The Office of Naval Intelligence has issued its Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly (PAWW) Report for 7 -13 April 2016. According to the report, all shipping entities operating inthe Gulf of Guinea region have to maintain vigilance in light of the on-going piracy threat.
Refering to a recent activity, a tanker hijacked within the past week off the coast of Ivory Coast, pirates may be actively seeking to hijack another vessel, potentially in the near-term. The region at-large remains at-risk to piracy although this advisory is intended to put special emphasis for ships within 100 nautical miles of Tema, Ghana,Lome, Togo,and Contonou, Benin.
1. Horn of Africa – Piracy Events Over The Past Week
Pirate and maritime crime activity in East African waters is at a low level. One shooting incident aboard a fishing ship was reported during the past week.
Details:
- Vessels Hijacked: No incidents to report.
- Vessels Boarded: No incidents to report.
- Vessels Fired Upon/Attempted Boardings: No incidents to report.
- Other Activity: SEYCHELLES: On 8 April, an armed security guard onboard Spain-flagged tuna fishing vessel TXORI GORRI shot and killed another guard and shortly afterward shot himself. The ship returned to Victoria on 9 April.
2. Gulf of Guinea – Piracy Events Over The Past Week
Pirate and maritime crime activity in West African waters is at a medium level. There were two kidnapping events, two attempted boardings, and an attack reported during this one-week period.
Details:
- Vessels Hijacked: No incidents to report.
- Kidnapping:
1.NIGERIA: On 11 April, eight pirates armed with rifles in a speed boat boarded the chemical tanker PULI .No injuries to remaining crew.
2.NIGERIA: On 11 April, pirates boarded the container ship CMA CGM TURQUOISE. Two crewmen were reported kidnapped. The Nigerian Navy boarded the vessel for investigations. All other crew is safe.
- Vessels Boarded: No incidents to report.
1. NIGERIA: On 10 April, seven pirates in a skiff approached a drifting tanker. Upon realizing that the security boats were approaching, the pirates aborted the attempted attack and moved away.
2. NIGERIA: On 7 April, seven pirates in a wooden speed boat, armed with automatic weapons approached a drifting tanker.The tanker immediately proceeded towards the terminal and the terminal’s security boat escorted the tanker.
- 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 rovides info on piracy threats to, and criminal action against, merchant vessels worldwide during the period 15 March – 13 April 2016.
- NIGERIA: On 11 April, eight pirates armed with rifles in a speed boat boarded the chemical tanker PULI 118 nm south-southwest of Port Harcourt, and kidnapped six crewmen.
- NIGERIA: On 11 April, pirates boarded the container ship CMA CGM TURQUOISE 30 nm southwest of the Bayelsa coast, kidnapping 2 crewmen.
- NIGERIA: On 10 April, seven pirates in a skiff attempted to board a drifting tanker 74 nm southwest of Brass.
- NIGERIA: On 7 April, seven pirates in a wooden speed boat, armed with automatic weapons attempted to board a drifting tanker 78 nm southwest of Brass.
- SEYCHELLES: On 8 April, an armed security guard onboard Spain-flagged tuna fishing vessel TXORI GORRI shot and killed another guard and shortly afterward shot himself.
Further details may be found by reading ONI WTS Report:
Sources: ONI
