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Date: 05th February 2020Series 14/Issue 214

Weekly Security & Risk Report

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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 opera-tions; and

• Reporting and analysis of incidents of terrorism, pi-racy 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 prod-ucts and services, including; political and economic risk analysis, detailed 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 pertaining 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 214

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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05th February 2020

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

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

Issue 214 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.

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

Hijack

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Incidents: Nothing significant to report.

MAST advice on increased tensions in region:Following the death of Qasem Soleimani, a response from Iran is expected in the region. MAST stongly advises against de-ploying armed guards during transits in the Strait of Hormuz/Persian Gulf. Unarmed guards, trained in threat recognition and well schooled in the patterns of life at sea in the region are recommended. Masters should adhere to BMP 5 recommen-dations and ensure relevant agencies such as UKMTO are in-formed before transiting the region. Additionally, crew should run citadel training drills before entering the Strait. Should the vessel be boarded, the authorities should be informed and crew housed in the citadel.

Japanese warship Takanami departs for GulfA Japanese destroyer left for the Gulf of Oman on Sunday Feb, 2nd amid simmering Middle East tension to guard sea lanes that supply nearly all the oil that powers the world’s third-big-gest economy. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s govern-ment has said it is prepared to authorize force to protect ships in danger,

Iran, regional countries responsible for maritime security in regionIn reaction to the departure of Japanese destroyer to the Per-sian Gulf, Iranian Embassy in Japan said that the maritime se-curity should be provided by the countries of the region and the Islamic Republic of Iran. “The principle position of the Is-lamic Republic of Iran as one of the historic guards of security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is that the pres-ence of foreign forces in the region will not contribute to secu-rity and stability,” the statement said.

Judge refuses to vacate Somali pirate’s sentenceAssociated Press reported on Feb. 3rd that a federal judge in Virginia had refused vacate the life sentence handed down to Somali pirate, Mohamed Abdi Jama, for a 2010 attack on a US Navy vessel in the Indian Ocean. Jama was sentenced to life in prison in 2016 for piracy. He filed a motion last year claiming ineffective assistance of counsel.

France kickstarts European mission in the Strait of HormuzFrance announced on Thursday Jan. 30th the beginning of the European Maritime Awareness mission in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH), intended to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Gulf while promoting a de-escalation approach with Iran.

Pakistan Navy offers Sri Lanka help in fighting drug traffick-ing, smugglingChief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi on Wednesday Jan. 29th completed his five-day official visit to Sri Lanka aimed at strengthening naval ties between the two countries and offering help to the island nation in combating organised transnational crime at sea.

UK takes charge of coalition Gulf missionBritain has taken over command from the United States of a maritime security mission in the Gulf to protect global ship-ping from the threat of attack by Iran. Royal Navy Commodore James Parkin took charge of the seven-nation coalition on Thursday from US Rear Admiral Alvin Holsey at a ceremony at a US naval base in Bahrain.

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

Indian Ocean Region An international maritime coalition set up to deter attacks by Iran against shipping in the Gulf will be needed for months, possibly even years, a Bahrain naval officer has told Sky News. Com-mander Arif al Rouwaie, captain of a small warship that is part of the British-led task force, said he and his crew are ready to defend themselves and their interests if needed. “We are always ready,” the captain said, speaking in English as he commanded his corvette, RBNS Al Muharraq, armed with Exocet missiles and guns, in waters off Bahrain’s coast.

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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, although AMISOM forces will withdraw some time in 2019. The trade in illegal charcoal by terror and crime groups continues, al-though the Combined Maritime Forces and UN are working 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 attractive op-portunities, and were seen to be increasingly active in the last inter-monsoon period. Recent incidents off Somalia have high-lighted the robust protections offered by both BMP5 and well trained, vigilant armed protection teams. Illegal fishing has re-turned 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

SomaliaSomalia has declared a national emergency as large swarms of locusts spread across east Africa. The country’s Ministry of Agriculture said the insects, which consume large amounts of vegeta-tion, posed “a major threat to Somalia’s fragile food security situation”. There are fears that the situation may not be brought under control before the harvest begins in April.

Kenya must arrest and return escaped Jubaland minister to face trial in MogadishuA regional security minister in Somalia arrested for “serious crimes” on 31st Aug. 2019, who recently escaped from deten-tion and is currently in Kenya, must be returned to face justice, Amnesty International said on Feb. 3rd. “It is unconscionable that Abdirashid Janan, who is suspected of responsibility for crimes under international law and other serious human rights violations, has evaded attempts to bring him to justice,” said Seif Magango, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes.

8 soldiers killed in Al Shabaab attackAt least 18 people including eight Somali government soldiers and 10 Al Shabaab militants were killed, and more than 13 oth-ers wounded when fighters from al-Shabaab attacked Somali National Army and African Union peacekeeping mission troops bases in the middle Shabelle region on Sunday Feb. 2nd.

Court dismisses petition to bar Kenya from ICJ case with So-maliaA three-judge bench has dismissed a petition to bar Kenyan officials from participating before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a maritime dispute with Somalia. Justices Kanyi Kimondo, Robert Limo and Anthony Mrima noted on Friday 31st that issues raised in the petition by 20 Kenyans would be more effectively resolved through diplomatic, legislative, policy and other executive interventions, rather than by a con-

stitutional decision.

Somali, U.S. forces destroy Al Shabaab camp in southern re-gionA compound controlled by Al Shabaab militants was dwa-troyed in Jilib town on Wednesday Jan 29th, Somalia govern-ment sourceas said, in the latest series of airstrikes targeting the al Qaeda associated insurgents. Early this week, the US military in coordination with SNA unleashed an airstrike near the town, killing a suspected Al Shabaab militant, AFRICOM said.

Three killed in roadside blastsAt least 3 people were killed and several, including a local government official wounded when their vehicle hit a road-side bomb in Mogadishu on Saturday Feb. 1st, Garowe Online reports. Abdinasir Hassan Ali, the deputy commissioner of Kahda district, sustained life-threatening wounds in a remote-controlled landmine blast struck his car at Hoosh junction near a local market in Dharkenley.

AMISOM MOCC Agrees to Drawdown of More 1000 SoldiersAMISOM Military Operations Coordination Committee has agreed to the drawdown of an additional one thousand (1,000) AMISOM uniformed personnel by 28th Feb. The agreement was reached at the end of January, but AMISOM has restated its ongoing support for the Somali federal government in its fight against Al Shabaab.

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Control of Yemen territory (July 28th 2019)

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

YemenThe United States conducted a strike recently targeting Qassim al-Rimi, the leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the terror group’s franchise based in Yemen that has repeatedly ex-pressed interest in conducting attacks targeting the United States, a US official told CNN on Friday Jan. 31st. The New York Times reported that three current or former American officials expressed confidence that Rimi had been killed in a January airstrike in Yemen.

UN envoy arrives in Yemen’s capital to facilitate humanitarian medical air bridgeThe United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths ar-rived in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on Sunday Feb. 2nd to facilitate a humanitarian “medical air bridge”, the Houthi rebel-run al-Masirah TV reported. The air bridge, launched by the Saudi-led coalition in cooperation with the World Health Or-ganization, is scheduled to open on Monday. Patients, with chronic diseases which cannot be treated inside Yemen, will be airlifted by UN chartered air flights from Sanaa airport to hospitals in Jordan and Egypt.

Houthis claim 26 rocket attacks in Saudi Arabia last monthYahya Sarea, the spokesman for Yemen’s Houthi military, said that 26 rockets attacks were launched against targets in Saudi Arabia between 25th January and 30th January.

Houthi drone shot down in HodeidahForces loyal to Yemen’s government on Sunday Feb. 2nd an-nounced shooting down a drone belonging to the Houthi re-bels in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. “The air defenses of the third military brigade managed to shoot down a drone of the Iranian-backed Houthi militiamen over the airspace of Du-rayhmi district in Hodeidah,” the joint pro-government forces said in a statement.

UN Experts Say Houthis in Yemen Obtaining Weapons Similar to Iran’sThe Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen are receiving parts for drones and weapons, some with technical characteristics similar to arms manufactured in Iran, in potential violation of a UN arms embargo, UN experts said. The experts did not say in a report to the Security Council whether the weapons were delivered to the Houthis directly by the Iranian government, which has repeatedly denied sending them arms.

Houthis offer talks for Sudan prisoner swap via Red CrossYemen’s Houthi movement is ready to hold talks with Sudan over an exchange of prisoners through the International Com-mittee of the Red Cross (ICRC), al-Masirah, a television channel

run by the Iran-aligned group, said on Thursday Jan. 30th. The Sudanese authorities said last month they had 5,000 troops operating in Yemen as part of a Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis.

Houthis eye oil-rich Marib after making swift gainsFresh from rapid gains in Sanaa province, Yemen’s Houthi movement is seeking to push into wealthy government-held areas of Marib, which holds some of the country’s most im-portant oil and gas resources. In addition to its oil fields and its Safer oil refinery, Marib also is a key producer of natural gas, supplying the entire country.

Yemeni Information Minister Accuses Iran of Pushing Houthis Towards Military EscalationMoammar al-Eryani, the internationally recognized Yemeni government’s information minister, warned on Friday Jan. 31st that the “mullah regime” in Iran continues to disrupt Yemen’s political process and seeks a flare-up, the price of which is be-ing payed by civilians. Eryani said the Houthi military escala-tion in Yemen, since the killing of Iran’s Quds Force Commader Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad last month, is a clear indication on the Iranian role in fueling the conflict in Yemen.

Houthis Say They Fired at Aramco, Other Saudi TargetsYemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement said on Wednesday Jan. 29th it had fired rocket and drone strikes at Saudi targets including Aramco oil facilities, the group’s first claim of such attacks since it offered to halt them four months ago. Few de-tails were given of the precise nature and timing of the attacks, and there was no immediate confirmation from the Saudi au-thorities of any strikes.

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 Feb. 4th 2020). Source: UNHCR

Mediterranean Greece is planning to install a floating barrier in the Aegean Sea to help stop migrant boats reach-ing its islands from Turkey, officials say. The barrier, possibly made of netting and equipped with flashing lights, will cover 1.7 miles (2.7km) and rise above water near the Greek island of Lesbos. Greece’s defence ministry said the project would be an emergency measure. This latest initiative is “aimed at containing the increasing inflows of migrants” on islands such as Lesbos, the defence ministry said.

Police arrest trafficking gangSpanish police on Monday Feb. 3rd said they had arrested 26 suspected smugglers who brought more than 900 migrants to Spain last year, mostly from Algeria, charging 2,500 euros ($2,800) per person. The network used powerful speedboats which set out from the northern port of Oran and crossed the western Mediterranean in three hours, a police statement said.

Cyprus escorts 87 Syrian migrants on boat to shoreCyprus authorities brought 87 irregular Syrian migrants safe-ly to shore after their wooden boat was picked up by radar sailing 20 nautical miles off the island’s south-eastern coast, police said on Monday Feb. 3rd. A Cyprus police spokesman said they located the Syrians off the coast in a 13-metre craft and the boat was escorted to shore at Larnaca on the Medi-terranean island’s southern coast.

Italy accepts 363 migrants and refugees rescued at seaA boat run by Open Arms that had been repeatedly denied permission to dock by both Italy and Malta was granted per-mission late on Saturday Feb. 1st to enter the Sicilian port of Pozzallo. Earlier on Saturday, the charity said it only had food for another two days as it remained stranded in the Medit-eranean with 363 rescued migrants and refugees on board.

Mediterranean refugee deaths drop but experts say risks remainIn the first month of 2020, at least 70 people drowned in the Mediterranean while attempting the perilous journey to Eu-rope, the lowest level since 2014, the start of the refugee cri-sis. But experts have said refugees and migrants continue to face deadly risks and warned against interpreting the num-ber as a positive development.

The current migrant smuggling situation

Despite the high numbers still attempting to cross the Mediter-ranean from Libya and neighbouring countries, there have been some good news stories this week. The arrest of a smuggling gang is welcome news. and reports suggest that a tightening of its borders by Morocco has had a significant impact on reducing migrant numbers attempting to enter Europe. The closure of a UN migrant centre in Tripoli due to the ongoing fightining between rival Libyan forces could potentially mean a further spike in crossing figures. The situation in Libya itself shows no sign of stabilising, with migrants very much on the domes-tic political back burner. However, with the increasing involve-ment of Turkey, it’s likely that the subject will also become further politicised in the coming weeks.

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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

LibyaTurkey’s hydrocarbon exploration drive in the eastern Mediterranean seems to be expanding to the far west of Cyprus toward the southeast of the Greek island of Crete and Libya’s offshore waters after the November deal that Ankara struck with Libya’s Tripoli-based government on de-limiting maritime zones between the two countries. The exploration efforts have been coupled with fresh Turkish moves in the Libyan conflict since the signing of the deal, Al-Monitor reports.

U.N.-brokered Libya military talks begin in GenevaMilitary officers from rival factions in Libya’s conflict began U.N.-led talks in Geneva on Monday Feb. 3rd, aimed at secur-ing a ceasefire after 10 months of fighting on the outskirts of the capital, Tripoli, Reuters reports. The so-called “Libyan Joint Military Commission” includes five senior officers from eastern commander Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) and five officers aligned with the internationally recognized Gov-ernment of National Accord (GNA).

How Africa has been frozen out of Libya peace effortsWith the world’s major powers increasingly involved in Libya, the African Union (AU) has found itself sidelined from initiatives aimed at ending the almost decade-long conflict in the oil-rich state. Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni told the BBC that the AU point-man on Libya, Congo-Brazzaville’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso, was invited at the “last minute” to the 20 January Berlin summit.

Japanese partners propose Libya crude production hikeA Japanese consortium including Japex and Sojitz has con-ducted a study into further development and ramping up pro-duction at three onshore oilfields in Libya. Libya’s state-owned National Oil Company (NOC) revealed the consortium last week gave a detailed presentation of the company’s optimum development plans to boost output from Concession 47 to around 80,000 barrels per day of crude.

Libyan divide deepens as eastern forces shut down oil portsA new weapon is being used as a means of pressure in the Libyan conflict. Namely, Libya’s oil. The Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation (NOC) declared Jan. 18th force majeure due to the closure of oil ports in eastern Libya, which the Libyan National Army (LNA) controls. The NOC accused the LNA, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter, and affiliated Petroleum Facili-ties Guards of giving orders to halt oil exports from Libya’s oil ports of Hariga, Brega, Ras Lanuf, Zueitina and Es Sider in the eastern part of the country. The shutdown has already cost the country an estimated $500 million in lost revenue.

Foreign ministers to meet on Libya in mid-MarchForeign ministers of countries seeking to broker a peace agreement in Libya are due to meet again in the middle of March, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Sunday Feb. 2nd. Foreign powers had agreed at a Jan. 19th summit in Berlin to shore up a shaky truce in Libya.

ENI and Libya NOC’s joint venture is losing $9.4mn per dayLibya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) and ENI, which operate Mellitah Oil & Gas in the country, have seen a loss of produc-tion of 155,000 barrels of oil per day and 145mn standard cubic feet of associated gas per day due to the blockade which has shuttered the nation’s production. According to a statement by NOC, Mellitah Oil & Gas is losing revenue of approximately $9.4mn per day.

Turkey, France engage in war of words over LibyaTurkey has blamed France for instability in Libya after French President Emmanuel Macron accused his Turkish counterpart of failing “to keep his word” to put an end to meddling in the North African country.

Libyan Ambassador to UN at Security Council: UAE, France breached Libya’s arms embargoThe Libyan ambassador to the United Nations, Taher El Sonni, has responded to France’s ambassador to the UN after her speech at the Security Council meeting on Libya by saying that Paris had been named in UN reports as a violator of the arms embargo in Libya, especially by providing Haftar with Javelin missiles.

U.N. Shuts Refugee Center in Libya’s Capital as Truce Crum-blesThe United Nations said on Thursday Jan. 30th it was suspend-ing operations at a refugee center in Libya’s capital because it could become a target while the U.N. envoy said a truce bro-kered by Russia and Turkey was holding “only in name”.

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

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

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Gulf of GuineaNigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said the new Maritime Security Infra-structure will be launched before June. The minister, who spoke on a national television broad-cast yesterday, decried the insecurity challenges in the maritime sector, and promised that with the new security infrastructure, the problem would be solved. “Between now and June, we should be launching. We have assured Nigerians that we will secure our waterways. Those who make money from the maritime security challenges are already battling us. We are ready for the battle, and the president (Muhammadu Buhari) is behind us.

Incidents: 1, One speedboat w/ 6 or 7 armed POB attacked local trad-ing boat at 0940 UTC in position 03:58N - 009:08E, off Limbe, Cameroon. Local authorities launched an operation to localise and arrest perpetrators. Reported (MDAT) 30th Jan.

2. Duty AB onboard a berthed offshore supply vessel noticed an unauthorised person on deck at 0300 UTC in position 04:41.2N - 007:09.4E, Onne Port, Nigeria. Alarm raised and hearing the alerted crew, the person escaped with stolen ship’s properties. Incident reported to Port Authority and a search was carried out. reported (IMB) 29th Jan.

3. Duty crew onboard an anchored tanker carrying out STS operations noticed an unauthorised person near the forecas-tle at 0050 UTC in position 06:16.91N – 003:19.53E, Lagos An-chorage, Nigeria. Alarm sounded. Seeing the alerted crew the person jumped overboard and escaped with his accomplices in a wooden boat. A naval patrol boat arrived at the location, searched the waters around the tanker and remained close to the tanker until daybreak. Nothing reported stolen. Crew and vessel safe. Reported (IMB) 25th Jan.

Three Sea Robbers Arrested In Ondo, 33 Others Declared WantedThe Nigerian Navy has arrested three sea robbers suspected to have links with the pirates that killed four naval ratings in Ondo State. The suspects including Odun Ogunse, Adeojo Sunday and Edema ThankGod were arrested during the week by the team of naval officers in Igbokoda area of the state.

Nigeria acquires security assets to tackle piracyThe Federal Government has secured some security assets to tackle insecurity on the Nigerian waterways, even as it

suspended the controversial Secured Anchorage Area con-tract, Nigerian media reports. Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Petersides, said that with the arrival of some intercep-tors vessels, insecurity would be reduced, while giving assur-ance that 80 per cent of the assets will arrive before June.

Lagos: Pirates Hide In Tarkwa-Bay To Commit CrimesRear Admiral Oladele Daji, the Commander of Operation Awat-se, says Tarkwa-bay is a hideout for sea robbers and officially it is a non-residential area. Daji disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television breakfast programme. Speaking about the eviction of Tarkwa-bay residents, Daji described this as a clearance operation code-named Operation Kuronbe (Yoruba word meaning Leave There).

West African ‘pirates’ are revolutionary rebels, says freed Fili-pino seafarersAbductors who spread fear and terror in West African waters and are responsible for the rising cases of kidnapping in Ni-geria, Cameroon, Benin, among others, are mostly ex-militant members of a group who steal crude oil fromtanker ships and sell it to buyers on the black market. In an interview by The Manila Times, two freed Filipino seafarers said most of their abductors were former high-ranking officials of the Nigerian military who broke away from the government.

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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South East AsiaResponding to questions in Parliament, Singapore’s Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen has indicated that the pirates responsible for recent incidents in the Singapore Strait are not from Singapore. Ng says the number of piracy and sea robbery incidents occurring in the Singapore Strait fluctuates considerably from year to year. For example in 2014, 2015 and 2019 there were 48, 104 and 31 such incidents. But in the remaining years over the last decade, the average was around 12.

Incidents: 1. While underway, two perpetrators were sighted in the en-gine room of Panama-flagged bulk carrier at 0205 LT in posi-tion 01:15.43N - 104:06.77E, in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait. Ship’s alarm was raised and the perpetrators escaped in a small boat from the side of the ship. No confrontation between the perpetra-tors and the crew. Search conducted on board the ship, and some engine spares were reported stolen. Master reported the incident to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) and a safety navigational broadcast was initiated. Re-public of Singapore Navy, Singapore Police Coast Guard and Indonesian authorities were notified. Crew safe and the ship resumed her voyage bound for Hong Kong, China. Reported (ReCAAP) 28th Jan.2. Deck watchmen on routine rounds onboard an anchored tanker noticed the forward storeroom broken into and ships properties missing. On searching the area, footsteps were no-ticed on the forecastle and it was assumed that the thieves gained access via the anchor chain at 0324 UTC in position 03:56.49N – 098:45.24E, Belawan Anchorage, Indonesia. Re-ported (IMB) 26 Jan.3. While at anchor, duty watch on Portugal-flagged container ship sighted one perpetrator and alerted the other crew at 0415 LT in position 14:32.59N - 120:55.27E, South Quarantine Anchor-age Area, Manila, Philippines. Perpetrator jumped overboard and swam towards a motor banca which subsequently fled from the area. Crew conducted an inspection and on check-ing of the ship’s inventory, discover items had been stolen. The crew reported the incident to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Command Center. Reported (ReCAAP) 25 Jan.4. Late Report: While anchored, a product tanker was boarded by two robbers at 2145 UTC in position Kabil Anchorage, Pu-lau Batam, Indonesia. While they were stealing ship’s proper-

ties the crew noticed the robbers and managed to apprehend one of the robbers. The other robber escaped in a waiting boat along with two other accomplices. The crew handed over the robber to the Indonesian Marine police who boarded the ves-sel for investigations. Reported (IMB) 20 Jan.

Maritime Security Task Force plans to restructure amid rise in piracy in Singapore StraitThe Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) plans to restructure to deal with piracy at sea, including beefing up its assets, De-fence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Monday (Feb. 3rd). “That review is expected to be complete in the next few months,” he said in a written reply to a parliamentary question by Mr Chris-topher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC).

5 Indonesian captives spotted in SuluArmy troopers are tracking down five Indonesian fishermen being held captive by Abu Sayyaf bandits after the victims were reportedly spotted in the hinterlands of Maimbung, Sulu. The Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) intensified its intelligence gathering as it gave assurance that the troops are ready to ex-ecute plans to liberate the captives.

Police monitoring kidnap group ‘spotters’ in Sabah watersPolice are monitoring the remaining few hostage ‘spotters’ or lookouts working in cohorts with the kidnap-for-ransom group (KFRG) responsible for the kidnapping incidents in Sabah’s east coast. Sabah Police Commissioner Omar Mammah said the spotters under surveillance were fishermen.

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

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Central and South America Nothing significant to report.

Incidents: 1. Two unauthorised persons from two skiffs came along-side and boarded an anchored tanker at 0818 UTC in position 12:00.15S – 077:10.59W, Callao Anchorage, Peru. Duty watch-man on security rounds noticed the persons on the forecas-tle deck. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the alerted crew, the persons jumped overboard and escaped. Port Au-thorities notified. Nothing reported stolen. Reported (IMB) 28th Jan. (Not shown on chart)2. Late Report:Two robbers armed with a machete were seen on the forecastle of an anchored tanker at 0500 UTC in posi-tion 10:19.02N – 075:31.41W, Cartagena Anchorage, Colombia. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the alerted crew the robbers escaped. Incident reported to the Coast Guard who board the vessel. Nothing was reported stolen. Reported (IMB) 19th Jan.

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.