Maritime Security Review 21 Luglio 2017

MSR Newsletter

The latest news for July 21st 2017

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the end of another working week. We made it.
Another interesting week on the water, with piracy and security in the foreground as always. We begin with new advice on transiting the waters around Yemen from the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), who have issued new guidance for the merchant shipping community. There has been a spate of suspicious approaches on merchant ships by groups of armed men in skiffs in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the fear is that another ship may be attacked as the Yemen conflict spills over.
Remaining in the region, there are calls in America to include Bangladesh in maritime security plans, which would not only send a message to China as they increase regional influence, but would also reassure other nations in the Indian Ocean region.
In West Africa, the Nigerian Navy is claiming victory after pirates boarded and then fled a merchant ship off Port Harcourt. At the same time, NIMASA has called on the Nigerian Army to assist in its fight against piracy and other maritime crimes in the Delta.
In Southeast Asia, while the threat of kidnap by Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists has been reduced in recent months, ReCAAP have suggested that ships may want to re-route to avoid the Sulu-Celebes area following the deaths of three Vietnamese hostages being held by the terror group.
Finally, we look to the Mediterranean, as a group attempting to stop NGO migrant rescue efforts ends up having their vessel held by Egyptian authorities as questions are asked about rumoured armed guards and incomplete paperwork. The group's aims are clear and they will no doubt be closely monitored by the Italian Coast Guard, EUNAVFOR Med and the Libyans, who will not want them in their TTW.

Regards,
David Rider
Editor

Maritime Security Review 14 Luglio 2017

MSR Newsletter

The latest news for July 14th 2017

Dear Readers,

Firstly, a happy Fete Nationale Day to French readers, who are joined by President Trump for their celebrations (I say this, as I'm currently in France myself and need to keep in with the locals).
We begin this week with news from the Indian Ocean and what would appear to be a response from Iran to the seizure of one of its vessels by Saudi Arabia recently. Yes, Iran has seized a Saudi vessel. We await the diplomatic fallout.
Staying in the region, the US and UN are investigating reports that some pirate leaders, notably kidnap and hijack specialist Mohamed Garfanje, are also supporting terrorists. The US has long been keen to 'prove' the piracy-terrorism nexus, as it would see a significant change in the way pirates are legally categorised. Whether the report will reflect potential clan and familial relationships between the groups is unclear at this stage.
In Southeast Asia, as Philippine Armed Forces continue to press Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists, we note that two more crew have been released. Sadly, the terrorists also killed a third Vietnamese crewman this week.
In Europe, the Irish Navy is said to be considering expanding its role in the Mediterranean and joining the EU Operation Sophia. However, this week, UK politicians dubbed the mission a failure and recommended not renewing it. Also this week, further news on the launch of a 'vigilante' force who will patrol the Mediterranean to keep track of migrants and NGO rescuers. I can't see that all going horribly wrong at all. No, sir.
In the Black Sea, a recent GPS spoofing incident has led to a US MARAD alert and a number of questions as to who could have been behind it. I wonder…

Regards,
David Rider
Editor

Maritime Security Review 7 Luglio 2017

MSR Newsletter

The latest news for July 7th 2017

Dear Readers,

A week of good and bad news for Asia, as the US Navy joins the Philippines on anti-piracy/counter terror patrols. Unfortunately, the Armed Forces of the Philippines also found the bodies of two Vietnamese crewmen, beheaded by Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists.
While the US Navy presence will certainly help security confidence, the ongoing patrols with Indonesia and Malaysia may be a more lasting presence in the Sulu-Celebes seas.
In Europe, the Mediterranean migrant crisis shows no signs of abating, with thousands more refugees making the trip in the last week. Sadly, there have been reports of multiple deaths as migrants drown due to poorly constructed vessels. Moves from the EU to bring NGO rescue missions under the control of the Italian and Libyan Coast Guards have been poorly received amid accusations from some NGOs that the move risks lives in the Med.
In the Indian Ocean, the IMB has issued its latest piracy report. As always, we would add the caveat that the IMB only reports incidents logged directly with them by Masters or shipping company CSOs. As a result, the figures the IMB release do not include incidents reported to other bodies, such as ReCAAP or media reports. For a full picture of piracy and armed robbery at sea, one would need to collate all of these incidents.
Remaining in the region, there are reports that Houthi rebels in Yemen have been laying sea mines off the port of Hodeidah, which the Saudi coalition have been hoping to wrest from Houthi control for some time. The reports are unconfirmed but given their history, it's entirely possible.
We end in Nigeria, where things have been relatively quiet of late. A shoot-out between the armed forces and a group of Niger Delta militants who were attempting to kidnap a senior oil worker has put paid to that, however. Whether this was the first move in a new campaign of violence by militants remains to be seen.

Regards,
David Rider
Editor