A total of 35 seafarers were kidnapped for ransom in the Gulf of Guinea in the first half of 2018, according to a new paper issued by EOS Risk Group. 95% of attacks on merchant vessels in the region during this period occurred Between Brass and Port Harcourt, within 60nm of the shore, the report reads.
The Ghana Maritime Authority has called for a national document to step up maritime security activities in the country. The call came when National members of the joint Maritime Security committee visited stakeholder agencies to ask for interagency views at creating a national maritime framework to protect the Ghanaian waters.
In its weekly report for 17-23 July, ReCAAP ISC informs of one incident of armed robbery against a ship, reported by Focal Point (Japan) and Contact Point (Hong Kong). The incident took place in the early morning hours of 4 July in Chittagong and involved the Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier ‘Medi Firenze’.
As piracy increases in the world’s oceans, maritime safety requires a collaborative effort to ensure safety of lives and protection of property at sea. Under this, the Ghana Maritime Authority organized a 4-Day Crisis Response Training for security experts and players in the maritime sector, from 9 to 12 of July.
In its weekly piracy report for 10-16 July 2018, ReCAAP ISC informed of three incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia, involving the LNG tanker ‘Innovator’ at Delta Anchorage, Philippines, the tug boat ‘Bintang Ocean 3’ at the Singapore Strait and the tanker ‘Maersk Cancun’ in East Malaysia.
ReCAAP ISC reported 40 incidents from January to June 2018. This is the lowest number of incidents since 10 years for the same period. It also marks a 15% year-on-year decrease. The report analyzes the main characteristics of incidents on board ships in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
In order to limit maritime crime on the Gulf of Guinea waters, and especially piracy and sea robbery, the Nigerian Navy along with France, China, Portugal, Cameroon, Ghana and Togo conducted a maritime exercise named Exercise EKU KEGBE, of which 12 Nigerian Navy ships and ships from the other countries were deployed.
While at anchor, the duty AB during routine rounds noticed a rope attached to the portside anchor chain leading to a boat positioned along the starboard side of the ship. The duty AB sighted six to seven persons on board this boat, and immediately alerted the bridge.
In its latest weekly piracy report, ReCAAP ISC informed of two incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia. The first involved the bulk carrier ‘Captain Vangelis L’, while anchored at Muara Berau, Indonesia, and the second the tugboat ‘Sung Fatt 31’, while sailing off Tanjung Piai, Malaysia.
Shipping industry has welcomed the announcement of the BMP 5, now available for use to all those intend to transit from HOA and adjacent sea areas. But, how aware are ship operators about the updates in comparison to BMP4? Here is a quick guide on what changes in the new version of BMP.
