air- and the military on the fight against piracy, adding that this is craft fired on the wooden boat, carrying cargo and passengers. what stakeholders have been advocating for. It is not known whether the helicopter was being operated by the Air Force or Navy. Eyewitnesses say an unidentified military For further information and to see MAST Services in the region, chopper descended to about 500 meters and opened fire on please click here. the passengers, who were mainly deckhands working on the boat, and injuring several people on board. Gulf of Guinea Piracy & Maritime Crime Figures: NIMASA targets piracy-free waters to reduce shipping costs 2021: insurance premiums Incidents reported: 37 (MDAT-GoG) Crew kidnapped: 45 (IMB, MDAT) A sustained reduction in reported cases of piracy and other Vessels hijacked: 1 (MDAT-GoG) maritime crimes in Nigerian waters would end the War Risk Insurance premium on Nigeria-bound cargoes, the Director- 2020: General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Incidents reported: 132 (MDAT-GoG) Crew Kidnapped: 130 (IMB) Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has said, Hellenic Ship- Vessels Hijacked: 3 (IMB) ping News wrote on August 31st. War Risk premiums continue to be a source of irritation for Nigeria. 2019: Incidents reported: 111 (MDAT-GoG) US Navy joins Operation Guinex exercise Crew kidnapped: 121 (IMB) Vessels hijacked: 4 (IMB) Defence Web reported on August 26th that the USS Hershel 3°30’ 4°00’ 4°30’ 5°00’ 5°30’ 6°00’ 6°30’ 7°00’ 7°30’ 8°00’ 6°00’ 5°30’ 5°00’ Hijack Kidnap 4°30’ Approach/Attack 4°00’ Suspicious Activity Theft 3°30’ MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 [email protected] www.mast-security.com 4 Indian Ocean Region A continued downward trend in Somali piracy has prompted leading shipping organisations to reduce the geographic boundaries of the ‘High Risk Area’ (HRA) for piracy in the Indian Ocean, which will apply from 1 September 2021. Robert Drysdale, OCIMF Managing Director said: “This adjustment to the HRA better reflects the reality of the piracy threat but given the breadth of maritime security threats faced by seafarers, a more intuitive and dynamic system for highlight- ing threats will be most welcome.” MAST will make use of the new chart as soon as it is published. Incidents: Nothing significant to report. or the beginning of the next year, the annual joint naval exer- cises, CHIRU, will be held in the Persian Gulf region. Russian, Israeli Navy holds joint security patrol with US 5th fleet Iranian and Chinese warships are taking part in it. The main aim The Jerusalem Post reported on Sept. 1st that the Israeli Navy is to practice actions on ensuring international shipping safety, had conducted its first ever maritime security partol with the and combating sea pirates,” Levan Dzhagaryan told Sputnik. US Navy’s 5th Fleet in the Red Sea. Three ships from the Israeli Navy took part in the exercise, the paper reported. IMO supports maritime security activities in East Africa The IMO has assisted in the strengthening of maritime secu- Concern over lack of Mozambique marsec planning rity governance in East Africa by participating in two regional Francois Vrey, Emeritus Professor of Military Science, Stellen- events during August: the Strategic Maritime Security and bosch University, has written an article for The Conversation, Blue Economy course (held 9th-13th August) held in Kenya, where he expresses concern at the absence of maritime se- and also the annual Cutlass Express event (26th July–6th Au- curity planning around the Mozambique insurgency. He warns gust) a United States Naval Forces Africa led, maritime secu- that the focus on land-based security ignores the fact that in- rity exercise conducted in the Western Indian Ocean. surgents stormed and held the port