24 – 30 August 2013 (Vol. 2; No.35/13)

Sponsor the newsletters - Click

Ask us how you can be a sponsor of this newsletter in 2013 - click here.

Feedback on the newsletter is welcomed too.

Six or four pirates killed in Calabar River area & five detained over oil theft - Nigerian Navy conduct an operation in Gulf of Guinea Calabar River resulting in pirates killed in failed attempt against passenger vessel. UN Secretary General calls on Central African leaders to collectively focus on conflict prevention in the subregion; littoral states come together to fine-tune ways of checking their common enemies, pirates; EU prepares to increase security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea and IMO’s 92nd MSC session recognized the gravity of the issue of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Gulf of Guinea and calls on flag states to reinforce full implementation of current recommendations. “Well-crafted regulations” to protect offshore oil rigs are required says Ghana. In Bangladesh, four suspected pirates were killed in gunfight with police and a further 15 pirates were arrested following the kidnap of 15 fishermen in the area. Pirate-held fishing boat, Naham 3, ran aground and hostages moved ashore – the last commercial vessel held says NATO. Yemen strengthens effort to fight piracy. Governor in Puntland claims pirates were released from prison following bribery payment. Somalia FG and Jubland come to an agreement. New Zealand looks to boost role in fighting maritime insecurity in East Asia as ReCAAP reports 11 incidents reported in July. Iranian captain sank his vessel loaded with 65 car bombs – believed destined for terrorist in Iraq - at the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr before fleeing. US ‘pirate prosecutor’ to step down from US Attorney position. US and China PLA Navy exercise cooperation in maritime security in the Gulf of Aden. Birmingham (UK) cab driver, Royal Naval Reservist given an award by Prince Charles for counter piracy operation . Contents: Regional Activity; Released by Pirates; Pirates in Court; Private Security; International Response; Piracy Cost; Seafarers' Plight; And Finally...; Piracy Incidents; Situational Map

East Africa/Indian Ocean YEMEN is strengthening efforts to fight piracy and armed robbery on nearby seas alongside 10 other countries through the Regional Maritime Information Sharing Centre in Sanaa - Al Shorfa. The centre was established in 2011 but until July 2013 it lacked a presidential decree specifying its duties, said centre head Mohammed al-Majaashi. The centre now seeks to expand the scope of its activities to include ensuring maritime safety in general, for example combating marine pollution and illegal immigration, and undertaking rescue operations. Al-Shorfa spoke with al-Majaashi about the centre’s activities, goals and importance. Al-Shorfa: What was the origin of the centre? Mohammed al-Majaashi: The centre was established pursuant to the resolutions of the Djibouti Code of Conduct on the Repression of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, signed by 20 countries in the region and approved by Yemen in 2009. One of the [Code's] articles stipulated establishing three information exchange centres — the first in Sanaa, the second in Mombasa, Kenya, and the third in Dar es-Salaam, Tanzania — with the Sanaa centre serving as a regional centre and the other two as national focal points. The Code also stipulated that signatory countries establish national communication nodes to relay information to and from the centre, and, of course, impart this information to the authorities in their countries. Yemen, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates are all member states at the Sanaa centre. image - Mohammed al-Majaashi, head of the Regional Maritime Information Sharing Centre in Sanaa, scans video display boards at the centre. [Faisal Darem/Al-Shorfa]

MUDUG governor of Puntland section has said that senior regional judiciary officials released pirates from prison after they have been paid bribes - Dalsan Radio. Mohamed Jaamac Tigey who was speaking with local media in Galkacyo has referred the insecurity in Mudug region and in the region’s capital of Galkacyo to the growing number of the pirates entering the town recently. The governor mentioned Galkacyo court officials recently released several pirate me who were released from the jail and then gang robbed a car from the north of Galkacyo. He has accused the court officials were corrupt and taking bribes from the pirates kings living in the region. FISHING vessel Naham 3 has been removed from the list of pirated ships as it is now grounded and unlikely to be moved again. Furthermore is it assessed that the remaining hostages have been moved ashore. Subsequently, the vessel has been removed from the list of vessels held by Somali pirates (NSC). THE semi-autonomous Somali state of Jubaland agreed Wednesday to ally itself with the national government, in a deal hailed as boosting to efforts to unify the war-torn nation - Capital FM News Kenya. The is welcome news for Somalia’s internationally-backed authorities, who have struggled to extend their reach far beyond the capital Mogadishu and are also fighting the Al-Qaeda-inspired Shabaab militia. Jubaland, situated in southern Somalia and bordering Kenya, was one of several breakaway regions of the fractured Horn of Africa nation. There is also Puntland in the northeast tip of the country which wants autonomy within a federation of states, while Somaliland in the northwest declared total independence in 1991. The agreement was signed after a week of negotiations in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa between Somalia’s state minister, Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir, and the self-appointed leader of Jubaland, Ahmed Madobe. “The Federal Government of Somalia and the (Jubaland) delegations have agreed to an Interim Administration” for the region, the agreement states. The deal will still see Madobe remain in charge of Jubaland for a two-year transitional period, but he did agree to hand over control of the port and airport in the strategic coastal city of Kismayo.

THE Kenyan Ports Authority (KPA) says it has installed more than 400 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras as part of an electronic surveillance fence around the port of Mombasa as it moves to tighten security around ports nationwide - DefenceWeb. KPA managing director Gichiri Ndua told local media during a tour of the Mombasa facility that once commissioned, the new integrated security system will give the port 24-hour security surveillance and enable the KPA to deal with global maritime security problems such as smuggling and piracy and meet global port security standards. “We now have a state-of-the-art port security system in place which we shall officially commission soon. This puts our port under 24 hour (security) surveillance,” Ndua said. The system has been installed by Magal Security Systems, an Israeli company which specialises in maritime security and surveillance systems. The new system will also link all security and surveillance activities at Mombasa port automatically to the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPF-SC). Mombasa is one of East Africa’s busiest port and transit point for goods moving between Africa and Asia and from Asia to South America through the Horn of Africa.

THE aim of this article is to find out about the modus operandi of Somali piracy during its most intensive period of activity: 2005-2011 - IEEE.es. The method used consists of the identification, matching and analysis of 19 categories for each one of the 1,190 incidents attributed to Somali pirates by diverse sources of official information. The results make it possible to demonstrate a general panorama of the pirate attacks and the way they have evolved, and another more specific one that reflects the diverse parts of the Indian Ocean in which they have taken place. The capability of Somali pirates to adapt in order to continue with their activity in the face of the measures carried out to repress them, and how they have become a threat to international security is highlighted and analysed. It is concluded that the methodology put forward has been useful and it can be used to analyse other modern maritime piracy phenomena and to carry out comparative studies.

AS Somalia celebrates the first anniversary of the end of the transition, there is concern about the perceived slowdown in the fight against the Islamic militant group Al-Shabaab - AllAfrica. Andrews Atta-Asamoah has just returned from a visit to Somalia and says the security situation in Mogadishu is still precarious, even though a lot of progress has been made. He says the decision by the humanitarian organisation Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) to pull out of Somalia after 22 years in the country could be seen as a coded message to those who are considered to be too lenient towards Al-Shabaab. Piracy has drastically been reduced off the Somali coast. Are some of the punitive measures, like those against money laundering, finally working? All these responses are paying off, including the fact that ships now have their own security and are avoiding hotspots. One also has to give credit to the response of the Puntland government in trying to dismantle some of those groups who were behind the piracy, through imprisonment and legal responses. The underlying issue is that piracy is a fall-out of worsening insecurity in Somalia, so any time the security situation improves, you find that also reflected in the piracy situation.

West Africa

THE Commander, NNS Jubilee, Akwa Ibom, Commodore Isaac Ogbole, on Tuesday said the joint patrol teams of Nigerian Navy – NNS Jubilee and NNS Victory, Calabar, killed six pirates and injured one - Vanguard Nigeria. Ogbole said this in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom while briefing newsmen on the activities of the command. He said that local fishermen in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, briefed the naval officers about the operations of the pirates in the area. The commander said the pirates, who were operating in two boats, pretended as if the boats were passenger boats. He said that the naval boats had encircled the pirate boats to check if actually the boats were passenger boats. Ogbole said that when the officers got to the location as briefed by the fishermen, the pirates were taken by surprise as their efforts to engage the men of the Nigerian Navy in gun battle ended in their waterloo. He said that, as the naval officers tried to examine the boats, the pirates quickly brought out arms to shoot at the patrol teams.

SECRETARY-General Ban Ki-moon has called today on Central African leaders to collectively focus on conflict prevention in the subregion and to fight the threats of piracy and armed robbery at sea, as well as other security challenges - AllAfrica. "This meeting offers a unique opportunity to find concerted and innovative solutions to problems that threaten peace and security in the Central African sub-region," Mr. Ban said in a message to the 36th meeting of the UN Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC), held in Kigali, Rwanda. The Committee's mandate is to encourage arms limitation, disarmament, non-proliferation and development in the sub-region. It is grouping of eleven Member States comprised of Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, and Sao Tome and Principe. In the message, delivered by Abou Moussa, his Special Representative and head of the UN Office for Central Africa, Mr. Ban commended the Committee for its "pioneering efforts to address" piracy and armed robbery through the active collaboration with Member States and the Secretariat of the Economic Community of West African States and the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC).

THE Joint Task Force code-named Operation Pulo Shield has destroyed 48 illegal refinery camps in the Niger Delta in a renewed offensive against crude oil theft in the blighted region - 247 Nigeria News Update. Also, 40 wooden boats known as ‘Cotonou boats’ used by the oil thieves were destroyed by the operatives of the Special Security Forces who also nabbed five suspects during the operation that lasted from 10-23 August. Media Coordinator of the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement issued in Yenagoa, also said its operatives deployed at Adamakiri scuttled an attempt by some unscrupulous persons to establish an illegal crude refining camp at Samkiri in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

THE management of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), on Wednesday assured all stakeholders especially the international community of its resolve to ensure port facility owners/operators comply with International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code - The Guardian Nigeria. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) recently gave Nigeria 90-day ultimatum, which expires at the end of this month to improve on its maritime security or risk sanction. According to the USCG, failure to comply may lead to stoppage of sail of vessels from the United States of America to Nigeria. Speaking in Lagos, Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, explained that the agency has “taken up the challenge in ensuring that the country does not suffer the embarrassment of such sanctions as contained in the report”. He explained that an action has been developed and immediately activated to aggressively close the reported gaps. “This effort included dispatching competent recognized security organisations to conduct security surveys and assessments aimed at identifying and correcting these deficiencies and any other observed vulnerabilities. “Whilst focusing on these facilities listed in the USCG report, measures are already underway to address the generality of Port Facilities (PFs) in the nation’s maritime domain.

THE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Air Force have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to battle oil thieves and pirates on Nigerian waters - Business Day. The MoU will afford both agencies the opportunity to address the issue of sea robbery and oil theft that has been taking its toll on the nation’s economy using constant air surveillance to safeguard the maritime domain. Nigeria is said to have lost as much as $1.2 billion from crude theft in a single month in the first quarter of 2013 following incidences of illegal bunkering and sea piracy. The trade in oil theft led to a 17 percent fall in official oil sales in the first quarter of 2013, estimated at 400,000 barrels per day, Kingsley Kuku, special adviser to the president on Niger Delta, was cited as saying. Recent reports have indicated Nigeria loses about $6 billion in annual revenue due to oil thieves tapping pipelines to sell crude on the lucrative black market, with the $1.2 billion loss cited in the statement calculated on the basis of a $121 per-barrel oil price in the first quarter.

LITTORAL states in Africa and other parts of the world came together Tuesday to fine-tune ways of checking their common enemies, pirates, who have become a threat to merchant trade and economic progress across Africa - The Guardian Nigeria. The event which held at the Eko Hotel and Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos has “Delivering Maritime Security to Africa” as its theme. For the first time in history, the event was held in Africa and Nigeria was chosen as the host country. Chiefs of naval staff of various littoral nations and captains of maritime industries were at the event, which would last for three days. The chief host and the Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, in his speech noted that the evolving security threat around Africa’s maritime domain is directed at the economic lifeline of both littoral and landlocked states (landlocked states are non-coastal states). According to him, “The presence today of our political leaders, heads and representatives of navies and coastguards across and outside Africa evokes an important message on commitment towards finding solution to the maritime threats and related capacity inadequacies across the continent. “What is more disturbing is that much of the activities associated with the evolving threat. In other words, the scourge of various forms of illegalities, such as sea robbery, human trafficking, particularly pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, including degradation of the maritime environment constitute serious challenges to the development of Africa.” The Ghana’s Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Geofrey Biekro told the audience that the Gulf of Guinea has become a dangerous area for maritime trade. “The Gulf of Guinea has become one of the most dangerous maritime areas in the world and piracy and sea robbery have become one of the most potent threats. “Therefore, criminal gangs are taking advantage of our failure to collaborate at the operational and tactical levels. They commit offence in territorial waters of one country and then move to another country for protection.” Image via Guardian News

ABOUT four suspected sea pirates were feared dead Tuesday while naval officer, Seaman, Barau Ibrahim, suffered a gunshot wound after a shootout with men of the NNS Victory of the Nigerian Navy in Calabar along the Calabar channel - WorldStage Group News. The navy succeeded in capturing one of the suspected sea pirates, who gave his name as Bassey Bassey, and brought him into the NNS Victory base. The leader of the navy team, Lieutenant Linus Osuman narrated that at about 8.30am Tuesday as they were escorting a Cameroonian vessel, the BRENDA CORLETT, in their gunboat when they came across a couple of speed boats around Parrot Island around the Oron Bar. He said immediately, the boats who they suspected wanted to rob the vessel, sighted the naval team they took off. He said they gave chase and one of the boats disappeared into the creeks. The other developed engine problem and stalled. He said while they were approaching the boat that had broken down, about seven men rose from the boat and started firing at them with AK47s. He said they had to return fire and in the process at least four of the robbers were hit and they fell into the water. The others jumped into the river. He said they managed to get hold of one of them as he kept bobbing in and out of the water. The captured robber had charms tied all over him, he said. No bodies were however found. Osuman said their boats would return to the scene to see if they would recover anything. The wounded naval official, Ibrahim, said they would have given chase into the creek if they were in a smaller boat. He was thankful for being alive, assuring that the navy would continue to do all it can to protect the waterways.

THE European Union said Wednesday that it was preparing to increase security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea, the West African maritime region that has become a global piracy hotspot - GlobalPost. The new measures, likely to be announced in October, will however not include sending warships to the region, a move that helped reduce pirate attacks off East Africa, said German Rear Admiral Jurgen Ehle, who heads an EU military working group for West Africa. “The EU is developing a Gulf of Guinea strategy,” Ehle said, adding that European leaders would likely finalise the document “by the end of October”. Speaking to a maritime security conference in Nigeria’s economic capital, he said the EU’s efforts will focus on helping improve coordination between regional navies, training and other measures, rather than deploying forces. “The main part of the strategy … is less to send ships,” the German officer said, specifying the focus is on “military advice” and civilian programmes to curb poverty, which is fuelling much of the unrest.

THE Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninety-second session (12 to 21 June 2013), recognized the gravity of the issue of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Gulf of Guinea and the extreme violence exhibited, and expressed its deep concern for, and condemnation of, such activities - IMO. The Committee called upon flag States whose ships are operating in the area to reinforce the need for the full implementation of the current recommendations to Governments and guidance to shipowners and ship operators, ship masters and crews on preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships and other guidelines developed by the Organization and the industry. Such other guidance includes the newly developed Interim Guidelines for Owners, Operators and Masters for protection against piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea region (the Interim Guidelines), developed by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) and the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) and are supported by NATO Shipping Centre. The Committee agreed to promulgate details of the Interim Guidelines and instructed the Secretariat to do so. The Committee recognized that the Interim Guidelines should be read in conjunction with the Best Management Practices (BMP), adopted and circulated by the Committee as MSC.1/Circ.1339, and the other IMO guidance mentioned above. Image - Risk Assessment Process - Interim Guidelines for protection against piracy in GoG via @Safety4Sea (Click to enlarge)

THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on. Tuesday threatened to shut down Nigeria's largest container terminal operated by APM Terminal Apapa Limited over inadequate seaport infrastructure provided by the concessionaire - Leadership Nigeria. Speaking to freight forwarders and other maritime stakeholders at an industry forum on the newly introduced customs portal, the Nigerian Trade Hub and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), in Lagos, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Abdullahi Inde Dikko said the terminal which handled about 70 per cent of the container traffic in Nigeria, had failed to improve its port infrastructure despite several inspections by ministers who had stressed the need to do so. He noted that in order to help the situation at the terminal, the Customs had transferred more than 5,300 containers out of Apapa to offdock terminals in Lilypond and Kirikiri Lighter Terminal in the last two months as a temporary measure to ease the tension caused by delay in cargo clearance due to inadequate cargo handling equipment at the terminal. Nigeria Customs plans to replace the Risk assessment Report (RAR) with the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) when the service shall take over the destination inspection scheme. Image - Containers at seaport; via Leadership Nigeria

THE Federal Government said on Wednesday it had begun the implementation of the International Ships and Ports Facilities Security (ISPS) Code in the ports nationwide - Leadership Nigeria. The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, announced this in a statement by Mrs Yetunde Sonaike, Deputy Director, Press and Protocol, in the ministry. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ISPS is an amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention (1974/1988) on minimum security arrangements for ships, ports and government agencies. Having come into force in 2004, it prescribes responsibilities to governments, shipping companies and port/facility personnel to "detect security threats and take preventive measures against security incidents affecting ships or port facilities used in international trade. The minister said that implementation of the code became necessary so that Nigeria’s ports system would be safe and secured for the benefit of Nigerians and foreign investors in the maritime industry. "Nigeria is a country that depends solely on oil; making the ports safe is of paramount interest to the present administration,” it added.

GHANA requires “well-crafted regulations” designed specifically to protect its offshore oil rigs from potential threats like piracy and terrorism, Naval Captain Emmanuel Ayensu Kwarfo, Director of Naval Training of the Ghana Navy, has said - Ghanaweb. “We are talking about a law that will cover the broad range of offences that could threaten the survival of the oil industry…We need laws that will protect the oil industry and which will also empower us [the navy] to enforce those laws, so that when we go out to sea and we see anyone offending those laws we will be in a position to enforce them. But where there are no laws, we will be limited,” he told journalists on the sidelines of a workshop organised by the Petroleum Commission on the country’s preparedness for upstream safety and security. “There is what is called the Fisheries Act, which spells out offences in that sector; and the Act empowers the Ghana Navy to enforce the fisheries laws of the nation. So when we go to sea in our normal course of operations and we find you offending our fisheries rules, we arrest you and bring you to the Ministry in charge — which prosecutes you according to the laws,” he added. Globally, offshore oil and gas installations are viewed as national strategic assets that are exposed and vulnerable to terror threats and ocean pirates.

Southeast Asia NEW Zealand is keen on taking a bigger role in boosting the measures against maritime-related crimes in East Asia - Crewtoo. In a key forum in Brunei, New Zealand defence chief Jonathan Coleman said that the country plans to shift its focus on co-chairing the working group on maritime security of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) starting in April 2014. New Zealand is currently co-heading the ADMM-Plus' experts working group on peacekeeping operations. According to the official, Asia-Pacific nations need to join forces in eliminating maritime-related crimes such as piracy, people-smuggling and illegal fishing to uphold a secure maritime environment.

ReCAAP ISC reports a total of 11 incidents comprising 10 actual incidents and one attempted incident of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in July 2013 -OCEANUSLive. Of these, one was a piracy incident occurred in the South China Sea. Of the 11 incidents, three were Category 2 (moderately significant) incidents, one was a Category 3 (less significant) incident, six were petty theft (minimum significant) incidents and one was an attempted incident. Notably, petty theft incidents formed the bulk of the total number of incidents reported in July 2013, and they occurred at ports and anchorages in the Philippines (3) and Indonesia (3). No Category 1 incident was reported. Of the 11 incidents reported in July 2013, three incidents occurred when the vessels were underway and all were Category 2 incidents. The first incident occurred on 10 Jul 13 when tanker, LG Asphalt 1 was underway off Pulau Tioman, Malaysia. Eight robbers armed with guns and knives boarded the vessel, tied the crew; and stole the crew’s cash and personal belongings before they escaped. The second incident occurred on 12 Jul 13 involving supply vessel, Crest Apache while underway off Pulau Damar, Indonesia in the South China Sea when armed pirates boarded the vessel and escaped with the crew’s personal belongings. After the pirates had left, one of the ship’s crew was discovered missing. It was not known if the crew was missing due to the incident or other reasons. The third incident occurred on 18 Jul 13 when general cargo ship, Dolfijngracht was underway off Pulau Mapor, Indonesia. Ten robbers armed with guns and knives boarded the vessel, threatened the crew, and stole cash, computers and personal belongings before they escaped. It was also reported that a bullet hole was found on the vessel, indicating that the robbers had discharged their firearm. However, it was not known when and under what circumstance that the firearm was discharged. No crew was injured.

AT least four suspected pirates were killed in a gunfight with police at Uttar Dhal Char in Monpura upazila, Bhola, early Sunday, according to a UNB report - Dhaka tribune. The district police superintendent Maniruzzaman said a gang of pirates had opened fire on a patrol team from Lalmohan police station in the area around 2:30am. Police also fired at the pirates, triggering a gunfight that lasted for an hour, leaving four pirates dead on the spot. At one stage, the pirates fled the scene with the bodies of their unidentified cohorts. Police later seized a trawler used by the pirates.

PIRATES kidnapped 15 fishermen along with a trawler from Talia Char area in the Meghna River under Hatia upazila of Noakhali early Thursday [15 Aug], reports UNB - Dhaka Tribune. One of the fishermen sustained bullet wounds during the pirate attack. Assistant Sub-inspector Gulzar of Char Nizam police camp under Monpura upazila of Bhola said a gang of pirates swooped in on three trawlers in Talia Char area during the early hours of Thursday. When the fishermen tried to resist the bandits, they opened fire indiscriminately, leaving Zakir Hossain, 30, injured. Later, the pirates looted valuables from the trawlers and kidnapped 15 fishermen along with a trawler. On information, police of Char Nizam camp conducted a drive in the morning and arrested 15 pirates from the area, said Gulzar. Zakir was admitted to Charfassion upazila health complex in critical condition. Earlier, pirates kidnapped 21 fishermen along with two trawlers from the Meghna River under Monpura upazila early Wednesday. The police did however; manage to rescue 10 of them soon after the incident.

South America/Caribbean NSTR

Other

PROTESTS by guards at the Libyan port of Harega have hampered efforts to kick start oil exports through the port - Gulfship News. A number of tankers have entered the port since August 16 but have not been able to take any cargoes onboard as a result of the protests going on around the terminal which is located next to one of Libya’s largest refineries. Elsewhere, the National Oil Corporation announced that it has removed the force majeure status partially at the oil port of Marsa Brega. Libyan oil exports have been hard hit in August as workers have been on strike and volumes of crude exported have dropped 70%.

AIS live ship tracking data showed that the first tanker was loaded with crude oil successfully in the Libyan port of Marsa Brega this week after the resumption of work in the past week following the strike of the port’s workers - Gulfship News. The data showed that the Vallesina crude oil tanker loaded 110,000 tons on August 24 and 25 and was on its way to Genoa. The work at the port was resumed on Tuesday, according to sources in the oil sector in Libya. The last ship to load fuel at the port was the Delta Victory on August 9.

LIBYAN Oil Minister Abdul Bary Arousi said on Tuesday that Libya's production of oil is still less than half of its pre-war level, as ports stopped exporting oil export in the east of the country. He added that the country's crude production fell to 665,000 barrels per day due to strikes, compared to 1.55m barrels a day before that - Gulfship News. Meanwhile, the Deputy Oil Minister said that the port of Marsa Brega in the east is the only port working, and most of the production comes from two fields in the south and west - Al Zawiya and Mellitah.

ELEVEN days on from a car bomb that injured four at the port, an Iranian captain sank his vessel loaded with 65 car bombs at the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr before fleeing on a boat - Gulfship News. The car bombs were bound for terrorists in Iraq. Iraqi naval forces have avoided diving to check the ship’s condition for fear of the bombs going off. A foreign firm specializing in decommissioning sea mines has been contacted to fix the problem.

THE Skuld P&I Club following a number of enquiries in respect of the on-going situation in Egypt, has prepared the following FAQs. Egypt - Situational Questionnaire 1. When was the State of Emergency (SoE) declared - The State of Emergency was declared on 14 August 2013 all over Egypt 2. Is this SoE open-ended or subject to an expiry date - The State of Emergency was declared for one month commenced on 14/08/2013 and up to 14/09/2013 3. Which ports and shipping areas are subject to curfew - Curfew had been declared in 14 governorates in Egypt, including Alexandria, Suez and North Sinai (Al Arish) as shipping areas, while the SoE prevails all over Egypt 4. From what time to what time the curfew in effect - Curfew was initially from 19:00 hrs up to 06:00 hrs LT (17:00 - 04:00 hrs UTC), but was reduced recently since 24 August 2013, to be from 21:00 hrs - 06:00 hrs LT, (19:00 hrs - 04:00 hrs UTC) 5. What is the consequence of violating the curfew - The curfew is enforced at strategic points by armed security (police/army) and it depends on the situation and persons, violators may be arrested. In case of emergencies it is recommended to contact the local correspondents for assistance if activity after curfew hours is necessary for some reason. 6. Is it safe to travel between cities and ports - say for example if a crew changeover is being planned - Our correspondents advise that it is generally safe to travel between cities and ports during daytime, while safety during night is not guaranteed. Members may wish to consider whether to undertake crew change-overs in Egypt during the current period. - In any event, for all travel and time spent inside Egypt, Members are advised to always employ common sense and undertake reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of their employees and crew. 7. Who is responsible for the security of Egyptian Ports - Police forces are responsible for the security of Egyptian ports. Click to see full Questionnaire

NSTR

NEIL MacBride, whose office successfully prosecuted a number of public officials, 26 Somali pirates and several high-profile terrorism cases, will step down from his position as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in September - Mount Vernon. MacBride's office announced this week that he would leave the district effective Sept. 13. An acting U.S. Attorney, who has not been named yet, will be appointed to handle cases until the Senate confirms a permanent replacement for the district. The Eastern District of Virginia covers Northern Virginia, Richmond and the Tidewater region and surrounding communities. Notably, prosecutors from MacBride's office were also able to obtain the first high-seas piracy convictions since 1820 for 26 Somali pirates.

Italian Marines NSTR

PIRATE fighter Ramsay Sawi has spoken about his dramatic former life guarding vessels on the high seas off Somalia - This is Gloucestershire. Ex-soldier Ramsay, 32, who has now set up a gym in Gloucester, spent six months this spring as a maritime security operator in the notorious waters to fund his new fitness venture. He worked on board cargo vessels in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden as an armed security guard and experienced a stand-off with pirates. "The procedure is that before firing, you send warning flares. It was enough. Once they realised there was security on board they backed off.

THE 14th and 15th escort taskforces under the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) held a mission handover ceremony after a two-day-long joint naval escort mission at the waters in the western Gulf of Aden on the afternoon of August 22, 2013, local time - People Daily. During the handover ceremony, the 14th Chinese naval escort taskforce introduced its experience from the six-month-long naval escort, during which personnel of the taskforce command post introduced in detail the current situation of pirate activities in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off the Somali coast. In addition, relevant naval escort documents, equipment and spare parts were handed over between the 14th and 15th Chinese naval escort taskforces, and after that the two sides signed the handover document. The 15th Chinese naval escort taskforce was scheduled to formally take over the 14th taskforce to implement naval escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off the Somali coast from 20:00 on August 22, local time.

THIS is the third time that the AFM is participating with troops as part of EU NAVFOR Atalanta off the coast of Somalia - Gozo News. The EU is one of the international actors contributing to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions, which urge states to increase and coordinate their efforts to deter acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. The role of the EU NAVFOR ATALANTA is to contribute to deter piracy and armed robbery in the region with a view to strengthen the security within the area of operations. Specific roles performed in priority order include: The protection of World Food Programme (WFP) vessels delivering aid to displaced persons in Somalia, and the protection of African Union Mission on Somalia (AMISOM) shipping. Image - Armed Forces of Malta Special Duties Enhanced Boarding Team (SDEBT)

FAMILY and friends joined dignitaries on the wharf at Garden Island, Sydney today to wave goodbye to HMAS Melbourne, as she departed for a tour of duty to the Middle East Area of Operations - Australia Dept of Defence. Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Tim Barrett, and Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon, farewelled HMAS Melbourne as she began a six- month deployment focussed on maritime security and interception operations as part of Operation Slipper. Commanding Officer HMAS Melbourne, Commander Brian Schlegel, says his ship’s company of 234 are well prepared for the task ahead. “While it will be tough to be without our loved ones over the Christmas and New Year period, my crew are excited to be doing our part to protect sea lanes for trade while deterring illegal traffic and piracy,” Commander Schlegel said. “My ship’s company are a well-oiled machine, having put in many hours of rigorous training to ensure we are prepared for all the tasks that we may be asked to complete while assigned as part of multinational Combined Maritime Forces.” Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Barrett thanked the ship’s company and their family and friends for their sacrifices. Image - HMAS Melbourne Deployment

THE guided-missile destroyer ‘USS Mason’ (DDG 87) personnel participated in a counter piracy exercise in the Gulf of Aden with elements of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (Navy) (PLA(N)), aboard the destroyer ‘Harbin’ and Chinese auxiliary replenishment oiler Weishanhu (AO 887) - MarineLink. Mason joined Chinese destroyer Harbin(DDG 112) and Chinese auxiliary replenishment oiler Weishanhu (AO 887) to conduct a series of evolutions including combined visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), live-fire proficiency, and aviation operations to enhance bilateral interoperability in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). The U.S. Navy and People’s Liberation Army (Navy) share a common interest in preserving legitimate mariners’ access to, and secure use of, the maritime domain by deterring, disrupting and suppressing piracy,” said Vice Adm. John Miller, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces. “Both regional and global security environments call for practical cooperation between navies, and this exercise demonstrates a cooperative effort by the U.S. and China to address common maritime security challenges.” The Chinese oiler played the role of a pirated vessel as VBSS teams from both Mason and Harbin performed two boardings as a combined unit. The U.S.-Chinese team successfully completed the VBSS evolutions that included mock medical emergency and hostage scenarios. image - US & PLAN sailors: Photo credit USN THE Japan P&I Club has published a revised edition of Piracy related issues - Frequently Asked Questions. The document contains a total of 16 questions, covering issues such as armed guards, weapons of war, PMSCs insurance, ransom and guidance for attacks. Find here below some of them answered by the Japan Ship Owners’ Mutual Protection & Indemnity Association (JPI) Club. Questions such as:  Do clubs cover piracy?  What does "similar weapons of war" mean?  What do hull underwriters cover and what do war risk underwriters cover?  Should shipowners carry guards?  Should guards be armed?  Is cover prejudiced by the use of unarmed/armed guards?  Are there any contractual issues with the use of security companies?

NSTR

People Smuggling/Pirate Fishing NSTR.

THE National Centre for Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR) hosted two days online workshop in collaboration with International Maritime Bureau (IMB), UK and Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Progarmme (MPHRP), UK on August 21-22, 2013 at Bahria University Karachi Campus - Daily Times. The topic of the workshop was Pre-Departure Piracy Awareness Training. The event was aimed to address the pre-requisites and some of the most apt training requirements for seafarers to deal with the issue of piracy. The experts highlighted the idea that the merely approach to resolve piracy issue is to make seafarers resilient, to provide them sound professional training, ensure application of International regulatory measures and to adopt Best Management Practices (BMPs).

Aid Workers' Plight NSTR.

IT seemed appropriate that I watched the DVD of the Danish film “Hijacking” on the 40th anniversary of the day when the term “Stockholm Syndrome” was coined, following the end of a six-day bank siege which began on 23rd August 1973 - Ince Law. “Hijacking” centres on the fictional vessel the Rozen and is loosely based on the taking of the Clipper-managed vessel the CEC Future in November 2008 which was released after 65 days. It is a compelling film and provides an insight into the pressures felt by those involved, not least by the crew who bear the brunt of the protracted negotiations (the Rozen is “held” for just over four months). It is a must-see film for fans of “Borgen”, with several familiar faces and I half expected (wistfully) Birgitte Nyborg (Borgen’s fictional PM) to march in and take charge. The date of the hijacking is not known but the assumption is that it is set recently. Certainly, modern anti-piracy charts adorn the walls of the Crisis Room and yet the ship shows no sign of adhering to Best Management Practice. I did wonder whether the contrast between the well-appointed offices of the owner and the run- down appearance of the ship was deliberate. I am told not – that may have been down to budgetary constraints. These are small niggles which only those in the know will spot and irrelevant to the story, which focuses on the cook (“Mikkel”) who has the day to day responsibility to feed the crew and pirates. We watch his fear following the capture and his subsequent mental deterioration. But we share the moments where the pirates and crew do seem to bond in common experience. Released crew will relate to these moments and the Stockholm Syndrome is used to describe those ambivalent feelings that hostages describe and indeed some say it works the other way. Others it seems question whether there is really any diagnostic criteria to identify the Syndrome and, although it is often referred to, I have not come across it in the context of Somali pirates. Interestingly Natascha Kampusch, who was held for eight years, was not convinced. She said : “Looking for normality within the framework of a crime is not a syndrome. It is a survival strategy”. I have a feeling that Mikkel would agree, but the experience of the past few years is that some are better at it than others. By kind permission of Stephen Askins

HE is the modest Midlands minibus owner who swooped to save hostages held by dangerous pirates off the coast of Somalia - Birmingham Mail. Ed Grandison, 46, from Kings Norton, is a Royal Navy Reservist who was serving on fast fleet tanker Wave Knight, spearhead of a crackdown on piracy. They helped to free 13 Yemeni fisherman who had beenheld hostage by the pirates for seven days. Soon afterwards, his team were the first reservists to open fire at sea since the Falklands War when they chased off brigands trying to board a Norwegian tanker. Leading Seaman Grandison, says you should join RNR if you love a challenge. The minibus and chauffeur business boss’s Reservist career has taken him all over the world and led to a Royal seal of approval as he was named Reservist of the Year at a Military Awards ceremony. Ed said: “I relive those events nearly every day. I am so patriotic and proud of winning the award. I was invited to Clarence House to meet Prince Charles. He said I was a credit to myself, and he thanked me and also my family for supporting me. “I’m Brummie, from a working-class background like so many people in Birmingham, but I’ve travelled the world, met some amazing people and royalty, and I was getting paid for it all at the same time. “Joining RNR is one of the best things a young person can do. You get a real insight into what’s happening around the world. “I thought Birmingham was the world. It’s only when I have gone away with the Navy that I have seen the opportunities out there.” The Royal Naval Reserve was formed under the Naval Forces Act of 1903. More than 70,000 reservists played a part in the First World War, and almost half a million were enlisted in the Second World War. Image - Ed Grandison meets Prince Charles at Clarence House

Hijacks:

 NSTR.

Unsuccessful Attacks/Robberies (All regions):  Gulf of Guinea - LATE Report | While underway two speed boats with 14 pirates armed with pistols and AK47 rifles attacked a tug at 0315 LT approx 30nm south of Kwa Ibo, Nigeria. Eight pirates boarded the tug, captured four crew members, stole their personal belongings and took them ashore. On 21 Jun 2013 the four kidnapped crew members were safely released. It is believed a ransom was paid for their safe release. Reported 13 Jun.  SE Asia LATE Report | Three robbers in a motor boat approached a berthed Philippines- flagged livestock carrier, Brahman Express, at 1125 LT in Belawan Port, Indonesia. Two robbers boarded the ship while the other robber remained in the boat. Duty crew noticed that the robbers were stealing ship’s properties and reported to the D/O who raised the alarm and alerted the crew. Seeing crew alertness the robbers escaped with the stolen properties. Incident reported to Belawan Port Authority which dispatched a coast guard patrol boat to investigate. Reported (via IMB) 23 Aug.  SE Asia - Five robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored Panama-flagged bulk carrier, Kayu Eboni, at 0330 LT in Muara Berau Anchorage, Indonesia. Three of the robbers caught the duty A/B, threatened him with knife on his neck, took his walkie-talkie and tied him up. The robbers broke the lock of forward store and began to steal ship’s stores. While the robbers were busy stealing the ship’s stores, the duty A/B managed to free himself and reported to the D/O at bridge. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Upon hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped with the stolen stores. Incident reported to port control. Reported (via IMB) 23 Aug.  Gulf of Guinea - Pirates in two boats approached Cameroon-flagged passenger Ro- Ro,Brenda Corlett, at 0830 LT near Parrot Island, Calabar,Nigeria. A Nigerian Navy gunboat was escorting the vessel following tip off from local fishermen of pirate ops in the vicinity. NN gunboat gave chase resulting in one boat escaping into the nearby creeks but the other boat stalled. On approaching the boat, 7 pirates fired AK47 at the gunboat resulting in an exchange of gunfire with 4 pirates reported killed, 1 pirate was recovered and detained. Reported 27 Aug.

Other Incidents (awaiting full reports):

 Bangladesh port/anchorage - Hong Kong-flagged product tanker, St Micahelis, boarded and robbed. Reported 3 Aug;  Malaysia port/anchorage - Honduras-flagged product tanker, Moresby 9, boarded and robbed. Reported 17 Aug;  Malacca Strait/Singapore - Malaysia-flagged tug/supply vessel, Bahtera Mulia, boarded, theft. Reported 18 Aug.

Suspicious Activity

 Gulf of Oman - Security team embarked on Liberia-flagged (unnamed) LPG Tanker reported an approach by two skiffs and a speedboat at 1230 UTC in the Gulf of Oman, approx 22nm NE of Sohar. Four POB on each craft - all wearing shemagh-type headdress. The boats mirrored the tanker’s track and speed on stbd side. One of the skiffs then broke from the others and moved at high speed towards the ship. As the skiff headed towards the Tanker at speed the AST displayed weapons, forcing the skiff to abandon its approach. It then regrouped with the other craft. No fishing lines or equipment were observed. Reported 27 Aug.  Red Sea - Container ship reported being approached by a skiff at 1530 UTC in position 13:53N - 042:23E, S Red Sea. Skiff with 6-8 POB, approached to ¾ nm changing course and speed in a suspicious manner. Skiff loitered 1.5nm aft of the vessel before moving off. Vessel had AST embarked and is SAFE. Reported 30 Aug.

VESSEL and hostage numbers - IMB (as at 15 July). Worldwide Incidents 2013: 143 reported incidents including seven hijackings. Somali related incidents 2013: Nine reported Incidents including two hijackings. Current crew / vessels held by Somali pirates: hostages - 68 / vessels - 4 Nigeria related incidents 2013: 22 reported incidents including one hijacking. NATO & EUNAVFOR state Vessels: Nil and Hostages: 50. UKMTO - 7 vessels (including dhows & FVs); 72 Hostages. VESSELS are reminded that the coalition forces' warships may not be in the vicinity of a pirate attack, subsequently, it is emphasised that seafarers can greatly reduce their chances of being pirated if they follow precautions as recommended in the Best Management Practices, increasing speed and carrying out evasive manoeuvres is a proven deterrent to piracy attacks. BMP version 4 is available at the link above; a high resolution version can be downloaded here.

VESSELS are advised to exercise extreme caution when navigating in the vicinity of any reported positions of attacks and maintain maximum CPA with any ship acting suspiciously. Additionally, registration of vessel movement with MSC(HOA) prior to transiting the region is recommended.

A change of regional map in light of the increase in pirate activity off West Africa over Horn of Africa. An interactive version of this situational map is available through registration of verified access to OCEANUSLive

Reported incidents in the HoA/IORHRA.. OCEANUSLive.org permits the reproduction of this image providing source and link are published (Map ToU)

Note: OCEANUSLive accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of content not under our control. Every effort is made to maintain the original content as published.