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Date: 15th July 2020Series 15/Issue 237

Weekly Security & Risk Report

2MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

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The Security and Risk Report Series focuses on:

• Operational risks in areas of instability which could affect the safety of commercial and private vessels and personnel ashore and at sea.

• In country reporting on key countries where civil conflict are directly impacting on maritime operations; and

• Reporting and analysis of incidents of terrorism, piracy and other related criminal activity. MAST has a global reach and presence, delivering first hand, accurate and exclusive intelligence. MAST is entrenched and committed in continuing to supportand promote the awareness of the very real risks thatseafarers and other stakeholders face. This Intelligence Report Series is a brief snapshot ofMAST’s Intelligence capabilities. MAST Intelligencespecialises in providing clients with a suite of products and services, including; political and economic risk analysis, de-tailed port and vessel security briefs, vessel passage plans, threat and risk mitigation and travel risk management. Working closely in conjunction with a host of experts,MAST Intelligence offers a market leading service pertain-ing to all maritime affairs.

Follow MAST on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep abreast with these insightful weekly reports and more — including real time security updates.

Editor: David Riderwww.mast-security.com

Issue 237

Contents:

Mast Services

Indian Ocean region

Somalia

Yemen

Mediterranean

Libya

Gulf of Guinea

South East Asia

Central & South America

Severe Weather Warnings

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15th July 2020

24/7 Emergency Telephone+44 (0) 1202 045 833 (Maritime)

MAST UK+44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com

Issue 237 of the series reviews, analyses and threat assesses the fragile and conflict affected coastal states Libya, Somalia and Yemen. The Mediterranean migrant crisis, incidents affecting maritime security and influencing maritime news are also report-ed and analysed, focusing on the keys theatres of maritime instability.

Coronavirus Port and Terminal RestrictionsThe situation remains extremely fluid. For the most recent updates on closures and re-openings, MAST Security recommends using the Wilhemsen Covid-19 Global Port Restrictions Map. Please Click Here to visit their site.

4MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Hijack

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity Theft

Incidents: Nothing significant to report.

In clear message to China, India to invite Australian Navy for Malabar drillIndia plans to invite Australia to join the annual Malabar naval exercise that has so far included just Japan and the U.S., in a move that could risk China’s ire. The decision to include Aus-tralia in the drills — the first time all members of the regional grouping known as the Quad will be engaged at a military level — comes as Beijing and New Delhi are caught up in their worst border tensions in four decades.

Video Shows Massive Iranian Navy Submarine Being Moved By RoadIran’s three Kilo Class submarines are the most potent war-ships in their navy. A video has surfaced on social media show-ing one of them being transported by road. With the service-ability of the fleet in question, it may be revealing. The move does not appear to be routine. The implication is that at least one of the boats is not currently seaworthy. The description of the video says that it is on its way to (or in) Bandar Abbas, the main naval base in Iran. This is the base for the Iranian Navy’s three Kilos, plus most major warships and midget submarines.

Mozambique becomes a hub of extremist islamic terroristsThe’ European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs says it fears that Mozambique is becoming a hub of extremist Is-lamist terrorism. According to reports, the EU Committee on Foreign Affairs received fresh information about Islamist group Al Sunnah wa Jama’ah’s occupation of the port town of Mocím-boa da Praia, in Cabo Delgado province. The committee called on the European Commission and European External Action Service (EEAS) to help Mozambique to respond to the crisis.

Ethiopian Naval AmbitionsEthiopia is gradually and steadily opening up doors and minds to international relations. A financial deal with France, signed in 2019, includes a military component which includes provi-sions air-force cooperation, joint exercises, equipment pur-chases and as well as, most ambitiously, goals to reconstruct an Ethiopian Navy. But, there is just one problem, Ethiopia is a landlocked nation. The most immediate host for an Ethiopian Navy would be the Republic of Djibouti, but no decision has yet been made.

Iran and China draft 25-year trade and military agreementIran and China have drafted an economic and security part-nership that would allow for billions of dollars in Chinese in-vestments in energy and other sectors - including the military - despite the Trump administration’s efforts to isolate Tehran from the global economy. The partnership between the two countries was detailed in an 18-page document seen by the New York Times, and showed that China would expand its presence in Iran’s banking and telecommunications sectors as well as railways, ports and other projects.

US Navy, Air Force troops train with UAE pilots to thwart fast-boat attacks in the Persian GulfU.S. Navy and Air Force troops joined with United Arab Emir-ates pilots recently to conduct combined naval and air training operations in the southern Persian Gulf. The training exercise, June 21st-25th, included using the expeditionary mobile base Lewis B. Puller as a staging platform to practice tracking and engaging simulated fast-attack craft.

To see MAST’s services in the Indian Ocean Region, please click here.

Indian Ocean Region Saudi-backed forces destroyed another two bomb boats off the coast of Salif, Yemen on Thurs-day 8th, according to Saudi coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Malki. “[The boats] were prepared to imminently execute hostile and terrorist actions in the Bab Al Mandab Strait and Southern Red Sea,” al-Malki told the Saudi Press Agency. He asserted that they posed an “imminent threat to sea lines of communication, international trade and regional and international security.”

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Control of Somali territory (March 2017) Source: Wikimedia Commons

AnalysisAl Shabaab continues to mount operations throughout the coun-try, despite efforts by US Central Command to degrade its capa-bilities with ongoing airstrikes which aim to remove AS leader-ship. It is questionable as to whether this “body count” policy is working. Threat AssessmentThe political situation has seen increased tension between re-gional states and the Federal Government. Should this continue, there is an opportunity for criminal organisations to return to their previous maritime activities. Al Shabaab continues to challenege the government and efforts to disrupt its operations continue. The trade in illegal charcoal by terror and crime groups contin-ues, although the Combined Maritime Forces and UN are work-ing on measures to prevent it. Youth unemployment in Somalia has not improved with 67% of Somali male youths aged between 14 to 29 unemployed. Pirate financiers offer lucrative and attrac-tive opportunities, and were seen to be increasingly active in the last inter-monsoon period. Recent incidents off Somalia have highlighted the robust protections offered by both BMP5 and well trained, vigilant armed protection teams. Illegal fishing has returned to the region and there are wider political concerns that it could spark a resurgence in maritime crime unless checked. There is a risk that complacency in some quarters has seen a reduction in PMSC presence in these waters that could result in a piracy success. A lack of adherence to BMP5 protocol, particu-larly not maintaining a safe distance off the coast, has increased risks to shipping. Merchant vessels would be wise to maintain the same distance from the coast, particularly ensuring that the Socotra Gap isn’t taken. All vessels are advised to update risk as-sessments and register with UKMTO/MSCHOA prior to entering the Indian Ocean High Risk Area (HRA).

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Under control of Al Shabaab and allies Under control of neutral forces Under control of Government and allies Somaliland Government Territory disputed by Puntland and Somaliland

SomaliaSomali security forces backed by the Southwestern state army killed seven Al Shabaab fighters and injured five others on Saturday 11th in an operation in Bardale town in the southern region of Bay, an official confirmed on Sunday. Mohamed Isak, governor of Bardale town, told journalists that the joint operation started when the army got intelligence that the militants were hiding in the area to plan further attacks in the area.

Somalia’s army chief survives suspected suicide attackSomalia’s army chief has survived a suspected suicide car bomb targeting his convoy in Mogadishu. An attacker deto-nated a device after the convoy of the army boss fired at him when he tried to get near them. The attack happened near Gordon military camp on Monday 13th, as Gen Odawa Yusuf was coming from the army headquarters at Ministry of De-fence in Mogadishu.

SNA troops kill several Al Shabaab militants in SouthA contingent of Somali National Army [SNA] troops waged yet again a deadly operation against Al Shabaab militants on Sun-day 12th in Bardale, officials said, leaving at least seven terror-ists dead and over five injured, in an incident which showcases the growing confidence of the young army. According to of-ficials, the SNA troops mainly drawn from the elite Danab and Gorgor contingents targeted the militants in Bardale, a town that has been on their radar for a long time.

Mystery As Staff in the Attorney General’s Office Killed By Justice Minister’s BodyguardsAn official from the office of the attorney general was shot dead by bodyguards of justice minister while driving a car in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu. Mohamed Abdulqadir Elmi was an ICT official working with the attorney generals office died on the spot after his vehicle was sprayed with bullets eyewit-nesses told Radio Dalsan. The guard who shot dead the official was arrested but the motivations were not clear but police say

the matter is under investigation.

US airstrikes continueUS Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike target-ing an Al Shabaab checkpoint near Hantiwadaag in southern Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on July 9th. The airstrike de-stroyed the checkpoint, killing one al Shabaab militant.

Al Shabaab targets Kenyan base, phone mastAl Shabaab claimed seizing a Kenyan military base near Karkara area in eastern Kenya’s Garissa County on July 9th. Al Shabaab also attacked a communications mast and a Kenyan police station in Garissa County on the same day. Kenyan of-ficials reported al Shabaab destroyed the communications mast before Kenyan police repelled the attack.

Kenyan traders demand direct flights to Hargeisa terming Mogadishu air space hostileThe Kenyan business community has said they want a direct route by air to Hargeisa (Somaliland) for them to transport their products terming the route through Mogadishu as hostile. This was after Somalia turned back an aircraft transporting 13.6 tonnes of khat (miraa) to Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland via Somali capital Mogadishu was turned back despite having been cleared to make the trip.

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Control of Yemen territory (June 1st 20209)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Houthi

Pro Hadi Government Forces

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Controlled by Southern Transitional Council

YemenYemen’s Houthi rebels have agreed to allow the United Nations access to a stranded oil tanker that risks causing an environmental disaster off the coast of the war-divided country, Reuters news agency has reported, citing UN sources familiar with the matter. The 45-year-old FSO Safer is anchored off the port of Hodeidah under the control of Houthi rebels, who have previously blocked efforts to send inspectors to assess its condition.

Houthis say Saudi oil facility hit in overnight attackYemen’s Houthi rebels say they have attacked a large oil facil-ity in an industrial complex south of the Saudi Arabian city of Jizan as part of an overnight operation. The Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthis said on Monday 13th it intercept-ed and destroyed four missiles and six bomb-laden drones launched by Houthi rebels towards the kingdom.

Yemen army seizes arms shipment to rebels in HodaydahYemeni forces seized an arms shipment to Houthi rebels in Al-Hudaydah province in western Yemen, according to the army on Sunday 12th. A military statement said the shipment includ-ed light and medium weapons, ammunition and mortar shells.

Oxfam: Remittances dropped by 80% in YemenCash transfers from Yemenis abroad to their country have de-clined by 80 per cent in the first four months of 2020, Oxfam announced on Thursday 9th. “Remittances dropped by 80 per cent – or $253 million – in the first four months of 2020 as a result of mass job losses across the Gulf,” an Oxfam press re-lease disclosed. According to RT, Yemenis transferred $431 million every month in 2019.

Iran denies US seizure of Iranian arms on way to Houthis in YemenIran on Thursday 9th denied that US forces had seized a boat carrying Iranian weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen, saying the charge was aimed at extending a UN arms embargo on Tehran. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in Washing-ton on Wednesday that US and unidentified allied forces had interdicted a vessel off Yemen’s coast on June 28 that was car-rying Iranian arms to the Houthis.

Iran’s Ahmadinejad ‘Mediates’ To End Yemen War, Report SaysAn Iranian news website has quoted an “informed source” as saying that former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has writ-ten to Saudi and Houthi leaders as well as the U.N. Secretary-General in an attempt to mediate an end to Yemen’s conflict. According to a report by Rouydad 24 news website which has

been widely quoted by other news websites, an informed source has said that Ahmadinejad wants to play the role of a mediator to end the conflict in Yemen.

Yemen fuel supplies ‘weaponised’, putting millions at riskA fuel shortage is blighting life in the swathes of Yemen con-trolled by Huthi rebels, cutting electricity supplies, halting wa-ter pumps and stranding people in need of medical care as warring sides trade blame. Energy scarcity is nothing new in a country ravaged by years of conflict, but queues at the pumps have been getting longer by the day since mid-June.

Red Cross warns that two-thirds of Yemenis have no foodThe International Committee of the Red Cross warned on Sat-urday that two-thirds of Yemenis do not have food, and almost as many have no access to health care. In a series of state-ments on Twitter, the ICRC added that 58 per cent of Yem-enis have no access to clean water, and 11 per cent suffer from acute malnutrition.

Islamic State terror actions continueIslamic State in Yemen claimed an attack on three Houthi po-sitions in Qayfa area in central Yemen’s al Bayda governorate on July 7th. The militants reportedly detonated an improvised explosive device (IED), killing seven al Houthi militants and in-juring six others.

To see the latest threat analysis and Yemen port information in MASTOPDEIA, please click here.

MAST recommends BMP measures be enforced and watches strengthened during transits in the region.

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Migrant crossings 2017-2020. Source: UNHRC

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Migrant statistics in the Mediterranean (Figures last updated on July 14th 2020). Source: UNHCR

Mediterranean The private rescue ship Sea-Watch 3, run by the German organization Sea Watch, has been seized by Italian authorities after an inspection uncovered “administrative” and “safety” irregulari-ties, which could “compromise the vessel, its crew and anyone who might be rescued by it.” Ital-ian authorities have seized the Sea-Watch 3, which was docked in the Sicilian port of Empedocle since it disembarked more than 200 migrants it rescued towards the end of June.

Over 500 migrants reach Italy’s Lampedusa in two daysMore than 500 migrants have arrived on Lampedusa over the past two days, the UN’s migration agency said on Friday 10th, as people take advantage of calm seas to attempt the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Europe. Since the start of summer, the island has seen a sharp increase in the number of migrants landing there directly, even as others picked up from the Mediterranean by charity rescue boats have been brought in recent days in Sicily to the north.

Red Cross Red Crescent alarmed at increase in migrant drownings in MediterraneanRed Crescent societies in Tunisia and Libya are seeing an in-crease in drownings on the shores of North Africa. Warmer weather and relaxed COVID-19 lockdowns are thought to be behind an increase in numbers of people attempting to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe. Many are not surviving the perilous journey, with 20 per cent more people estimated to have died in June this year as opposed to last year, according to the International Organization for Migra-tion (IOM).

Turkish Cypriots call for investigation into gunshots at mi-grant boatTurkish Cypriot human rights groups have urged a probe over reported gunshots by police at a migrant boat with Syr-ian refugees. Ethnically divided Cyprus, split by a demarca-tion line not recognized as a border, has become a popular destination for migrants in recent years. On Friday 10th, Turk-ish Cypriot human rights groups called for an investigation after police reportedly fired their weapons at a boat carrying 30 Syrian refugees. The vessel was heading toward ethnical-ly split Cyprus’ Turkish-administered north, the Associated Press (AP) reports.

The current migrant smuggling situation

Although crossing figures for the last week appear relatvely low, this does not reflect the situation on the water, where Libyan na-val and CG assets have had a busy week. Over 2,000 migrants have reportedly been returned to the country in the last seven days, and no doubt some of them will evade capture and the give smuggling gangs repeat business. The seizure of Sea-Watch 3 by Italian authorities is sadly now a routine event and hopefully the vessel will put to sea shortly. The absence of NGO rescue ves-sels places additional strain on merchant ships transiting the re-gion, as they will be deemed responsible for any migrant vessels sighted nearby. Such situation invariably lead to lengthy delays at anchor for merchants who have rescued migrants at sea.

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Control of Northern Libyan territory (Jan. 8th 2020)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Controlled by the Tobruk led government

Controlled by the Government of National Accord

Controlled by ISIS

Controlled by local forces

Controlled by Tuareg forces

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

LibyaLibya’s National Oil Company (NOC) has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of instructing renegade forces to reimpose a blockade of oil exports. The country recently resumed oil exports after a halt of nearly six months, caused by conflict and political upheaval. But the oil company said the blockade was reinstated over the weekend of July 11th-12th after Libya National Army (LNA) forces loyal to Gen Khalifa Haftar announced the blocking of export of oil from the country.

Eastern-based Libyan parliament asks Egypt to intervene in warLibya’s eastern-based parliament has called for Egypt to di-rectly intervene in the country’s civil war to counter Turkish support for the internationally recognised Government of Na-tional Accord (GNA), based in the capital Tripoli. In a statement late on Monday 13th, the House of Representatives based in the eastern port of Tobruk said Egyptian backing was needed to stave off what it described as a Turkish invasion and occu-pation.

Turkey: Ceasefire in Libya now would not benefit GNATurkey has dismissed prospects of any ceasefire in Libya say-ing a deal incorporating the conflict’s existing front lines would not benefit the internationally recognised Government of Na-tional Accord (GNA). Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the coastal city of Sirte and al-Jufra airbase need to be turned over to the GNA before it agrees to a ceasefire.

Libyan army establishes joint force to maintain security in western regionCommander of the Western Region Joint Operations Room, Major General Osama Joueili, issued a decision to establish a joint force under the command of Brigadier General, Al-Feturi Gharibel charged with important functions, such as securing the western region and tracking armed gangs. The force will be drawn from the combat units which took part in repelling the aggression on Tripoli with a strength of 500 military per-sonnel from each of the three military regions; the Western, Central, and Tripoli region, according to a statement by the Joint Operations Room.

Haftar stipulates conditions to allow oil flowKhalifa Haftar, leader of illegitimate armed militias in eastern Libya, said on Saturday 11th that he will continue to block oil production until his conditions are accepted. Sharing a video message on social media, Ahmed al-Mismari, the spokesman for Haftar’s militia, while reading a written statement demand-ed a share in the revenue earned from oil production. The conditions stipulated in the statement included to deposit oil

revenues in the bank account located in a third country and to establish a mechanism to distribute proceeds equally. He also asked for conducting an audit of Libyan Central Bank.

Libya, UN discuss need for political solution to Libyan crisisThe Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary-Gen-eral in Libya, Stephanie Williams, on Friday 10th met with the Speaker of Libya’s eastern-based House of Representatives (parliament), Aguila Saleh, in Geneva and discussed the need to intensify efforts to find an inclusive political solution to the Libyan crisis. “Acting SRSG Stephanie Williams met today in Geneva with HoR Speaker Aguila Saleh, to discuss, among others, the revival of political dialogue, Speaker Saleh’s initia-tive, and the need to intensify efforts to find an inclusive politi-cal solution to the Libyan crisis,” said a statement issued by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Turkey announces naval drills off Libya coastThe Turkish Ministry of National Defence has announced that large-scale naval exercises off the Libyan coast will take place soon. According to the official statement, the expected ma-noeuvres will be called “Naftex”, adding that the maritime ex-ercises will take place off the Libyan coast in three different regions: Barbaros, Turgutreis and Chaka Bey.

Battle looms for key Libyan city SirteA military buildup around the Libyan city of Sirte has raised fears of a major battle for control of the area’s strategic oil re-serves. The Libyan National Army (LNA), which has occupied Sirte since May, accused Turkey of targeting the oil-rich city and supplying militias in the area with weapons.

To read MAST’s Libyan Country report on MASTOPEDIA, please click here.

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4°30’

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Hijack

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

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Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity

Theft

Gulf of GuineaThe Nigerian government on Monday 13th arraigned 10 suspected pirates in a federal high court in Lagos, the nation’s economic hub for allegedly hijacking a Chinese fishing vessel. The vessel, FV Hai Lu Feng II, is said to belong to the Haina Fishing Company. The government charged the suspects with three counts on piracy. Prosecutor Magaji Labaran alleged that the defendants committed the offence in May, on the International waters in Abidjan, Cote D’lvoire, while armed with dangerous weapons.

Incidents: 1. Late Report: Duty AB onboard an anchored bulk carrier noticed three robbers on the forecastle and immediately in-formed the OOW who raised the alarm at 0235 UTC in position 04:53.01N – 001:41.89W, Takoradi Anchorages, Ghana. Seeing the alerted crew the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s prop-erties. Incident reported to Takoradi Port Control. Reported (IMB) 30th June.

Reps give naval chief seven days to explain unaccounted N11.5mThe House of Representatives committee on public accounts has given the Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ibas, a seven-day ul-timatum to appear before it to defend a query on N11.5 mil-lion unaccounted for by the navy, media reported on July 14th. The summon is based on a query issued by the office of the auditor-general which said that N11.5 million was paid as rent for a four-bedroom apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos State by the Ni-gerian Navy.

Secured Anchorage: Concerned stakeholders fault NPA’s fresh bid to resuscitate settled mattersThe recent Marine Notice issued by the management of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) to ship masters, ship owners, and other operators whose vessels currently enjoy some level of security at the designated anchorage, seems to be a sig-nal to a fresh battle over the controversy around the Secured Anchorage Area, SAA. The latest move comes despite the in-tervention by the National Assembly on an issue, which had almost torn apart frontline operators at the Lagos Anchorage District.

Oil theft: Military hands over 9 suspects, vessel to EFCCThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Port

Harcourt Zonal office, on Friday 10th, took over a vessel, the MT Morris alongside nine crew members. EFCC Spokesper-son, Dele Oyewale, in a press statement in Abuja, said the ves-sel and suspectes were handed over to the commission by representative of Sector Three of the Joint Military Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, Colonel N.C.E Ejike.

Captain jailed for illegal oil dealsJustice L.N. Oweibo of Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday 9th, convicted and sentenced Captain Peter Okomi to one year imprisonment for illegally dealing in petroleum products. Also convicted and sentenced was his firm Moyitok Nigeria Ltd and a vessel, M.V. Agbeke. The convicts were pros-ecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge following their arrest by the Nigerian Navy.

NNPC confirms death of seven workers in pipeline explosion in DeltaThe Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has confirmed the death of seven workers in an oil pipeline explosion at one of its facilities in Delta State. It said the explosion occurred on Tuesday 7th at the company’s Be-nin River Valve Station and not all personnel on board have been fully accounted for, according to BigPen Online.

To see MAST Services in the region, please click here. And and to read Nigeria’s country report, please click here.

10MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

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Hijack

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity

Theft

South East AsiaThe Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and its Japanese counterparts recently conducted a simulation exercise between Jolo Island and Tawi-Tawi to enhance the country’s response against piracy attacks and armed robbery on ships. PCG, Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia-Information Shar-ing Center (ReCAAP-ISC) conducted the communications and surveillance exercise simulating a vessel under piracy attack.

Incidents: 1. Late Report: While Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier was en route from Singapore to Qingdao, China, four perpetrators were sighted in the engine room workshop at 0311 LT in posi-tion 01:16.54N - 104:13.83E, approx 7.7nm NW of Tanjung Ton-dang, Pulau Bintan, Indonesian (Eastbound TSS). Upon being sighted, the perpetrators escaped via the emergency steer-ing room to the ship’s stern deck. A thorough search on board the ship was conducted twice with no further sighting of the perpetrators. The markings found on ship railings at the stern indicated that the perpetrators had escaped using hooks and ropes. There was no confrontation with the crew and nothing was stolen. The ship resumed her voyage. Ships’ CSO reported the incident to the Singapore Port Operations Control Centre (POCC). A safety navigational broadcast was initiated. The RSN, Singapore Police Coast Guard and the Indonesian authorities were notified. Reported (ReCAAP) 28th June.

‘China intruded into Sabah, Sarawak waters 89 times in last three years’China’s military encroached into Sabah’s and Sarawak’s wa-ters in the South China Sea 89 times from 2016 to 2019, says the third series of the Auditor-General’s Report 2018. Of the 89 times, the China Coast Guard (CCG) intruded into Malaysian waters 72 times while the remaining were by the People’s Lib-eration Army Navy (PLAN), the report added. “Our audit found that the reason for the CCG and PLAN’s existence was to dem-onstrate China’s presence in regard to its South China Sea claims, especially in the Beting Patinggi Ali (BPA) area,” stated the report released on Tuesday (July 14th).

South China Sea dispute: China’s pursuit of resources ‘un-lawful’, says USChina’s pursuit of offshore resources in parts of the South Chi-

na Sea is “completely unlawful”, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said. Mr Pompeo said he wanted to make clear that Beijing’s “campaign of bullying to control” the disputed waters was wrong. China said that the US “deliberately distorts facts and international law”, the BBC reported on July 14th.

Philippine military says Abu Sayyaf leader still alivehe Philippine military on Friday said that one of the senior lead-ers of the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Mindanao is still alive. Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Cirilo Sobejana told foreign media that Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan was still “very ac-tive,” as he responded to questions about reports that Saw-adjaan had died from gunshot wounds sustained during an encounter with Army Scout Rangers on Sulu Island.

One third of security forces’ vessels crippled, says auditor-generalA little over one-third or 34.6% of vessels belonging to the Ma-laysian security forces are either damaged or not functioning properly, stifling efforts to curb smuggling of goods and peo-ple as well as encroachment by foreign fishermen, the auditor-general (A-G) revealed. Nik Azman Nik Abdul Majid also said there were no sea surveillance systems, better known as Swa-sla, along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.

To see MAST’s services in the region, please click here.

11MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Hijack

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity

Theft

Central and South America Nothing significant to report

Incidents: Nothing significant to report

Standing advice: The repercussions of a vessel being caught acting as a mule with drugs stowed will depend on the type, amount and na-tional laws, but may be disruptive and costly. When and if operating in these areas, especially Columbia and Peru, it is advised that: • Potential stowage areas such as rudder shafts are denied as far as possible, and/or routinely searched. • Access points are closely monitored by a vigilant watch for the duration of the vessel’s call at port.

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Note: The forecasts are correct as of the day before publication. For latest updates please follow the provided links.

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Nothing significant to report.

Severe Weather Warnings Warnings detailed on this page are from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and are issued by respective Regional Specialised Metrological Centres, Tropical Cyclone Centres or Na-tional Meteorological Services. For further information on severe weather warnings please click here.