The monsoon has not affected the possibility of small boat operations in the GoA
Gulf of Aden/Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC)
The monsoon has not affected the possibility of small boat operations in the GoA although pirate activity has been low this last week. A further improvement in weather during the next few days is forecast, and skiffs blending in with the local traffic to conduct piracy can be expected at any time with little or no warning.
Arabian Sea/Greater Somali Basin
Over the past week the northeast monsoon hampered pirate activity in both the Arabian Sea and the Greater Somali Basin. However, the improved forecast for the next days will allow the Somali pirates to exploit the opportunity both in the Somali Basin and especially in the Arabian Sea. The past week (21-27 January) saw one pirating (BELUGA NOMINATION) and one attempt (ZHEN HUA 26). Pirates continue to launch the majority of attacks from pirate-controlled local dhows, primarily Iranian-flagged, and pirated ships have also been used in the same area.
The number of pirated fishing vessels and dhows conducting piracy operations is assessed to be at least four dhow type mother ship pirate attack groups (or PAGs) underway in the western Arabian Sea. In addition, another 3-4 dhows have recently left the coast and are underway. 4 FV (JIH CHUN TSAI 68, GOLDEN WAVE and 2 PRANTALAYs) and ALY ZOULFECAR are all assessed as underway on mothership operations. ALY ZOULFECAR is possibly operating south towards her previous operating areas (Tanzanian coast and Mozambique Channel). JIH CHUN TSAI 68 and one PRANTALAY are assessed to be operating in the western Arabian Sea possibly northern Somalia Basin. FV GOLDEN WAVE (also known as GEUMMI 305) is assessed to be underway and, based on previous voyages, will likely remain in the Somali Basin south of 7 degrees north.
Source: NATO Shipping Center
