5-12 May 2011
During the reporting period (5-12 May 2011) there have been five attacks, three approaches and one suspicious incident in total. None of these events resulted in the seizure of a vessel.
The location of the suspicious activity near to the coast of Iran could be assessed as an act of maritime crime committed by local copy cats. All activities in this period occurred in the Arabian Sea between 10 and 25N, 55 and 70E.
Actions by coalition warships along the Somali coast focused on identified staging areas used by the pirates resulted in the disruption of three Pirate Attack Groups (PAG). FV JIH CHUN TSAI 68, and JELBUT 24 have been retaken from the pirates. FV PRANTALY 12, although still in pirate possession, is no longer in a seaworthy state and, according to a pirate statement, will be returned without ransom payment in due course.
Despite coalition force activities, there are clear indications that the pirates are preparing to increase their activity and trying to penetrate the warship barrier. One vessel, Jelbut 33, although repeatedly relocated by patrol aircraft, managed to pass the warships undetected and is now operating in the area 20 to 25N and 60 to 65E.Based on recent reporting in the Arabian Sea it is assessed that, apart from JELBUT 33, another dhow PAG is operating to the north.
Despite the previous assessment that the suspicious activity in the Strait of Hormuz may very well be an act of maritime crime, it cannot be dismissed that an unknown FV PAG is active in that area.
Gulf of Aden/Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC)
Although no pirate activities have been witnessed in central GOA during the last week, we continue to assess that the IRTC continues to be a high threat area. The judgment that pirate skiffs may blend into the local traffic and commence an attack at any time without any warning remains valid.
Arabian Sea/Greater Somali Basin
The activities shown during the last week and the relocation of JELBUT 33 in the Arabian Sea is clear indication that the operational focus of the pirates has shifted north, not only driven by the overwhelming presence of warships in their staging areas, but also with the deteriorating weather conditions in the Somali Basin.
Source: NATO Shipping Centre
