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OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report
10 May - 8 June 2016
9 June 2016

(U) Table of Contents

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

(U) Scope Note

(U) Summary
(U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories
(U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region
(U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources
(U) Appendix B: Terminology and References

1. (U) Scope Note

(U) The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides info on piracy threats to, and criminal action
against, merchant vessels and the shipping industry worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily
to inform merchant mariners and naval forces.

2. (U) Summary
A. (U) NIGERIA: On 8 June, suspected militants from the Niger Delta Avengers group conducted an attack against
an oil well RMP 20 in the Warri area of Delta State.
B. (U) BENIN: On 6 June, an oil tanker underway approximately 60 nm south of Cotonou, reported that a mothership and a skiff chased them.
C. (U) NIGERIA: On 3 June, suspected militants from the Niger Delta Avengers group conducted an attack against
a Shell Petroleum oil export line in Bayelsa State.
D. (U) NIGERIA: On 3 June, suspected militants from the Niger Delta Avengers group conducted an attack against
the Brass to Tebidaba Crude Oil Pipeline in Bayelsa State.
E. (U) NIGERIA: On 2 June, suspected militants from the Niger Delta Avengers group conducted an attack against
two pipelines in the Clough Creek area of Bayelsa State.
F. (U) MALAYSIA: On 2 June, the tug EVER PROSPER, towing the barge EVER DIGNITY, was hijacked near
Mukah, Sarawak, East Malaysia.
G. (U) NIGERIA: On 1 June, suspected militants attacked a barracks boat belonging to the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation.
H. (U) NIGERIA: On 1 June, four Nigerian citizens were arrested by Nigerian authorities after the four tried to
stowaway onboard a Malaysia-bound cargo vessel.

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I. (U) SOUTH AFRICA: On 23 May, an unauthorized person disguised as a bunker crew boarded a berthed tanker
in Island View Berth No.9, Durban Port.
J. (U) VIETNAM: On 19 May, Vietnamese authorities arrested the cargo ship KIM MINH 04 near Ho Chi Minh City
on suspicion of fuel smuggling.
K. (U) INDIA: On 14 May, an unknown number of robbers boarded a berthed LPG tanker in Berth Iffco-5, Kandla
Port.

3. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for June 2016. To apply for JMSDF
escort, visit http://www.mlit.go.jp/en/maritime/maritime_fr2_000000.html, please contact directly the Anti-Piracy
Contact and Coordination Office, Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MILT),
Japan: Tel: +81-3-5253-8932; Fax: +81-3-5253-1643. Email: INFO-PIRACY@mlit.go.jp. (MSCHOA)
B. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Korean Navy convoy schedule for June 2016. All merchant vessels wishing to join the
convoy group must submit their application forms directly to the ROK naval warship carrying out the mission. The
ROK MTG can be reached directly at INMARSAT: 1-203-346-7633. Email: pheonixguardian@navy.mil.kr.
(MSCHOA)
C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for June 2016. For further information, please e-mail
planavy@navy.mil.cn, or call Tel: 00870 773 120 044; or 441 221 061. (MSCHOA)
D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for June 2016. To register, email
dgcommcentre-dgs@nic.in; or visit www.dgshipping.com. Telephone numbers for contact are: 91-2222614646 or fax at 91-22-22613636. (MSCHOA)
E. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Russian Navy convoy escort schedule for June 2016. For further information e-mail
smb@msecurity.ru; isps@msecurity.ru; or fax +7 (499) 642-83-29. (MSCHOA)

4. (U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region

(U) This section lists reports of active violence against shipping, credible threats to shipping, or the potential for a
situation to develop into a direct threat to shipping over the last 30 days. Every effort is made to ensure that
incidents are not double-counted. In the event double-counting is detected, or an incident is later learned to be
different than initially reported, an explanation of the cancellation of the inaccurate report will be made in at least
one message prior to dropping the erroneous report.
A. (U) NORTH AMERICA:
1. (U) USA: On 31 May, the general cargo ship LIZANNE was boarded and inspected by US Customs and Border
Protection officials after receiving a tip of possible involvement in drug smuggling activity. The vessel had recently
arrived in Miami from Miragoane, Haiti. During the course of the search, authorities found 900 kilograms of cocaine,
packed in bricks, hidden in several secret compartments. Crew was arrested and the investigation continues.
(www.fleetmon.com)
B.

(U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:

1. (U) GUYANA: On 28 May, Guyana police arrested five people allegedly involved in a pirate attack that left one
man dead and three others missing at sea. They said the four crew members were aboard a boat in Surinamese
waters when the pirates attacked, taking away two 48 hp outboard motor engines, tied up the four crew members
and threw three crewmembers overboard. The area was searched but neither the vessel nor the other three crew
members have been located. The authorities said that the attack occurred in the Lower Shell Area, near Nickerie in
northern Suriname. (Jamaica Observer; www.ynetnews.com)

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2. (U) SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES: On 25 May, a UK-flagged yacht was boarded by two masked
men, one with a gun, while anchored in Tobago Cays. The intruders demanded money and hit the Captain several
times on the head with the yachts heavy flash light; while his wife was held with an arm around her neck and a gun
pointed to her head. The intruders took cash from the Captains wallet along with several cell phones and escaped.
The Captain suffered several head and facial injuries, two fractured ribs and some bruising, and was attended by a
doctor in the anchorage immediately after the event. His wife was unhurt. The SVG Coast Guard, contacted by a
neighboring yacht, arrived quickly. Three suspects are currently charged with multiple offenses and are in police
custody in Kingstown. (www.noonsite.com)
3. (U) GUATEMALA: On 25 May, a sailing yacht was boarded at night in a marina area of Rio Dulce. The thieves
stole an outboard motor from a dinghy that was chained to the yacht. (www.noonsite.com)
4. (U) VENEZUELA: On 24 May, Venezuelan Coast Guard officers arrested the tanker HYPERION at Bachaquero.
The ship was alleged to have been carrying 30 more tons of oil than listed on the manifest. (www.fleetmon.com)
5. (U) PANAMA: On 12 May, three robbers boarded a sailing yacht anchored one mile up from the mouth of Rio
Chagres. They managed to kick a door open to gain access and then ransacked the boat, stealing personal
valuables and cash. (www.noonsite.com)
C. (U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.
D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE - BALTIC: No current incidents to report.
E. (U) MEDITERRANEAN - BLACK SEA: No current incidents to report.

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F.

(U) WEST AFRICA:

Figure 1. West Africa Piracy and Maritime Crime

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Figure 2. West Africa Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) NIGERIA: On 8 June, suspected militants from the Niger Delta Avengers group conducted an attack against
oil well RMP 20, near the Dibbi flow station in the Warri area of Delta State. (AFP; The Guardian Online)
2. (U) BENIN: On 6 June, an oil tanker underway near position 05:22 N - 002:24 E, approximately 60 nm south of
Cotonou, reported that a mother ship and a skiff chased them. The mothership, with an additional skiff on deck,
was reportedly 60 meters long with a grey hull. The tanker used extensive maneuvering, water cannon and foghorn
blasts; the skiff reportedly quit the chase after 20 minutes. (MTISC-GOG)
3. (U) NIGERIA: On 3 June, suspected militants from the Niger Delta Avengers group conducted an attack against
the Shell Petroleum Development Company's Forcados 48 inch Export line, used to move crude oil from Ogboinbiri
to Tebidaba and from Clough Creek to Tebidaba. The two pipelines are located in Bayelsa State. (The Guardian
Online)
4. (U) NIGERIA: On 3 June, suspected militants from the Niger Delta Avengers group conducted an attack against
the Brass to Tebidaba Crude Oil Pipeline in Bayelsa State. (www.sweetcrudereports.com)
5. (U) NIGERIA: On 2 June, suspected militants from the Niger Delta Avengers group conducted an attack against
the Ogboinbiri to Tebidaba and Clough Creek to Tebidaba Crude Oil Pipelines in Bayelsa State.
(www.sweetcrudereports.com)
6. (U) NIGERIA: On 1 June, suspected militants attacked a barracks boat belonging to the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation. Six persons, two soldiers and four civilian staff were killed in the incident; which took place
in the Efe-Ugbokodo area in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. (Reuters;
www.informationng.com)
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7. (U) NIGERIA: On 1 June, four Nigerian citizens were arrested by Nigerian authorities after the four tried to
stowaway onboard a Malaysia-bound cargo vessel. (All Africa Global Media)
8. (U) NIGERIA: On 28 May, Nigerian militants attacked an oil pipeline near Tebidaba-Brass. Damage to the
pipeline is still being assessed. (www.allAfrica.com)
9. (U) NIGERIA: On 28 May, Nigerian militants attacked an oil pipeline near Nembe. Damage to the pipeline is still
being assessed. (www.allAfrica.com)
10. (U) TOGO: On 11 May, seven robbers in a wooden boat approached an anchored product tanker, with one
robber getting aboard the tanker near position 06:05 N - 001:15 E, Lome Anchorage. Alert crew noticed the robbers
and informed the duty officer who in turn raised the alarm and mustered the crew. Upon hearing the alarm and
seeing the crews alertness, the robber escaped empty-handed with his accomplices. Togo Navy informed. (IMB)
G.

(U) ARABIAN GULF: No current incidents to report.

H.

(U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA:

Figure 3. East Africa - Indian Ocean

Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) SOUTH AFRICA: On 23 May, an unauthorized person disguised as a bunker crew boarded a berthed tanker
while ships crew were busy with bunkering operations, near position 29:52 S - 031:02 E, Island View Berth No.9,
Durban Port. He entered the accommodation area and stole several crew members cash and property and
escaped. Incident reported to port control. (IMB)
2. (U) MAURITIUS: On 29 May, the Taiwan-flagged fishing ship HSIN CHUN No. 16 was boarded by Coast Guard
personnel and impounded after it left port and tried to flee the country after being ordered to be seized by a
court order. Authorities caught up with the vessel 20 miles from the coast and boarded the vessel and arrested the
Master. (www.fleetmon.com)
3. (U) AUSTRALIA: On 27 May, Australian authorities arrested 14 people and impounded a ship on suspicion of
drug smuggling. A search of the vessel, approximately 100 nm off the western coast of the country, led to the
discovery of 200 kilograms of methamphetamine. (www.channelnewsasia.com; Reuters)
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4. (U) YEMEN: On 16 May, five skiffs made a suspicious approach on an underway container ship near position
14:45 N - 050:58 E, near Al Mukalla. Ships Master raised the alarm, increased speed and mustered the crew. As
the skiffs closed to 0.5 nm, a ladder was noticed in one approaching skiff. Armed security team onboard the vessel
fired warning shots. Master contacted the authorities and a nearby Japanese warship dispatched its helicopter,
which resulted in the skiffs aborting and moving away. (IMB)
I.

(U) EAST ASIA - SOUTHEAST ASIA - INDIAN SUBCONTINENT:

Figure 4. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian Subcontinent

Piracy and Maritime Crime

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Figure 5. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian

Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) MALAYSIA: On 2 June, the tug EVER PROSPER, towing the barge EVER DIGNITY, was hijacked near
Mukah, Sarawak, East Malaysia. Reportedly, another tug and barge pulled alongside, hijacked the tug and
siphoned approximately 3,000 liters of the cargo, crude palm kernel oil, then departed. The crew of the EVER
PROSPER is safe, with one crewman receiving a minor injury after being punched in the face by a hijacker.
(ReCAAP)
2. (U) VIETNAM: On 19 May, Vietnamese authorities arrested the cargo ship KIM MINH 04 near Ho Chi Minh City
on suspicion of fuel smuggling. The ship was reportedly carrying 2.1 million liters of fuel without the required
paperwork. (Viet Nam News)
3. (U) INDIA: On 14 May, an unknown number of robbers boarded a berthed LPG tanker near position 23:02 N 070:1 3 E, Berth Iffco-5, Kandla Port, stole ships properties and escaped. The incident was discovered later by the
crew during routine rounds. (IMB)
4. (U) BANGLADESH: On 26 May, twelve robbers in several speedboats attacked a group of fishermen near
Jongra in the Morapashu River area in the Sundarbans East Zone. The robbers beat up the fishermen and looted
valuables, including nets and fish, from the trawlers. The robbers then kidnapped 25 fishermen with the trawler and
demanded a large ransom for their release. (www.theindependentbd.com)
5. (U) INDONESIA: On 21 May, six robbers in a skiff approached and came alongside an anchored tug near
position 01:10 N - 103:58 E, Batam Anchorage. Four robbers wearing ski masks managed to board the vessel.
Duty watchman noticed the robbers and informed the duty officer on the bridge who raised the alarm and mustered
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the crew. Upon hearing the alarm and seeing the crews alertness, the robbers escaped. Nothing reported stolen.
(IMB)
6. (U) INDONESIA: On 20 May, an Indonesian Navy patrol boat on a routine patrol inspected a small cargo vessel
near Nongsa, Batam. Eight tons of smuggled onions, garlic, and other produce, along with a freezer, were found
during the search. (www.cnews.id)
7. (U) INDONESIA: On 19 May, four robbers in a small craft boarded an anchored general cargo ship, near
position 01:11 N - 103:57 E, Batam Anchorage, stole ships properties and escaped. (IMB)
8. (U) MALAYSIA: On 18 May, the Pahang Customs Department seized 73,976 bottles of liquor which were
about to be smuggled into the country through Kuantan Port. A search of several containers, with cargo
listed on the manifest as granular sulfur, led to the discovery of the contraband. (www.bernama.com.my)
9. (U) INDONESIA: On 18 May, a robber boarded an anchored bulk carrier unnoticed near position 00:14 S 117:34 E, Samarinda Anchorage. The robber was able to steal ships properties and escape unseen. The incident
was noticed later by the crew during routine rounds. (IMB)
10. (U) BANGLADESH: On 15 May, seven robbers in a small boat came alongside and attempted to board an
anchored container ship near position 22:06 N - 091:45 E, Chittagong C Anchorage. Alert crew noticed the
robbers and informed the duty officer who in turn raised the alarm, sounded ships whistle and mustered the crew.
Upon hearing the alarm and seeing the crews alertness, the robbers aborted the attempted boarding and escaped.
(IMB)
11. (U) INDIA: On 14 May, an unknown number of robbers boarded an LPG tanker, berthed near position 23:01 N
- 070:13 E, Berth IFFCO-5, Kandla Port, and stole ships properties and escaped. The incident was noticed later by
the crew during routine rounds. (IMB)
12. (U) MALAYSIA: On 11 May, Malaysian authorities detained a ship believed to be smuggling almost 7,000 liters
of stolen diesel fuel near Semerak Canal. Fourteen crewmembers were arrested and are being held while the
investigation continues. A search of the vessel also turned up a large amount of fresh squid being smuggled to
another country for sale at a large profit. (www.bernama.com.my)
J.

(U) NORTHEAST ASIA: No current incidents to report.

K.

(U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN: No current incidents to report.

5. (U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources

(U) This appendix provides contact information for the author of the WTS as well as other entities that can be
contacted with maritime crime reports. It also lists other resources where the WTS is posted and where piracy and
maritime crime incident information can be found.
(U) Contact
(U) Originator of this WTS report requests consumer feedback. Originator will incorporate all anti-shipping events
and violence against the maritime industry into this weekly message where appropriate. To aid in our reporting,
please add the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) to your normal corporate and organizational reporting
requirements. The 24-hour watch can be reached at +1 (301) 669-4053.
(U) Other Resources
(U) This Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report is posted at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agencys Maritime
Safety site: http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) also publishes a live
piracy report based on reporting from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, listing all piracy
and armed robbery incidents in the last ten days: http://www.icc-ccs.org/. The PAWW and WTS Reports are posted
weekly on the ONI Intel Portal: http://www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence_Community/piracy.htm.

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6. (U) Appendix B: Terminology and References

(U) This appendix is provided to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference in reporting and also
identifies those references that were used to gather the information contained in this report. ONI welcomes
comment and suggestions for addition or amendment.
(U) Terminology
(U) In order to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference, the following have been adopted to describe
the range of criminal anti-shipping activity and impediments to safe navigation in our worldwide reporting and
analysis. Please note that these terms relate to observable activity and are independent of target vessel status and
exclude actions by governmental powers in lawful pursuit of their authorities:

(U) Attempted Boarding Close approach or hull-to-hull contact with report that boarding paraphernalia were
employed or visible in the approaching boat.

(U) Blocking Hampering safe navigation, docking, or undocking of a vessel as a means of protest.

(U) Boarding Unauthorized boarding of a vessel by persons not part of its complement without successfully
taking control of the vessel.

(U) Firing Upon Weapons discharged at or toward a vessel.

(U) Hijacking Unauthorized seizure and retention of a vessel by persons not part of its complement.

(U) Kidnapping Unauthorized forcible removal of persons belonging to the vessel from it.

(U) Robbery Theft from a vessel or from persons aboard the vessel.

(U) Suspicious Approach All other unexplained close proximity of an unknown vessel.

(U) Sourcing
(U) ONI derives information in this report from direct reporting and analysis of reports from the following agencies
and commercial sources.

Agence France Presse (AFP)

Associated Press (AP)
Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), Denmark
BBC News
EU Naval Forces (EU)
Fairplay (FP), London
Informa Group (INFO), formerly LLP, Llp Limited, London
International Maritime Bureau (IMB), London and Kuala Lumpur
International Maritime Organization (IMO), London
gCaptain
Latitude38.com (LAT) website
Lloyd's List (LL), daily, London
Local Media (LM)
LSS-SAPU.com (LSS)
Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S.
The Maritime Executive (website)
Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA)
Maritime Security Council (MSC), U.S.
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Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre - Gulf of Guinea (MTISC-GoG)

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Navigation Safety System
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Brussels
Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) (analysis and comment)
Operator (owner or operator of affected vessel)
Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia,
Information Sharing Center (ReCAAP ISC)
Reuters
Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN)
Seafarers Assistance Program (SAP), Kenya
Tradewinds (TW)
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO)
United Press International (UPI)
U.S. Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) Bahrain
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

(U) ICOD: 8 June 2016

(U) The PAWW and WTS Reports are posted each week on the ONI Intel Portal and can be found at:
http://www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence-Community/Piracy

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