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OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE (U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report 14 September - 14 October 2015

15 October 2015

(U) Table of Contents

1. (U) Scope Note 2. (U) Summary 3. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories 4. (U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region 5. (U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources 6. (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 worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily to inform merchant mariners and naval forces.

2. (U) Summary A. (U) MALAYSIA: On 15 October, six robbers boarded the Panama-flagged tanker ALMI SPIRIT in the Kukup Anchorage area of Johor Province. B. (U) NIGERIA: On 12 October, gunmen abducted five teachers from a secondary school in the Agba-Ndele in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. C. (U) BANGLADESH: On 12 October, a group of fishermen came under attack from pirates it the Kuakata Bay region of Patuakhali, two fishermen were kidnapped. D. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 10 October, seven robbers boarded MV CECILIA 4.5 nm southeast of Olanivan Island. E. (U) NIGERIA: On 9 October, gunmen attacked the Kolo Creek Flow Station in the eastern section of the Niger Delta, in Bayelsa State. F. (U) CAMEROON: On 8 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded a berthed bulk carrier in Douala Port. G. (U) ANGOLA: On 8 October, Angolan authorities arrested MT TOPIA PEARL and MT ARMADA TUAH for conducting an illegal fuel transfer approximately 11 nm from the Angolan coastline. H. (U) NIGERIA: On 6 October, the Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy confirmed the arrest of eleven sailors aboard a tanker, MT DERA, and a tug, CHARLEY RUNNER, with an estimated 6,000 tons of stolen crude oil along the waterways in Bayelsa State. I. (U) MALAYSIA: On 6 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored product tanker during hours of darkness in Sandakan Anchorage, Sabah.

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J. (U) INDONESIA: On 5 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored general cargo ship In Tanjung Priok Anchorage.

3. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for October 2015. 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 October 2015. 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: 00-870-773-110-439; Email: cheonghaeetg@navy.mil.kr. (MSCHOA) C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for October 2015. For further information, please e-mail planavy@navy.mil.cn, or call Tel: 86 10 652 92218/96; Fax: 86 10 652 92245. (MSCHOA) D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for October 2015. To register, email dgcommcentre-dgs@nic.in; or visit www.dgshipping.com. Telephone numbers for contact are: 91-22-22614646 or fax at 91-22- 22613636. (MSCHOA) E. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Russian Navy convoy escort schedule for October 2015. 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) UNITED STATES: On 21 August, three stowaways were found in the Port of Jacksonville, Florida. One had jumped from the MV PETRA after being spotted during an inspection of the ship. That stowaway was picked up and turned over to authorities, who learned that two more stowaways were still aboard the ship. Originally, five persons stowed away in the rudder trunk on 7 August when the ship left Lagos, Nigeria, but two of them fell overboard during the trip. (www.news4jax.com) B. (U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA: 1. (U) TRINADAD AND TOBAGO: On 28 September, robbers boarded the fishing vessel LULU near the Hibiscus oil platform approximately 30 nm from the countrys northern coast. During the robbery, the robbers shot and killed one of the fishermen, and wounding another. Trinidad authorities believe that the robbers came from Venezuela. (www.trinadadexpress.com) 2. (U) COLOMBIA: On 19 September, six robbers boarded a sailing yacht anchored in the Rosario Islands area near Cartagena. During the robbery, the wife of the yacht owner was killed. Local authorities are investigating the case. (www.noonsite.com) C. (U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report. D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE - BALTIC: No current incidents to report.

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E. (U) MEDITERRANEAN - BLACK SEA: 1. (U) LIBYA: On 16 September, Russian tanker MEKHANIK CHEBOTARYOV was stopped by a Libyan warship in international waters. The empty vessel had been on its way to the Libyan port of Zawiya. Having boarded the vessel, the Libyan military did not explain their reason for stopping it. They had two crew members board the ship and ordered the tanker's captain to follow them and switch off the Automatic Identification System. The vessel was then escorted to the port of Tripoli. The entire crew had their documents and cell phones confiscated. Vessel documentation was also seized. (Interfax) F. (U) WEST AFRICA:

1. (U) NIGERIA: On 12 October, gunmen abducted five teachers from a secondary school in the Agba-Ndele in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. They were taken away from the area in a speed boat, according to witnesses. (www.vanguardngr.com) 2. (U) NIGERIA: On 9 October, gunmen attacked the Kolo Creek Flow Station in the eastern section of the Niger Delta, in Bayelsa State. A security guard working at the site was killed during the attack. (www.worldstagegroup.com) 3. (U) CAMEROON: On 8 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded a berthed bulk carrier near position 04:03 N - 009:41 E, Douala Port. The robbers were able to break the lock to the forecastle store room, steal ships properties and escape unnoticed. A duty crewman noticed the theft during cargo operations. (IMB) 4. (U) ANGOLA: On 8 October, Angolan authorities arrested MT TOPIA PEARL and MT ARMADA TUAH for conducting an illegal fuel transfer approximately 11 nm from the Angolan coastline. Authorities also found evidence of a fuel spill in the sea near the ships. (www.allafrica.com)

Figure 1. West Africa Piracy and Maritime Crime

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5. (U) NIGERIA: On 6 October, the Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy confirmed the arrest of eleven sailors aboard a tanker DERA and the tug CHARLEY RUNNER along the waterways in Bayelsa State. They were in possession of an estimated 6,000 tons of stolen crude oil. The Nigerian Navy detained the vessel and tugboat along the Eremor 1 Marginal Oil Field located off Peretorugbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. (www.saharareporters.com) 6. (U) NIGERIA: On 22 September, a small boat came alongside an anchored product tanker near position 006:16 N - 003:13 E: 14.8 nm south-southwest of Lagos. The persons onboard pretended to be cargo inspectors and produced a fake letter of authorization purportedly signed by the Master of the vessel. Seeing the fraudulent document, and suspecting an attempt to board the vessel illegally, the Master contacted a nearby naval security boat, which responded and detained the suspects. (IMB) 7. (U) GULF OF GUINEA: On 17 September, a suspicious vessel was reportedly operating near position 01:13 N - 001:50 E, approximately 288 nm south of Benin. The vessel was described as having a blue hull and white superstructure and is not displaying AIS. It reportedly followed another vessel for an hour and a half. (MTISC- GOG) G. (U) ARABIAN GULF: No current incidents to report. H. (U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA: 1. (U) SOMALIA: On 29 September, Puntland Marine Police reportedly arrested four Iranian fishing boats and 12 crewmen near Los Qoray. During the operation, one of the Iranians in the group was reportedly killed. (www.marsecreview.com) I. (U) EAST ASIA - SOUTHEAST ASIA - INDIAN SUBCONTINENT:

Figure 2. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime

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1. (U) MALAYSIA: On 15 October, six robbers boarded the Panama-flagged tanker ALMI SPIRIT in the Kukup Anchorage area of Johor Province. Forces from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency responded to the boarding and are investigating. (www.news.odin.tc) 2. (U) BANGLADESH: On 12 October, a group of fishermen came under attack from pirates it the Kuakata Bay region of Patuakhali. According to the Alipur Trawler Owners Association, three fishing boats came under attack from the pirates. They shot and injured six of the fishermen and kidnapped two of them. (www.uttaranews24.com) 3. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 10 October, seven robbers boarded MV CECILIA near 05:20 N - 125:31 E, 4.5 nm southeast of Olanivan Island. Two speed boats with seven persons armed with guns approached the vessel. Suspecting a boarding attempt, the Master instructed the crew to close and lock all access to the vessels accommodation area. The armed robbers boarded the vessel, but departed when they could not enter the ship. The Master raised the alarm, informed the local authorities and notified the owners. A coast guard vessel was dispatched to investigate. (IMB, www.sunstar.com.ph) 4. (U) MALAYSIA: On 6 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored product tanker during hours of darkness near position 05:49 N 118:09 E, Sandakan Anchorage, Sabah. The robbers forced their way into the bosun store room, stole spare parts, and escaped. The theft was noticed by the duty crew during routine rounds. The incident was reported to Port Authorities. (IMB) 5. (U) INDONESIA: On 5 October, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored general cargo ship near position 06:01 S 106:53 E, Tanjung Priok Anchorage. They entered into the engine room workshop, stole ships properties and escaped. The theft was noticed by the duty crew during routine rounds. (IMB) 6. (U) INDONESIA: On 5 October, a fishing boat saw five intruders boarding an anchored product tanker near position 03:56 N 098:49 E, Belawan Anchorage, and notified the tanker. Alarm was raised, fog horn sounded and crew was mustered. The robbers threatened the approaching crewmen with long knives and escaped empty handed. (IMB)

Figure 3. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime

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7. (U) MALAYSIA: On 1 October, two robbers boarded a tanker via the anchor chain near position 05:49 N - 118:05 E: 1.5 nm north-northeast of Sandakan, Borneo. An alert crewman spotted the robbers and raised the alarm, resulting in the robbers abandoning the collected stolen items and escaping. (IMB) 8. (U) VIETNAM: On 30 September, a stevedore onboard a container ship berthed near position 10:46 N 106:44 E, Vietnam International Container Terminal, Ho Chi Minh City Port noticed two robbers near the forecastle and alerted the duty crewman who in turn notified the bridge. The duty crewman stopped his approach towards the robbers when he noticed that they were armed with a long bladed knife. When the robber saw the crewman, he jumped overboard and escaped. The crew later discovered that the padlock on the bosun store room was forced opened and ships properties stolen. (IMB) 9. (U) VIETNAM: On 29 September, the Vietnam Coast Guard detained MT STAR ASIA and a Vietnamese fishing vessel for illegal bunkering in the Gulf of Thailand in the vicinity of Phu Quoc Island. The vessels were taken to Phu Quoc Island for further investigations. According to the police, the tanker was illegally selling bunker fuel to Vietnamese fishing vessels for $0.22 per liter. (www.vesseltracker.com) 10. (U) INDONESIA: On 29 September, four robbers armed with machetes boarded a product tanker at anchor near position 01:42 N - 101:30 E, Dumai Anchorage. Hearing the intrusion alarm the duty officer contacted the duty crew to check. When the aft crew did not reply back, another duty crewman keeping watch on the forecastle was instructed to investigate. The aft duty crewman was found gagged and tied up. Alarm was raised and crew alerted. Seeing the alerted crew the robbers escaped without stealing anything. (IMB) 11. (U) INDONESIA: On 25 September, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored product tanker near position 03:56 N - 098:45 E, Belawan Anchorage. The robbers were able to steal engine spares and escape unnoticed. Crew mustered and a search of the ship was carried out. Incident reported to local agents. (IMB) 12. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 21 September, unidentified gunmen abducted a Norwegian resort manager, two Canadians and a Filipino woman from a resort on Samal Island, near Davao City in the southern Philippines. At least 11 armed men arrived at the resort in two speedboats. The gunmen appeared to have specifically targeted the victims when they entered the Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort before midnight. (abcnews.go.com) 13. (U) INDONESIA: On 20 September, alert crewmen onboard an underway bulk carrier near position 01:04 N - 103:41 E, 3.1 nm southwest of Pulau Takong Kecil saw a speed boat with eight persons approaching their ship. The alarm was raised, crew mustered, notified the Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) was notified, and anti-piracy measures employed. As the boat came alongside the master commenced evasive maneuvering, resulting in the robbers aborting the approach and moving away. Naval vessels in the vicinity were dispatched to assist the vessel. (IMB) 14. (U) INDONESIA: On 20 September, three robbers armed with a bolo knife boarded an underway bulk carrier near position 01:11.1 N - 103:25.0 E, 1.9 nm northeast of Pulau Karimun Kecil. The robbers entered the engine room, stole ship properties, and escaped. When duty crew saw the robbers, they raised the alarm and mustered the crew. VTIS Singapore was also informed. (IMB) 15. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 18 September, an unknown number of robbers boarded a berthed product tanker near position 13:40 N - 121:03 E, JG Summit Petrochemical Group Jetty No. 1, Batangas. The robbers boarded unnoticed, stole ships properties and escaped. The theft was reported by a duty crewman on rounds who found the forward mooring rope cut and ship's properties missing. (IMB) 16. (U) INDONESIA: On 16 September, a duty lookout onboard an underway bulk carrier near position 01:06 N - 103:31 E, 6.6 nm east-southeast of Pulau Karimun Kecil, noticed a speed boat alongside the ship. Alarm was raised, crew was mustered, and SSAS activated. However, the robbers had already tied up the duty oiler in the engine room and escaped with engine spares. (IMB) 17. (U) VIETNAM: On 16 September, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position 10:14 N - 107:02 E at the Vungtau anchorage. The robbers were able to steal ships property and escape unnoticed. The incident was discovered later in the day. (IMB)

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J. (U) NORTH - EAST ASIA: 1. (U) CHINA: On 16 September, Chinese officials announced that at least eight people have been arrested in a case involving smuggling of more than 34,000 tons of oil. More than 10 other suspects were detained and two tankers were seized after customs police in China's Jiangsu province busted the ring, which has been operating since 2013, according to press reports. The smuggling ring bought oil from a Taiwanese tanker in open waters. (www.business-standard.com) 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.

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.

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(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.

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: 14 October 2015