22 - 28 June 2013 (Vol. 2; No.26/13) This Week's Newsletter is kindly Sponsored by: C-Level Maritime Risks Intel collection, analysis, early trends recognition & forecasting 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. Undetected pirates abandon dhow, Search and rescue missions, towing a split-in-two- containership– After exhausting food and fuel, pirates abandon an Iranian dhow which is rescued by the Indian coastguard, just one of the missions to rescue crew and vessels in the past week or two. 5-year-old cargo ship, MOL Comfort, split in two in Arabian Sea has fore section towed, but aft section finally sinks. A Taiwan fishing vessel, destroyed by fire, sees search for missing crew. Militant leader in Somalia said to be handed over to local administration by pirates after escaping Al Shabaab infighting. Somalia tops the Failed State Index for sixth year running. West and Central Africa nations agree on cooperation but seek international naval force deployment to combat piracy threat. Nigeria makes a series of arrests for illegal oil bunkering, piracy and pipeline vandalism. Pirate on US witness stand recounted how he walked out of a 58-foot sailboat's second bedroom on Feb. 18, 2011, to see three of his compatriots opening fire on their four hostages. Bangladesh calls for greater support from IMO for capacity building of marine institutions. EU countries plan to consider whether or not to extend the EU NAVFOR anti-piracy mission off Somalia and look into its use of battlegroups as cooperation talks with Mozambique and Somalia Federal Government are undertaken. Iran claims around 150 clashes with pirates has seen many handed over to the judiciary and promises to to continue their ‘astonishing performance’ by its navy. Lithuania deploys logistic detachment; Finland deploys a vessel protection detachment and Japan patrol vessel will take part in a military exercise on the international stage for the first time in the Gulf of Aden. Australia signs a cooperative agreement with Seychelles for the prosecution of piracy. Drones over Africa. Somalia is to charge heavy amounts on any ships found illegal fishing along its coastline, whilst a US court ordered three men to pay $29 million in restitution to the South African government for illegal fishing in that country’s waters for almost 15 years. African countries have reportedly lost about $300billion to oil theft and illegal fishing in the continent since 2003. A French sailor freed from kidnappers said of his captors that they, "were not there to harm the crew, but we felt that they were unpredictable ... disorganised". Family of crew member of MV Albedo run social media campaign to save ‘Aman Sharma’ after disappointment in gaining his safe release. IMO Secretary General gives a video message in celebration of the third year of the campaign the "Day of the Seafarer". Internet and social media as part of crew welfare under MLC may cause a headache but is not so straightforward to achieve. India’s first all-women crew of Indian Coast Guard takes flight in ICG Dornier for maritime recce over the Arabian Sea. 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 A FISHING vessel with 16 crew, left stranded by Somali pirates, is rescued by the Indian Coast Guard ship, Varuna in rough weather conditions - OCEANUSLive. Close on the heels of Indian Coast Guard Ship Varuna rescuing 22 crew members, including 18 Maldivians and 4 Indians on board MV Asian Express, a Maldivian registered cargo vessel, on 12 June, on Sunday, 23 June, this vessel in Lakshadweep Islands saved a further 16 lives from fishing boat Al Husaini left stranded by pirates. The crew included 13 Iranians and three Pakistanis, more than 250 nautical miles west of Lakshadweep islands. ICGS Varuna, proved its mettle as a saviour at sea in yet another lifesaving mission in adverse weather conditions. The fishing boat had departed Kanraka/Chahbhar port Iran on 16 May was captured by Somali pirates off Socotra. The pirates, after utilising the boat for 25 days, left it stranded on 10 June emptying food and exhausting fuel. The Indian Coast Guard was requested for assistance on 21 June. MRCC Mumbai diverted merchant vessels in proximity to render assistance. Image - ICGS Varuna AL Shabaab official Hassan Dahir Aweys – on the US most wanted terrorist list – has been reportedly captured in the town of Adaado on Wednesday after fleeing Al Shabaab infighting in southern Somalia, Garowe Online reports - AllAfrica. Local sources told GO that at first a group of armed pirates captured the Al Shabaab leader in the Himan and Heeb area in Galgudud region. The former Hizbul Islam Chief, Hassan Dahir Aweys was making his way reportedly to the pirate strongholds of Hobyo and Harardheere. Sources continued to say that the pirates in the area handed the wanted terrorist over to the Himan and Heeb administration in the area. The administration in the area is currently holding discussions with Somali Federal Government (SFG) and other stakeholders on how to transfer Aweys. SFG President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stated that Aweys should be transferred to Mogadishu where he would stand trial for his crimes. Sources tell GO that Ethiopia and the U.S. are also requesting his handover as they are concerned about a judicial hearing of such a high ranking Al Shabaab official. The arrest of Aweys comes as Al Shabaab infighting has reached a climax. The terrorist group battled each other in the ancient port city of Barawe resulting in 15 deaths. Aweys and Al Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane had a falling out after Aweys did not agree with the harsh sentences and "dictatorial behaviour" of the Al Shabaab leader. IN unstable Egypt, armed forces have moved in to safeguard international shipping traffic along the Suez Canal, with military units spreading out to secure the facilities of the waterway in the cities of Ismailia, Suez and Port Said - Gulfship News Mohab Mamish, head of the Suez Canal Authority, said in press statements, said that the Egyptian navy, air force, border guards and field army have been deployed. June 30 will see a massive nationwide strike and protest against the increasingly unpopular president of the nation, Mohammed Morsi. Morsi has warned the protests could result in economic paralysis for the nation. BRITAIN is spending £14million on a jail to lock up terrorists and pirates — in Somalia - The Sun. Taxpayers’ money will also go to fund mobile criminal courts in lawless states currently plagued by al-Qaeda. The prison in Mogadishu will ensure dangerous warlords are kept behind bars. It will also make it easier for Britain to deport foreign criminals and terror suspects. More than 400 Somali criminals are in UK jails because there is nowhere to detain them back home in Africa. International Development Secretary Justine Greening is splashing out to rebuild the Somali capital’s 180-year-old prison, which will hold 700. Image - Somali prisoners. File Photo PATROL and surveillance of the Kenyan Coast line by the Navy has received a major boost after the British government flagged off a Sh21 million support project -AllAfrica. British high commissioner to Kenya Christian Turner yesterday handed over a three-year deal that will see the Navy benefit in marine patrol training and support from the UK. Speaking during the handing over ceremony at the Kenya Navy Mtongwe base, Tuner said the move is part of UK's support in the fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean. "This will help Kenyan authorities in their efforts to maintain security at the water border between Kenya and Somalia. This should make the Kenyan coast safer," Turner said. He said improved security at the Coast will attract more tourists.The project will boost the Kenya Navy's ability to tackle piracy threats and other illegal activities at the Coast. The project includes a high speed rigid inflatable patrol boat which was handed over to the navy commander major general Ngewa Mukala. The boat is linked to a radar scanner in-hull and steering compass.The water craft is also fitted with inflatable collars making it almost unsinkable. THE EU and Somalia announce “The New Deal for Somalia Conference”, 16th September 2013 - RBC Radio. The Federal Government of Somalia and The European Union (EU) are to co-host “The New Deal For Somalia Conference” in Brussels on 16 September 2013. The international conference will endorse the New Deal Compact that will commit the Somali people and their international partners to a set of key priorities and new support for the reconstruction of Somalia over the next three years. The Conference is set to build on the momentum of progress and change in Somalia. High Representative Vice President Catherine Ashton said: “The situation in Somalia has been transformed over the past year. There is now a real atmosphere of activity, emerging governance and hope. It is therefore more important than ever that the international community makes good on its promises of support for the Somali people. This joint event, co-hosted by Somalia and the EU, will establish the New Deal Compact as the foundation of the international community and Somalia’s mutual commitment to a three year plan that can deliver peace, security and development to all Somali people.” EACH year's Failed States Index analyzes how countries performed during the previous year, e.g., 2013's index measures countries' performance in 2012 - Foreign Policy. Somalia remains top of the table for the sixth year running.