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Date: 21st August 2019Series 13/Issue 191

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 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 191

Contents:

Mast Services

Indian Ocean region

Gulf of Oman Incidents

Somalia

Yemen

Mediterranean

Libya

Gulf of Guinea

South East Asia

Central & South America

Severe Weather Warnings

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21st August 2019

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

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

Issue 191 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.

The SCEG Maritime Security Symposium is on the af-ternoon of Wednesday 11th September 2019 in the Old Library in Lloyd’s of London during the LISW 2019. Reg-istration begins at 1330 and the event starts at 1400 concluding at 1700. This is an important event providing delegates with the opportunity to engage with topical security issues with presentations and panel discussions being led by a series of authoritative speakers. It will pro-vide an excellent networking opportunity with the wider shipping community many of whom who will be in town for the London International Shipping Week (LISW 2019). It is anticipated that the UK Shipping Minister will provide the introduction and set the context for the Symposium and we are also delighted to report that EUNAVFOR will be represented by the Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Giovanni Battista (GB) Piegaja (ITA-N).

We would be delighted if you would join us for this im-portant event. Please contact operations@mast-security.com for registration to the event.

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.

India, France may ink MoU for maritime surveillance satellite during PM trip India and France are expected to conclude MoU on joint pro-duction of satellites for maritime surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as part of the their growing Indo-Pacific partnership during PM Narendra Modi’s summit meet with the French President in Paris on Thursday 22nd.

Seychelles advocates for urgent Maritime Security action to secure the Indian OceanAttending the 39th Ordinary SADC Summit, President Danny Faure raised the attention of member states on challenges be-ing faced by countries in the Western part of the Indian Ocean during his intervention on maritime security. The President urged the African Leaders present to adopt a more proactive strategy and to collectively find common solutions to address the rising maritime security challenges and secure the region.

Iran ready to escort Adrian Darya-1 oil tanker in the GulfIran is ready to dispatch its naval fleet to escort its Adrian Dar-ya-1 oil tanker, which is currently in Gibraltar, Iran’s navy com-mander said on Sunday 18th. “The era of hit and run is over ... if top authorities ask the navy, we are ready to escort out tanker Adrian,” Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi was quoted as saying by Mehr news agency.

Kenya, Somalia trade threats in Indian Ocean disputeAnalysts warn that tension could rise as a U.N. hearing nears on a Kenya-Somali territorial argument. Kenya’s parliament re-cently called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to send troops to the Indian Ocean to protect the country’s territory from what it

calls Somalia’s aggression.

Indian Navy to host multi-lateral exerciseThe Indian Navy would be hosting MILAN, a multilateral na-val exercise, here in March 2020, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain said on Thursday. Addressing a gathering after unfurling the national flag at the naval base here, the Vice-Admiral said the MILAN series of bi-ennial exercises, which commenced in 1995 and conducted at Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC)until last year, was be-ing conducted for the first time on the mainland at the eastern naval command (ENC).

US Navy needs Royal Navy’s help defending against Iran mine threatThe US Navy needs the help of the Royal Navy to deal with the threat posed by Iran planting mines in the Gulf of Oman and Straits of Hormuz, reports suggest. US websites claim the US Navy’s fleet of minesweepers - the main line of defense against one of the oldest and most effective maritime weap-ons - is “so run down it is unable to fulfil its mission”.

Iran dispatches 13 military naval ships over a yearIran dispatched 13 military naval ships to the sea during last Iranian year (started March 21st, 2018), said Commander of Iranian Army’s Navy Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzade. “The se-curity of Iranian’s waters in the past year experienced tense atmosphere and we dispatched 13 naval fleet in to the sea,” he stated.

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

Indian Ocean Region In the first meeting of Indian Ocean Region Association (IORA) Maritime Safety and Security (MSS) Working Group chaired by Sri Lanka and held in Colombo on August 8th and 9th, Sri Lanka reiter-ated its interest in setting up a Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre to complement simi-lar centers in Madagascar and Singapore. Further, Sri Lanka also offered to undertake to support member states in capacity building related to anti-piracy and SAR activities as well as engaging in research connected to specific MSS challenges, a Lankan Foreign Ministry release said.

5MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Current ThreatThe threat has now extended to Iranian acts of detention of UK Flag vessels, and potentialy vessels with UK interests. While the detention of the Stena Impero should be seen for what it is, a tit for tat of the detention of the Grace 1 in Gibraltar, there is a significant risk that the Iranians will attempt to detain more British vessels or, failing that, to extend their detentions to oth-er flag states. UK Flag vessels should heed the UK registry ad-vice to avoid transits of the straits of Hormuz until a diplomatic solution is achieved, or a protection regime is put in place by the US/UK/Coalition. In light of recent developments, we stand by our advice that well placed security personnel acting as additional lookouts and providing pattern of life advice to the Master will provide effective security against Iranian intervention and aggression. It should be remembered that the Iranians are seeking to de-tain or attack the least well protected targets, and seeing that a vessel is maintaining a good lookout, with all the risk that their activity is being reported, the Iranians are likely to look for a softer target.

Other ThreatsLimpet mines attached to hull. Attached below the waterline if the vessel is at anchor. Attached above the waterline if the vessel is underway and making way. The method of delivery when the target vessel is underway is most likely to be via fast boat at night, especially when there is no moon or moon is close to setting. In the attack on FJ anchorage, the delivery method may have been by swimmer delivery vehicles, but is believed more likely that fast boats were used.

PerpetratorsThere are no known non-state actors (terrorists) with the ca-pability to conduct attacks of this complexity in the maritime. We also believe that the recent Russian media led claims that these attacks were conducted by the Americans are implau-sible. While there is no hard evidence that elements of the Iranian military conducted the attacks, there is significant cir-cumstantial evidence to support the idea, given their track re-cord in the region. While it is possible they are aiming to place

mines on parts of the hull that are unlikely to cause casual-ties, there are concerns given the cargo type of the vessels attacked in the GOO, that a major conflagration and total ship loss with a major loss of life, could occur.

Threat MitigationFor now at least, maintaining deniability is important to the Iranians. It is therefore, unlikely that they will press home an attack if they believe personnel on the vessel have spotted them. Furthermore, any evidence captured by the crew of the suspect attack / attack will undermine plausible deniability. A good lookout is key to preventing and deterring any ap-proach by a fast patrol vessel / Rhib. Security personnel have a key role to play in providing additional lookouts, advising the Master on pattern of life and threat reduction, and in having personnel in place to ward off a potential attack.

Armed teams provide the greatest degree of deterrence and ultimately, protection, in the event that an approach is pressed home with an attempt to place limpet mines. It should be noted however:

• Many ports in the Middle East do not allow vessels with arms on board to enter port. • Shooting at possible Iranian military could escalate the situ-ation.Other Mitigation Preventing injury from explosions near the waterline – keep crew away/minimise time spent in areas close to the water-line, typically the engine control room.

A full range of BMP 5 measures including both passive protec-tion and reporting. Aim to locate potential hostile craft early, and make an approach as difficult as possible.

MAST PackageMAST can offer armed and unarmed security teams equipped with Gen 2+ optical night sight

Please contact Mast Operations for a proposal tailored to your specific security requirements.

Gulf of Oman Incidents/Stena Impero The arrest of the Stena Impero might have been avoided if the crew had been ready to shelter in the citadel. We would advise that this should be a consideration or all vessels transiting the SOH as much as it is for vessels in the HRA. Masters should be encouraged to keep the crew well trained in BMP 5 measures and drills, and to rehearse use of the citadel and the ability to deny intruders control from the bridge.

The latest images released by the Pentagon and CENTCOM purport to show blast damage and a suspected IRGC patrol boat and personnel in proximity to the MV Kokuka Courageous. Iran denies the accusations.

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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

SomaliaAt least 21 Al Shabaab militants are reported killed in Somalia’s southern province of Lower Sha-belle late Thursday 15th, as part of a renewed military campaign, the military sources said. Quot-ing military officials, the Somali National Army (SNA) radio network, reported that Somalian forces backed by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) launched two airstrikes, on the al-Qaeda affiliate, Al Shabaab bases, in the towns of Mubarak and Janale in the region.

Air raid in Somalia killed al-Shabab fighter, says USThe US military says it conducted an air raid targeting an al-Shabab fighter in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow, Somalia. In a statement, US Africa Command says the air attack was carried out on Tuesday 20th in coordination with the federal govern-ment of Somalia.

Qatar launches construction work in central Somalia portQatar announced on Monday 19th the launch of a project to build the port Hobyo in the Mudug region in central Somalia. This came during a joint press conference, held in the capital Mogadishu, by the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim bin Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, and the Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport in Somalia, Mariam Owis Jama.

Attack on military base kills 2 soldiersAt least two government forces were killed and two more in-jured when Al Shabaab militants attacked a military base in southwest Somalia on Saturday 17th, officials said. The attack took place in Daynunay town, some 25 kilometers (16 miles) south of Baidoa city, the administrative capital of Southwest State.

Somalia, AU begin audit of firms operating in airport to boost securityThe African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the gov-ernment has started a physical audit of companies and organi-zations operating within the Aden Abdulle International Airport

protected area to enhance security.

UPDF commander in Somalia visits captured areaThe commander of the Ugandan troops in Somalia, Brig. Mi-chael Kabango, has visited his troops in the newly captured town of Awdheegle in the North West of Somalia. According to the statement issued by the UPDF, the purpose of the vis-it was to “morale boost and congratulate the joint forces of UPDF and Somali National Army for liberating the town and repulsing the Al shabaab fighters who attempted to attack the forces using two vehicle borne improvised explosive devices.”

Police kill 4 tried to assassinate official in MogadishuAn official says Somali police shot and killed four suspected militants attempted to assassinate a senior government offi-cial in the capital, Mogadishu on Friday 16th, Garowe Online reports. Zakia Hussein, deputy police commander, said the armed assailants, including a young woman, were gunned down by the Somali security forces in Howlwadaag district during a brief shootout.

Al Shabaab claim attack on US forcesAl Shabaab claimed to attack a vehicle carrying US forces with an improvised explosive device (IED) near Kismayo, a port city and the capital of Jubbaland State in southern Somalia, on Au-gust 15th. The attack is unconfirmed.

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Control of Yemen territory (September 25th 2018)

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 refusal of Yemeni southern separatists to hand back control of Aden port has delayed a sum-mit in Saudi Arabia that is due to discuss reshuffling Yemen’s ousted government to include the separatists and end the stand-off, three Yemeni sources said. Saudi Arabia called for the meeting after the separatist forces on Aug. 10th seized military camps and other state institutions in the southern port city, the temporary seat of the Saudi-backed government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Saudi-Led coalition attacks military targets in Houthi-con-trolled SanaaThe Saudi-led coalition in Yemen launched an attack on Mon-day 19th on military targets in the capital Sanaa, which is con-trolled by the Houthi movement, Saudi state TV reported. The coalition advised civilians to stay away from the targeted ar-eas, state TV added.

British-made bomb parts discovered in YemenFragments of British-made bomb parts were uncovered at the site of an air raid in Yemen, according to the United Nations. A UN panel of experts discovered the British laser guidance mis-sile systems on a site near the capital Sanaa where four bombs were dropped in September 2016, The Guardian reported.

Yemen rebel attack sparks fire in Saudi gas plantYemen’s Houthi group said on Saturday 17th it had attacked oil facilities at Shayba in Saudi Arabia with 10 drones, according to a tweet by the Iran-aligned movement’s Masirah TV. The facili-ties attacked included a refinery and oil storage, it said. The attack sparked a fire in a Saudi gas plant Saturday but caused no casualties or disruption to production, state-owned energy company Saudi Aramco said.

Fighting kill 30 in TaizOn Sunday 18th, a security official informed Xinhua that as many as 30 people were murdered as a result of conflicts rag-ing for the fourth consecutive day between rival pro-govern-ment military and security factions in Yemen’s southwestern province of Taiz.

Separatists withdraw from key posts in Yemen’s AdenSouthern separatists have vacated key public buildings in Yemen’s port city of Aden that they had recently captured from forces loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, exposing divisions within the Saudi-Emirati coalition supporting the in-ternationally-recognised government.

Yemen Interior Ministry suspends work in AdenYemen’s Interior Ministry announced work suspension at its

main headquarters in the southern port city of Aden, a week after forces of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized the strategic city. The official website of the Aden-based Yem-en’s Interior Ministry said that the decision to suspend work starts “from Saturday 17th until further notice”, Xinhua reported.

UK receives report documenting Saudi cover-up of unlawful Yemen airstrikesAn international law group has submitted new evidence to the UK government alleging that the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has covered up evidence of its unlawful airstrikes on civilian targets. The allegations will put pressure on the UK govern-ment as it prepares its response to a court order directing it to reconsider all existing British government licences to export arms to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen.

Houthi rebels attack Saudi Abha airportYemen’s Houthi rebels said they attacked Saudi Abha airport on Friday 16th evening, using multiple bomb-laden drones, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. The attacks targeted vital facilities in the airport and caused a suspension of the air traf-fic, the television quoted a statement from the group’s military spokesman Yahya Sarea as saying.

Coalition talks begin with STC in AdenA delegation of Saudi and Emirati officials arrived in the de facto capital of Yemen, Aden, on August 15th in an effort to convince the Transitional Political Council for the South (STC), a southern Yemeni secessionist group, to participate in negotiations with the internationally recognized government of President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

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 2016-2019. 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 Aug 20th 2019). Source: UNHCR

Mediterranean Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has agreed to let 27 unaccompanied teenagers leave a migrant rescue ship amid a row between the far-right leader and his fellow ministers. The minors were allowed to disembark on the Italian island of Lampedusa after more than sixteen days at sea. More than 100 migrants remain on board the Spanish rescue ship Open Arms.

Migrant Ship Stranded Off Italy in ‘Crisis,’ Aid Group SaysAn aid group operating a search-and-rescue ship that has been stranded off the coast of Italy for weeks with more than 100 migrants on board said on Sunday that the situation had become a “full humanitarian crisis.”

Turkish authorities seize 330 migrantsTurkish authorities have seized a total of 330 migrants at-tempting to cross to the Greek island of Lesbos, officials said on Sunday 18th. The coastguard in the Kucukkuyu area of the western Canakkale province said it had conducted seven operations to pick up migrants trying to make the crossing since Saturday evening.

Libyan Navy Rescues Over 300 Migrants On MediterraneanOver 300 migrants have been rescued by Libyan navy and one body recovered in separate operations off the coast. Navy spokesman General Ayoub Kacem said nine children out of 57 migrants in a wooden boat were rescued on Sat-urday 17th about 40 nautical miles from the town of Zuwara, west of Tripoli.

1 in 6 Migrants Died Crossing Central Mediterranean to Italy in 2019At least 843 migrants died while crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe between January 1 and August 8, 2019. The majority of those, 578, died while attempting to cross at the “central Mediterranean” route, which extends from Libya to Italy.

The current migrant smuggling situationThe situation off Italy remains tense, as the country continues to block efforts by NGOs to disembark migrants. Despite the current political situation in Italy itself, minister Salvini has not allowed domestic issues to distract him. As a result, there has been some movement from other regional states, with Spain offering the use of its ports but on a limited basis. Crossings this week have again seen significant numbers of migrants rescued at sea, with the Libyan authorities continu-ing activities in their waters. Mortality rates remain high, with the International Organization for Migration’s Missing Migrants Project stating that as many as 1 in 6 migrants dies attempting to reach Europe.

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Control of Northern Libyan territory (Nov. 7th 2018)

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

LibyaThe United Nations mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has dismissed claims by strongman Khalifa Haf-tar that a government-controlled airport bombed by his forces in recent days housed military infrastructure. On Thursday 14th and Friday 15th, Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) launched air strikes on Zuwara airport in western Libya, targeting what it said was a hangar “which houses Turkish drones and their ammunition”.

US Embassy warns against ongoing attacks on civilian air-portsThe United States Embassy in Libya warned on Monday 19th against the frequent attacks on civil aviation facilities, empha-sizing that these attacks represent a major concern. US Am-bassador Richard Norland said that his country considers the escalation of attacks on civilian airports in Libya as a grave threat that will bring disastrous consequences, according to the US embassy’s Facebook page.

Haftar Vows to Defeat Any Plot to Set up Foreign BasesCommander of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar, vowed that his forces will defeat any “plot to build foreign bases that support and finance terrorism in Libya.” In his first comments on the LNA’s destruction of a Turkish military base in Misra-ta city, he revealed that he personally oversaw the airstrikes against Turkish operations centers.

UN-recognized government downs UAE droneLibya’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) on Monday 19th announced it had downed an armed drone belonging to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in northwestern Misrata city. The armed UAE drone was hit by ground defense systems during an operation by GNA-led forces, according to a statement. The statement read that the armed drone was one of two aircraft targeting planes and infrastructure in Mis-rata’s airport.

IMO Workshop on Maritime Security in LibyaInternational Maritime Organization (IMO) maritime security training is underway for Libyan port facility security officers, managers and designated authority officials (18th-22nd Au-gust). According to the UN body, the workshop, delivered in English and in Arabic, aims to assist the Libyan Government in enhanced security risk assessments and controls on maritime transport through its territory. Libya’s General Staff calls for probing torture marks on bod-ies returned by Haftar’s forcesThe Libyan General Staff called on all judicial authorities and

the public prosecutor as well as the military prosecutor to start investigating the torture marks on the bodies returned by Khalifa Haftar’s forces to the Red Crescent, asking them to bring the perpetrators to justice in local and international courts.

South Protection Force kicks out Haftar’s forces from MurzuqThe commander of the South Protection Force, which is loyal to Presidential Council’s Sabha military zone, Hassan Mousa said they had controlled Murzuq in southern Libya and kicked out Khalifa Haftar’s forces after over two weeks of deadly clashes. On Sunday 18th, Haftar’s general command said its warplanes struck some areas in Murzuq on Saturday and sources from the town confirmed that there were deaths and injuries from both sides due to the strikes.

US ambassador to Libya holds intense meetings with various parties of conflictThe newly appointed US ambassador to Libya, Richard Nor-land said that he has continued to meet with Libyan officials since taking office on 14th August, expressing his appreciation for having the opportunity to introduce himself to a number of Libyan officials and to dialogue with relevant parties, as part of the efforts to broaden communication with all Libyans.

Libya reopens southern airport closed since 2014Libya reopened on Friday 16th its airport in the main south-ern city of Sebha which had been closed since January 2014 due to security problems, residents said. A commercial flight landed from the main eastern city of Benghazi, they said.

Misrata elders condemn crime acts of Haftar’s militiasMisrata Council of Wisemen and Elders has condemned the criminal acts committed by warlord Khalifa Haftar and his mi-litias, the most recent of which was the abduction and torture of 12 Libyans by a militia in Tarhouna known as the “Kaniyat”.

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 GuineaNine Chinese and eight Ukrainian seamen were abducted on Thursday 15th when two merchant vessels came under attack in Cameroonian waters, sources said Friday 16th. “Seventeen Chinese and Ukrainians were kidnapped... (of whom) nine (are) Chinese who were abducted on one of the ships,” an official in the port of Douala told AFP. A Cameroonian security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the account.

Incidents: 1. Underway MV reported attacked at 0415 UTC in position 03:33N - 006:40E, around 60nm SSW of Bonny, Nigeria. Crew and vessel are now safe. Reported (MDAT) 17th Aug.2. Armed persons boarded Antigua and Barbuda-flagged gen-eral cargo ship at 0230 UTC in position 03:52N - 009:31E, Doua-la Anchorage, Cameroon. Cameroon navy dispatched a patrol boat. When the crew emerged from hiding, it was reported that eight crew members (from total of 12 Asians and Europe-ans) were missing. Investigations are ongoing. Reported (IMB/MDAT) 15th Aug.3. Armed persons boarded Liberia-flagged bulk carrier at0118 UTC in position 03:52.40N - 009:31.12E, Douala Anchorage, Cameroon. Crew into hiding. The robbers stole crew and ship property and escaped. Cameroon navy dispatched a patrol boat. When the crew (total of 21 Asians) emerged from hiding, it was reported that nine crew members were missing. Investi-gations are ongoing. Reported (IMB/MDAT) 15th Aug.4. Underway Panama-flagged tanker approached by suspi-cious boat and fired upon at 1050 UTC in position 04:09.60N - 008:20.50E, around 23nm SSE of Okposo, Nigeria. Alarm raised, SSAS activated and crew mustered in the citadel. Mas-ter took evasive actions, increased speed, resulting in the boat abandoning the attack. Vessel and crew safe. Nigerian Navy HQ, MRCC Lagos and NIMASA informed. Reported (IMB) 14th Aug.

NIMASA opens command centre for Deep Blue ProjectThe Command, Control, Computer Communication and infor-mation otherwise known as the C4i Centre of the Deep Blue Project has commenced operations on a 24 hour basis at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety agency, NIMASA.The C4i Centre located at the NIMASA Maritime Resource De-velopment Facility in Kirikiri Lagos is where tactical and strate-

gic decisions for the operational workflow of all the platforms of the project will emanate from.

NIMASA Invests in Maritime SecurityThe Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NI-MASA) reports it has graduated another 298 surveillance offic-ers in basic training course for the implementation of the In-tegrated Security and Waterway Protection Infrastructure also known as the Deep Blue Project.

Stakeholders List Challenges Facing Use Of Eastern PortsMaritime stakeholders in Nigeria on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at a public hearing by ad hoc committee of House of Representatives advanced reasons why Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar and Onitsha Inland ports are not being put to maximum use. The stakeholders which included civil socie-ties, MDAs, and security agencies listed inadequate security, shallow channels, poor and obsolete equipment, high silta-tion, lack of road infrastructure, lack of stable electricity sup-ply, hostile attitude of host communities, lack of appropriate incentives and total neglect as the major challenges.

Pipeline surveillance: Ex N/Delta agitators demand jobFormer militants and agitators in the Niger Delta region are calling on the federal government to fulfil its promise to en-gage them with pipeline surveillance jobs. In a statement made available to The Nation, the former militants said their patience is wearing out, having waited on the presidency for three years to no avail.

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

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

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Theft

South East AsiaA China Coast Guard ship as well as 27 Chinese and Vietnamese fishing vessels have been spot-ted in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the West Philippine Sea, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (Wescom) based in Palawan. The AFP Wescom has been monitoring the Chinese coast guard vessel since August 1st, lingering near Ayungin Shoal, where the Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre is aground as a permanent outpost.

Incidents: 1. Whilst underway to Port Klang from Sarawak, an unknown number of perpetrators boarded Malaysia-flagged barge, towed by Malaysia-flagged tug boat from a small boat at 2051 LT in position 01:13.66N - 103:30.08E, approx 4.3nm South of Tanjung Piai, Johor, Malaysia. They stole some scrap metal and ropes from the barge before escaping. The master raised the alarm and reported the incident to Singapore’s VTIS via the VHF. The crew was safe. Reported (ReCAAP) 12 Aug. 2. Duty AB on routine rounds onboard Singapore-flagged berthed container ship noticed two robbers armed with knives trying to break into the steering gear room at 1930 UTC in po-sition 10:44.3N – 106:46.2E, Phuoc Long Mooring Buoy No. 03, Vietnam. Duty Officer notified. Alarm raised and crew mus-tered. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped. Nothing reported stolen. Reported (IMB) 11 Aug. (Not shown on chart)3. LATE Report: Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) while on routine patrol sighted and detained a small wooden boat without registration number along with three crew suspected of sea theft at 0830 LT in position 01:15.21N - 103:28.42E, off Tanjung Piai, Johor, Malaysia. Upon inspect-ing the boat, they found more than two tons of scrap metal believed to be stolen from a barge towed by tug boat, Tekun 16217. MMEA detained the wooden boat and the three sus-pects for further investigation. Reported (ReCAAP) 3 Aug. (Not shown on chart)

Police hurt in ambush by suspected Abu Sayyaf fighters in SuluTwo police officers were hurt in an ambush by suspected fight-ers of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu on Monday 19th. The Police Regional Office in Bangsamoro Autonomous Re-gion in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BARMM) identified the victims as Cpl. Angelo Canapi and Pat. Nijar Awwalon, both from the

2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Sulu Provincial Police Office.

ESSCom investigates report on alleged sea robberyThe Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) has con-firmed receiving a report of a fisherman being shot while at-tempting to escape from a sea robbery near the Indonesian border on Sunday 18th. It is understood that a Filipino fisher-man was shot in the right arm during an attempted robbery off Tawau waters at 12.30 pm. The 60-year-old man and his 27-year-old son were fishing when three masked men, who were in a fibre-glass boat, approached them and pointed a gun at them before ordering them to stop their boat.

Sabah to administer islandsSabah will be granted administrative powers over Pulau Si-padan and Ligitan, specifically relating to tourism, under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). The management of the islands was taken over by the National Security Council fol-lowing the kidnapping of 21 people by the Abu Sayyaf terror group in 2000.

PCG hosts regional maritime security exerciseThe Philippine Coast Guard is hosting a maritime security ex-ercise that aims to address threats to maritime security in the ASEAN region. The Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercise is conducted yearly to address problems such as illegal fishing, smuggling, illegal drugs, piracy and hu-man trafficking, the PCG said. The event will run until Aug. 30th.

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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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Western North Pacific Ocean and South China Sea

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