As of 26 October 2018, USCG has imposed conditions of entry on vessels that arrive in the country after visiting certain ports in Iraq as one of their last five ports of call. USCG has determined that only three Iraqi port facilities are currently maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures: The Al-Basrah Oil Terminal, the Khor Al Amaya Oil Terminal and Al Maqal Terminal 14.
According to the ReCAAP ISC, there are information that a group of approximately 10 Abu Sayyaf Group members armed with pistol, rifles and grenade launcher is planning to carry out kidnapping activities in Sabah. These activities are mainly targeting businessmen or ship’s crew of foreign vessels.
According to the US Maritime Administration, GPS interference has been reported near Jeddah Port, Saudi Arabia, near the position 21-29N, 039-09E on October 15th and 18th, 2018. These incidents have not been confirmed, but according to MARAD, this interference is resulting in either inaccurate positions or no position.
Category 5 Super Typhoon Yutu has now pushed west of the islands of Saipan and Tinian in the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Yutu may eventually arrive in the Philippines, Taiwan or southern Japan next week, according to the US National Weather Service.
Container ships and ferries coming from foreign ports to East Port Said will enjoy a discount at tariffs for a period of one year. A 30% discount on port, docking and guiding fees will apply for vessels carrying less than 80,000 tonnes while those carrying more than that will receive a 40% discount.
The US Coast Guard National Maritime Center issued a notice to announce that, in accordance with Federal Regulations, duplicate Merchant Mariner Credentials may be issued free of charge to mariners whose credentials were lost or destroyed as a result of Hurricane Michael or subsequent flooding.
Citing information from Argentinian P&I correspondents, Pandi Liquidadores S.R.L., the Swedish Club informed of new forms issued by the local custom authorities aimed at providing more certainty as to what items need to be declared upon arrival.
A merchant vessel was attacked by pirates while sailing in the Gulf of Aden on 16 October, according to UKMTO. The attackers fired shots against the vessel, but the armed guards onboard returned the shots. The attackers abandoned their plan to board the ship and escaped on their skiff.
In its latest Yemen ports update, the Swedish Club informed that Huthi militia is holding 10 oil and commercial vessels in the port of Hodeidah, preventing them from unloading their cargo, while some ships have been detained for nearly 6 months, according to the head of the Higher Relief Committee.
Tropical storm Michael has turned into a hurricane, and it is expected to strengthen as it heads north past Cuba towards the Florida Panhandle. According to the US National Hurricane Center, the hurricane will make landfall on the Gulf Coast on Wednesday, October 10.
