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OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report
5 October - 4 November 2015
5 November 2015

(U) Table of Contents

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

(U) Scope Note

(U) Summary
(U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories
(U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region
(U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources
(U) Appendix B: Terminology and References

1. (U) Scope Note

(U) The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides info on piracy threats to, and criminal action
against, merchant vessels worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily to inform merchant
mariners and naval forces.

2. (U) Summary
A. (U) INDIA: On 31 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier in Kandla
Anchorage.
B. (U) INDIA: On 29 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored tanker via the anchor chain
In the Reliance Crude Anchorage.
C. (U) LIBERIA: On 24 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier in Monrovia
Anchorage.
D. (U) FRENCH POLYNESIA: On 16 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored sailing yacht
in Maharepa, Moorea.

3. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for November 2015. 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 November 2015. All merchant vessels wishing to join
the convoy group must submit their application forms directly to the ROK naval warship carrying out the mission.
The ROK MTG can be reached directly at INMARSAT: 00-870-773-110-439; Email: cheonghaeetg@navy.mil.kr.
(MSCHOA)

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C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for November 2015. For further information,
please e-mail planavy@navy.mil.cn, or call Tel: 86 10 652 92218/96; Fax: 86 10 652 92245. (MSCHOA)
D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for November 2015. To register, email
dgcommcentre-dgs@nic.in; or visit www.dgshipping.com. Telephone numbers for contact are: 91-22-22614646 or
fax at 91-22- 22613636. (MSCHOA)
E. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Russian Navy convoy escort schedule for November 2015. For further information e-mail
smb@msecurity.ru; isps@msecurity.ru; or fax +7 (499) 642-83-29. (MSCHOA).

4. (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 learned 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: No current incidents to report.
B.

(U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:

1. (U) COLOMBIA: On 20 October, a duty watchman on board an anchored product tanker noticed two robbers on
the forecastle near position 10:19 N - 075:31 W, Mamonal Anchorage. Bridge crew raised alarm and directed the
search light toward the forecastle area and sounded forward fog horn. Upon hearing alarm, the robbers escaped.
Nothing reported stolen. (IMB)
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: No current incidents to report.

F.

(U) WEST AFRICA:

Figure 1. West Africa Piracy and Maritime Crime

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1. (U) LIBERIA: On 24 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position
06:20 N - 010:51 W, Monrovia Anchorage. The robbers were able to board unnoticed and steal ships properties
and escape. The theft was noticed when the crew noticed the padlock to the safety locker broken. Incident reported
to local agents. (IMB)
2. (U) CAMEROON: On 25 October, a large canoe made a suspicious approach against an oil platform near
position 04:19 N - 008:28 E, approximately 11 nm offshore from the Bakassi area. A security vessel responded and
the canoe turned around and headed into Nigerian territorial waters, only to return a short while later with an
additional speedboat. Persons in both boats reportedly fired at the security vessel, which returned fire, and both
boats retreated back into Nigerian territorial waters. (MITSC-GOG)
3. (U) NIGERIA: On 23 October, a community leader in Ogbia Town, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State,
Chief Geoffrey Agorodo, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen. The gunmen were reportedly dressed in army
uniforms when they struck at Ogbia waterfront and seized the man. They were said to have taken Agorodo to a
waiting speedboat and escaped after shooting sporadically to scare people away. (www.news7.ng)
4. (U) NIGERIA: On 20 October, Nigerian Navy units impounded 5 ships and arrested 19 persons involved in
illegally transferring 108,000 liters of stolen fuel into five barges in a private jetty near a busy market area of Port
Harcourt. (www.leadership.ng)
5. (U) NIGERIA: On 19 October, gunmen boarded Comoros Islands-flagged refrigerated cargo ship SOLARTE near
position 03:58 N - 005:25 E, 36 nm southwest of Bayelsa Coast and kidnapped four crewmen, two Lithuanians and
two Ukrainians. During the boarding, the pirates damaged some of the ships equipment. (IMB; AFP;
www.news.odin.tc)
6. (U) CAMEROON: On 18 October, two suspicious high speed skiffs approached an underway LPG tanker
underway near position 02:42 N - 009:11 E, 45 nm west-southwest of Kribi. Second officer immediately informed
master who in turn raised the alarm and made announcements. As the skiffs approached the vessel, the master
increased speed and took evasive maneuvers resulting in the skiffs moving away. (IMB)
7. (U) NIGERIA: On 12 October, gunmen abducted five teachers from a secondary school in the Agba-Ndele in
Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. They were taken away from the area in a speed boat, according
to witnesses. (www.vanguardngr.com)
8. (U) NIGERIA: On 9 October, gunmen attacked the Kolo Creek Flow Station in the eastern section of the Niger
Delta, in Bayelsa State. A security guard working at the site was killed during the attack.
(www.worldstagegroup.com)
9. (U) ANGOLA: On 8 October, Angolan authorities arrested MT TOPIA PEARL and MT ARMADA TUAH for
conducting an illegal fuel transfer approximately 11 nm from the Angolan coastline. Authorities also found evidence
of a fuel spill in the sea near the ships. (www.allafrica.com)
10. (U) NIGERIA: On 6 October, the Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy confirmed the arrest of eleven
sailors aboard a tanker DERA and the tug CHARLEY RUNNER along the waterways in Bayelsa State. They were
in possession of an estimated 6,000 tons of stolen crude oil. The Nigerian Navy detained the vessel and tugboat
along the Eremor 1 Marginal Oil Field located off Peretorugbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa
State. (www.saharareporters.com)
G. (U) ARABIAN GULF: No current incidents to report.
H. (U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA: No current incidents to report.

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I.

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

Figure 2. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian

Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) INDIA: On 31 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position 22:46
N - 070:02 E, Kandla Anchorage. Duty crewmen on routine rounds noticed the broken padlocks to the bosun store
room and ships stores were stolen. Incident report to port control. (IMB)
2. (U) INDIA: On 29 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored tanker via the anchor chain
near position 22:40 N - 069:56 E, Reliance Crude Anchorage. The robbers stole ships properties from the
forecastle store room and escaped. The theft was noticed by duty crew on routine rounds. (IMB)
3. (U) BANGLADESH: On 27 October, pirates looted at least 12 fishing trawlers in the Feyar Boya area. At least
four fishermen received bullet injures as the pirates opened fire on them and later the injured jumped into the
bay. The pirates also abducted 40 fishermen, in addition to stealing a large amount of fish, two fishing boats and
several boat engines. (www.daily-sun.com)
4. (U) BANGLADESH: On 26 October, pirates abducted at least 50 fishermen from the Bay of Bengal, attacking a
fleet of more than a hundred fishing boats. They captured 25 of the fishing boats. Eleven fishermen from
Patharghata of Barguna district were injured as approximately 30 armed pirates attacked them at Fairway Point, 43
nm southwest of Patharghata. The pirates also took fish and navigation equipment. (www.dhakatribune.com)
5. (U) INDONESIA: During the week of 26 October, a Germany-flagged sailing yacht, FARAWAY, was reportedly
hijacked in the Lombok Strait near Bali Island. Two German citizens were onboard; no ransom demand has been
made. (www.newsmaritime.com)
6. (U) MALAYSIA: On 24 October, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained two vessels over
the alleged illegal transfer of fuel off Pengerang, Malaysia. According to an MMEA official, the agency arrested
Singapore-registered CHELSEA II and China-registered LU RONG YUAN YU 978, about 2.2 nm southeast of
Tanjung Ayam. At the time of the arrest, CHELSEA II was transferring about 45,500 tons of marine gas oil to LU
RONG YUAN YU 978. (www.ihsmaritime360.com)

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7. (U) INDONESIA: On 22 October, three robbers armed with long knives boarded an underway bulk carrier near
position 01:06 N - 103:32 E, 7.5 nm east-northeast of Pulau Karimun Besar. Duty oiler sighted the robbers in the
engine rooms storeroom and immediately informed the bridge. The ships master raised the alarm followed by a
ships loudspeaker announcement. Upon hearing the alarm and seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped with
stolen ships stores. An Indonesian naval vessel approached the bulk carrier to render assistance. Upon arrival in
Singapore, a Coast Guard crew boarded for investigation. (IMB)
8. (U) VIETNAM: On 22 October, a duty crewman on anti-piracy and robbery watch onboard an anchored bulk
carrier noticed six robbers climbing onto the forecastle using a rope attached to a hook, near position 20:41 N 107:13 E, Cai Lan Anchorage. He notified the duty officer who raised the alarm and mustered the crew.
Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped. A search was carried out and nothing found stolen. Port authority
and local agent informed. (IMB)
9. (U) VIETNAM: On 18 October, duty crewman on routine rounds onboard an anchored tanker noticed two robbers
on the poop deck near position 10:06 N - 107:06 E, Mui Vung Tau Anchorage. He shouted at the robbers and
retreated to a safe location and raised the alarm. Crew was mustered and approached the robbers. Seeing the alert
crew, the robbers escaped. A search was carried out and nothing found stolen. Vung Tau port control informed.
(IMB)
10. (U) INDONESIA: On 15 October, four robbers boarded an underway cargo ship near position 01:07 N - 103:31
E, 6.3 nm east of Pulau Karimun Kecil. The third engineer saw the robbers armed with long knives opening the aft
door to the engine room workshop. The third engineer and junior engineer were taken hostage and their hands tied
up. The robbers stole their personal belongings and spare parts and escaped. The junior engineer managed to free
himself and raised the alarm. (IMB)
11. (U) INDONESIA: On 15 October, six robbers in a small boat boarded an underway tanker near position 01:10 N
- 103:26 E, 2.85 nm northeast of Pulau Karimun Kecil. Two of the robbers entered the engine room and were
spotted by the second engineer. One of the robbers threatened the second engineer with a long knife and signaled
him to be quiet or he would cut his throat. The second engineer escaped and raised the alarm. Hearing the alarm
and seeing the crews alertness, the robbers escaped. Nothing was reported stolen. VTIS Singapore informed.
Authorities boarded the tanker for investigation. (IMB)
12. (U) INDONESIA: On 15 October, a duty crewman onboard an underway bulk carrier noticed a speed boat
approaching the ship near position 01:07 N - 103:30 E: 6 nm east of Pulau Karimun Kecil. Alarm was raised, crew
was mustered and a search light directed towards the speedboat. Seeing the crews alertness, the robbers aborted
and moved away. (IMB)
13. (U) MALAYSIA: On 15 October, six robbers boarded the Panama-flagged tanker ALMI SPIRIT in the Kukup
Anchorage area of Johor Province. Forces from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency responded to the
boarding and are investigating. (www.news.odin.tc)
14. (U) BANGLADESH: On 12 October, a group of fishermen came under attack from pirates in the Kuakata Bay
region of Patuakhali. According to the Alipur Trawler Owners Association, three fishing boats came under attack
from the pirates. They shot and injured six of the fishermen and kidnapped two of them. (www.uttaranews24.com)
15. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 10 October, seven robbers boarded MV CECILIA near 05:20 N - 125:31 E, 4.5 nm
southeast of Olanivan Island. Two speed boats with seven persons armed with guns approached the vessel.
Suspecting a boarding attempt, the master instructed the crew to close and lock all access to the vessels
accommodation area. The armed robbers boarded the vessel, but departed when they could not enter the ship. The
master raised the alarm, informed the local authorities and notified the owners. A coast guard vessel was
dispatched to investigate. (IMB, www.sunstar.com.ph)
16. (U) MALAYSIA: On 6 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored product tanker during
hours of darkness near position 05:49 N - 118:09 E, Sandakan Anchorage, Sabah. The robbers forced their way
into the bosun store room, stole spare parts, and escaped. The theft was noticed by the duty crew during routine
rounds. The incident was reported to Port Authorities. (IMB)

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17. (U) INDONESIA: On 5 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored general cargo ship near
position 06:01 S - 106:53 E, Tanjung Priok Anchorage. They entered into the engine room workshop, stole ships
properties and escaped. The theft was noticed by the duty crew during routine rounds. (IMB)
18. (U) INDONESIA: On 5 October, a fishing boat saw five intruders boarding an anchored product tanker near
position 03:56 N - 098:49 E, Belawan Anchorage, and notified the tanker. Alarm was raised, fog horn sounded and
crew was mustered. The robbers threatened the approaching crewmen with long knives and escaped emptyhanded. (IMB)
J. (U) NORTH - EAST ASIA: No current incidents to report.
K. (U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN:

Figure 3. Pacific Ocean - Southern Ocean

Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) FRENCH POLYNESIA: On 16 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored sailing yacht
in Maharepa, Moorea. The robbers broke into several spaces on the yacht, stealing personal electronics,
navigational equipment and other items. (www.noonsite)

5. (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.

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(U) Other Resources
(U) This Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report is posted at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agencys 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.

6. (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
(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) Firing 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 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)
Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), Denmark
BBC News
EU Naval Forces (EU)
Fairplay (FP), London
Informa Group (INFO), formerly LLP, Llp Limited, London
International Maritime Bureau (IMB), London and Kuala Lumpur
International Maritime Organization (IMO), London
gCaptain
Latitude38.com (LAT) website
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Lloyd's List (LL), daily, London

Local Media (LM)
LSS-SAPU.com (LSS)
Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S.
The Maritime Executive (website)
Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA)
Maritime Security Council (MSC), U.S.
Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre - Gulf of Guinea (MTISC-GoG)
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Navigation Safety System
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Brussels
Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) (analysis and comment)
Operator (owner or operator of affected vessel)
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)
Seafarers Assistance Program (SAP), Kenya
Tradewinds (TW)
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO)
United Press International (UPI)
U.S. Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) Bahrain
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

(U) ICOD: 4 November 2015

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