America and the Caribbean Piracy Report
In June 2018 a robbery on an Asphalt/Bitumen Tanker was reported at Port Au Prince Anchorage, Haiti and an attempted robbery on a Bulk Carrier at Puerto Jose Anchorage, Venezuela. This was the ninth piracy incident reported at anchorages off Barcelona from January to June 2018. These incidents can be considered as petty theft.
Feedback 27 April 2018 Suriname Attack:
Twenty fishermen in four fishing boats were attacked at Wia Wia Bank, New Amsterdam, Suriname on 27 April 2018. Fifteen fishermen were killed during the attack. The owner of the suspect vessel, Christina-1SK1221, Nakool Manohar was arrested on 2 May 2018 in East Berbice, Corentyne. Ron Drepaul, the captain of the boat was arrested in May 2018. In June 2018, the nineteen-year-old Alexander Denhart was charged with the murder of Tilacknauth Mohabir, also called Caiman, one of the fishermen killed.12
Global Piracy Report
- The Gulf of Guinea is currently the area worst affected by piracy and maritime robbery worldwide with 70 reported incidents in the first half of 2018. A high concentration of incidents was found in Nigeria off Brass and Bonny, as well as the Lagos Anchorage and Lagos port complex.
- Vessels have been hijacked off Benin, Ghana and Nigeria. Kidnappings also occurred off the Gulf of Guinea in 2018. In total 87 crew members were held for ransom in the first half of 2018. They were kidnapped from vessels or held for ransom on hijacked vessels.
- Most of the incidents off Lagos and in the port area could be classified as petty theft. It is speculated that the implementation of 24-hour port operations, as well as the termination of security personnel at some of the terminals, were contributing factors in the increase in incidents in the Lagos port terminals.
- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) arrested 16 suspects in connection with a robbery on the Tanker, Lee Bo off Mersing, Malaysia on 1 June 2018.
- Two incidents related to the conflict in Yemen were reported off Al Hudaydah in June 2018. The Offshore Supply Vessel, VOS Theia was attacked by six men in a skiff and a UAE landing craft was hit by Houthi missiles.
- Although the risk to vessels transiting the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden remains low to vessels not affiliated with any of the warring parties in Yemen, it is possible that vessels could be caught in the crossfire. Vessels should refrain from anchoring or slow steaming when possible, especially around islands in the area. Vessels with a military profile or with a sailing pattern associated with logistical support to either party in the conflict are more likely to be targeted.
- The Shipping Industry published the “Global Counter Piracy Guidance for Companies, Masters and Seafarers” in June 2018, as a general framework to combat piracy. Find link GCPG 1
- BMP4 – “Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea” has been updated to include security threats in Yemen.
Source: Joubert, L. (2018)
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