Piracy & Armed Robbery Prone Areas and Warnings

The Piracy & Armed Robbery Prone Areas and Warnings section below follows the definition of Piracy as laid down in Article 101 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Armed Robbery as laid down in Resolution A.1025 (26) adopted on 2 December 2009 at the 26th Assembly Session of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Mariners are warned to be cautious and to take necessary precautionary measures when transiting the following areas:

SOUTH EAST ASIA AND INDIAN SUB CONTINENT

Bangladesh: Robbers targeting ships preparing to anchor. Most attacks reported at Chittagong anchorages and approaches. Attacks in Bangladesh have fallen significantly over the past few years because of the efforts by the Bangladesh Authorities

Indonesia: Tanjung Priok – Jakarta / Dumai, Belawan, Taboneo, Muara Jawa waters. Pirates normally armed with guns / knives and / or machetes. Generally be vigilant in other areas. Many attacks may have gone unreported. Pirates/Robbers normally attack vessel during the night. When spotted and alarm sounded, pirates/robbers usually abort the attempted attack. Attacks in Dumai remain a concern.

Malacca Straits: Although the number of attacks has dropped substantially due to the increase and aggressive patrols by the littoral states authorities since July 2005, ships are advised to continue maintaining strict anti piracy watches when transiting the straits. Currently, there are no indications as to how long these patrols will continue or reduce.

Singapore Straits: Vessels are advised to remain vigilant and to continue maintaining adequate anti piracy watch and measures. Pirates/Robbers attack ships while underway or while anchored at the Straits.

South China Sea: Although, no attacks reported recently in the vicinity off Anambas / Natuna / Mangkai islands / Subi Besar / Merundung area, vessels are advised to remain vigilant.

AFRICA AND RED SEA.

Lagos (Nigeria): Pirates/Robbers are often violent and have attacked,  hijacked and robbed vessels / kidnapped crews along the coast, rivers, anchorages, ports and surrounding waters. Attacks reported up to 120nm from coast. In some incidents, pirates hijacked the vessels for several days and ransacked the vessels and stole part cargo usually gas oil. A number of crew members were injured in past attacks. Generally all waters in Nigeria remain risky. Vessels are advised to be vigilant as many attacks may have gone unreported. Attacks also reported at/off Port Harcourt and Conakry.

Cotonou (Benin): Although the number of attacks has dropped significantly, the area remains risky. Past attacks showed that the pirates/robbers in this area are well armed and are violent and in some incidents, pirates/robbers had fired at ships. Many tankers were reported attacked and hijacked. Pirates forced Masters to sail to unknown location where ship’s properties and sometimes part cargo stolen (gas oil). A number of crew members were also injured in the past. Recent patrols by Benin and Nigerian Authorities resulted in a drop in the number of attacks. However, vessels are advised to continue to be vigilant and maintain strict anti piracy watches and measures.

Lome ( Togo ): Attacks are increasing. Pirates in the area are well armed, violent and dangerous. Attacks can occur at anchorages and off the coast and usually at night. Some attacks resulted in the vessel being hijacked for several days where the vessel was ransacked and part cargo stolen (gas oil).

Abidjan (Ivory Coast): First hijacking occurred at Abidjan anchorage recently with pirates sailing the tanker to off Nigeria to off load part cargo and stealing crew's/tanker's valuables indicated that the gulf of guinea pirates that usually attacked vessels at Nigeria/Benin/Togo have spread to the ivory coast. The pirates may also target vessels at neighbouring Ghana.

Gulf of Aden / Red Sea: The attacks have dropped significantly. This drop is likely due to the increased / active military action on suspected skiffs, military land based anti piracy operations, preventive measures used by the merchant vessels including the use of citadels and employment of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP) as well as the SW monsoon.The IMB PRC is monitoring the situation and continues to warn ships to remain vigilant and adhere to the latest BMP recommendations. The threat is still present and seafarers adn Masters should not become complacent while transiting through these waters. Somali pirates usually attack ships in the northern Somali coast in the Gulf of Aden and southern Red Sea in the Bab El Mandeb TSS. The pirates fire automatic weapons and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) at merchant vessels in an attempt to board and hijack them. Once the attack is successful and the vessel hijacked, they would sail the vessel towards the Somali coast and thereafter demand a ransom for the release of the vessel and crew. All vessels transiting the area are advised to take additional precautionary measures and maintain strict 24 hours visual and radar anti piracy watch using all available means. Watch keeping crews should lookout for small suspicious boats converging to own vessel. Early sightings / detection and accurate assessment will allow Master to increase speed and take evasive manoeuvres to escape from the pirates and at the same time request for assistance from various Authorities / Agencies including the IMB PRC.  Monitor and keep clear of all small boats if possible.

Since 1 February 2009, MSCHOA (www.mschoa.org) has established the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). Military assets (Naval and Air) will be strategically deployed within the area to best provide protection and support to merchant ships.

Masters using the IRTC are not relieved of their obligation and should continue to maintain a strict 24 hour lookout using all available means to get an early warning of an approaching threat. Some vessels have been attacked/hijacked in the corridor.

Ships / Owners are advised to register their details on the MSCHOA website www.mschoa.org and obtain further information regarding the close support protection details for ships transiting the Gulf of Aden. Ships are encouraged to conduct their passage through the IRTC in groups based on their transit speed.

Masters are also advised to maintain a listening watch on CH 16, CH 8 and CH 72 in order to hear the Maritime Advisory Calls from the warships in the area who will make general security broadcasts and in turn also listen to merchant ships calling them.

Masters are also advised to monitor the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) broadcast and Warnings via Inmarsat C EGC Safety Net. All attempted and actual attacks and suspicious sightings reported to warships should also be reported to the IMB PRC.

Somalia: Attacks have dropped significantly. In this quarter only one attack was reported. This drop is likely due to the monsoon season; increased/active military action on suspected skiffs, military land based anti piracy operations and increased in armed guards onboard ships. Usual modus operandi of the Somali pirates is to attack ships in the northern, eastern and southern coast of Somalia. Past attacks reaching up to off Kenya, off Tanzania, off Seychelles, off Madagascar off Mozambique/Mozambique Channel and in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea / off Oman, Gulf of Oman and off west coast India and off western Maldives. Somali pirates are dangerous and are prepared to fire their automatic weapons and RPG at vessels in order to stop them. Pirates normally used “mother vessels” to launch attacks at very far distance from coast. These "mother vessels" are usually hijacked dhows or ocean going fishing vessels. In the past the Somali pirate has tried to use hijacked merchant vessels to conduct piracy operations. The “mother vessel” is able to proceed very far out to sea to launch smaller boats or skiffs to attack and hijack unsuspecting passing vessels. Many past attacks had taken place more than 1,000 nm from the Somali coast (towards Indian west and south coast in the Indian Ocean). These pirates have also attacked vessels close to the coast of Tanzanian, Kenya, Somalia, Yemen and Oman. Masters are cautioned that attempted attacks and suspicious approaches have taken place as far east as 76°E, as far south as 22°S and as far north as 26 °N (just south of the Straits of Hormuz).Monitor and keep clear of all small boat, dhows, fishing vessels if possible. A 24hour visual and radar watch must be maintained at all times while transiting these waters. Early sightings / detection and most importantly accurate assessment, keeping in mind the warnings and alerts for the area will allow Masters and PCASP to make informed decisions for evasive actions, increasing speed, requesting assistance as well as engaging the pirates.  Adhere to the latest BMP recommendations.

Reporting of Somali piracy incidents only - please contact below immediately

UKMTO: Tel: +971 50 552 3215, Fax: +971 4 306 5710, Email: UKMTO@eim.ae

MSCHOA: Tel: +44 (0) 1923 958545, Fax: +44 (0) 1923 958520, Email: postmaster@mschoa.org

NATO: Tel: +44 (0) 1923 956574, Fax: +44 (0) 1923 956575. Email: info@shipping.nato.int

IMB PRC: Tel: +60 3 2031 0014, Fax: +60 3 2078 5769, Email: piracy@icc-ccs.org / imbkl@icc-ccs.org

SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN WATERS

Ecuador : Guayaquil.

REST OF THE WORLD

No Incidents:

Reporting of incidents on Piracy and Armed Robbery occuring anywhere in the world please contact the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre:

Ships are advised to maintain strict anti-piracy watches and report all piratical attacks (actual and attempted) and suspicious sightings to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tel: +60 3 2078 5763 Fax: + 60 3 2078 5769,

E-mail: imbkl@icc-ccs.org / piracy@icc-ccs.org

The Centre’s 24 Hours Anti Piracy HELPLINE is: + 60 3 2031 0014