| Dear Readers,
A mixed maritime bag this week. Investigations into the incident off Sabah last week continue. In case you missed it, a group of 10 men boarded a tug towing a barge and the crew locked themselves away. It's not known whether the boarders were after the barge's palm oil cargo or if it was an attempt to kidnap the crew. Authorities in the region have been quick to deny Abu Sayyaf Group involvement, but the incident does bear their stamp.
This week, ReCAAP organised a meeting in Manila with the Philippine Coast Guard and other stakeholders to discuss the issues surrounding maritime security in the Sulu-Celebes.
In West Africa, a former aid to Nigeria's last president has said that oil theft is fuelling piracy. While there have been few hijackings in 2018, the comments come as a tanker goes missing off Gabon and oil prices rise. It's likely that should oil reach its previous highs, we'll see more petro-crime in the region. Also this week, NIMASA has "lamented" the scale of piracy in Nigeria's waters. If only there was an organisation tasked to prevent it…oh.
In the Indian Ocean Region, Saudi Arabia has released several Iranian fishermen it detained in 2017.
We close with increased concerns over maritime security in the Caribbean, which has allowed the world's headline writers to wheel out Johnny Depp cliches in spades…
Regards,
David Rider
Editor
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