The Office of Naval Intelligence has issued its Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly Report for 29 September – 5 October 2016. According to the report, pirate and maritime crime activity in African waters is at a low level. In West Africa waters, there was one attack against oil infrastructure this week and late reporting of an attack on a military unit from the previous week.
Horn of Africa – Piracy Events Over The Past Week
Pirate and maritime crime activity in East Africa waters is at a low level. There were no reported suspicious
incidents during the past week.
- Vessels Hijacked: No incidents to report.
- Vessels Boarded: No incidents to report.
- Vessels Fired Upon/Attempted Boardings: No incidents to report.
- Other Activity: No incidents to report.
Gulf of Guinea – Piracy Events Over The Past Week
Pirate and maritime crime activity in West Africa waters is at a low level. There was one attack against oil
infrastructure this week and late reporting of an attack on a military unit from the previous week.
- Vessels Hijacked: No incidents to report.
- Kidnapping: No incidents to report.
- Vessels Boarded: No incidents to report.
- Vessels Fired Upon/Attempted Boarding/Attack:
1. (U) NIGERIA: On 29 September, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate said it bombed the Unenurhie-Evwreni oil delivery pipeline in Ughelli, Delta state.
2. (U) NIGERIA: On 24 September, suspected militants killed 1 soldier in the Cross River State. The militants were said to have arrived at the Efut Esighi Waterfront in speedboats. It is alleged that the attack was led by wanted criminal kingpin Benjamin Simplee (AKA G1), leader of the Bakassi Strike Force. - Other Activity: No incidents to report
Further details may be found by reading ONI PAWW Report:
Also read ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) report which provides info on piracy threats to, and criminal action against, merchant vessels worldwide in the last 30 days (period 6 September – 5 October 2016 )
- BANGLADESH: On 4 October, pirates kidnapped 12 fishermen from two fishing trawlers located on the Meghna River in Noakhali.
- YEMEN: On 3 October an underway chemical tanker in the southern Red Sea reported a suspicious skiff.
- INDONESIA: On 2 October, three robbers in a wooden boat boarded an anchored bulk carrier in Panjang Anchorage.
- YEMEN: On 1 October, a civilian logistics ship was attacked near the Bab el Mandab Strait off Yemen’s southern coast.
- BANGLADESH: On 1 October, pirates of Alauddin Bahini opened fire at a vessel on the Meghna River, killing 1 and injuring 6.
- NIGERIA: On 29 September, militants claimed to have bombed the Unenurhie-Evwreni oil delivery pipeline in Ughelli, Delta State.
- INDONESIA: On 25 September, three robbers armed with long knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier in Cilacap Anchorage.
- NIGERIA: On 24 September, suspected militants killed 1 soldier in the Cross River State.
- HAITI: On 2 September, two robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier in Port au Prince Anchorage.
NGA has warned Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and Gulf of Aden Commercial vessels in the region of the Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden should operate under a heightened state of alert as increasing tensions in the region escalate the potential for direct or collateral damage to vessels transiting the region.
These threats may come from a variety of different sources such as missiles, projectiles or waterborne improvised explosive devices. Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for an 01 October attack on a UAE vessel. Vessels in the region should report hostile activities immediately and contact coalition naval forces via VHF bridge to bridge radio.
Further details may be found by reading ONI WTS Report:
Source & Image credit: ONI