1

Date: 08th July 2020Series 15/Issue 236

Weekly Security & Risk Report

2MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

This report is copyright of Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST) © 2020. All rights reserved.

This report is intended to provide general information about maritime intelligence topics but does not provide individual advice and the creators assume no liability for the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of any information contained herein, or though links you will find in it. Furthermore, using this report or sending MAST emails does not create a service provider- client relation-ship. It is intended only as an introduction to ideas and concepts only. It should not be treated as a definitive guide, nor should it be considered to cover every area of concern or regarded as an advice.

If you copy from this report, you have to refer to Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST) Ltd as the source of the copied material. You may not, except with our express written permission, commercially exploit the content.

Maritime

Counter piracy

ISPS services

Training

K&R and Ship Arrest

Risk Consulting

Due Diligence

Risk management

Crisis management

Training

Technical Yacht Security

System Design, Installation and Maintenance

Technical Consultancy

Cyber Risk Consultancy

TSCM Sweeping Services

Physical and Asset Protection

Close Protection

Residential Security

Security Chauffeurs

Events and Clubs

Training

“Making the world a safer place to live and work”

MAST ServicesMAST has the experience, capability and global presence to provide comprehensive

support to our clients.

3

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 operations; and

• Reporting and analysis of incidents of terrorism, piracy 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 products and services, including; political and economic risk analysis, de-tailed 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 pertain-ing 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 236

Contents:

Mast Services

Indian Ocean region

Somalia

Yemen

Mediterranean

Libya

Gulf of Guinea

South East Asia

Central & South America

Severe Weather Warnings

Page

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

08th July 2020

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

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

Issue 236 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.

Coronavirus Port and Terminal RestrictionsThe situation remains extremely fluid. For the most recent updates on closures and re-openings, MAST Security recommends using the Wilhemsen Covid-19 Global Port Restrictions Map. Please Click Here to visit their site.

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

Hijack

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity Theft

Incidents: 1. Late Report: Duty AB on routine rounds onboard anchored Liberia-flagged bulk carrier noticed a mooring line was cut and missing at 2115 UTC in position 14:23.20S - 040:41.90E, Nacala Anchorage, Mozambique. Alarm raised, PA announce-ment made, and a search was carried out onboard the ship. Port Control notified and a patrol boat was dispatched to the location. Reported (IMB) 30th June. (Not shown on chart.)

Iranian fishing fleet accused of illegally plundering Yemeni watersThe Yemeni government has accused Iranian fishermen of making illegal catches off Yemen’s Socotra archipelago and harassing local crews. Dozens of Iranian boats were allegedly spotted crossing into Yemeni waters 9 miles west of Socotra in the latest of a series of violations of fishing rights, Arab News reported on July 6th..

US Prosecutors Try to Seize Iranian Fuel Destined for Ven-ezuela via CourtThe US has made another attempt to stop the oil trade be-tween Venezuela and Iran as federal prosecutors have filed a new suit seeking to seize gasoline that Tehran has purport-edly sent to Caracas in four tankers, The Wall Street Journal reported. According to the newspaper, Washington is looking to both stop the delivery of gasoline to Venezuela as well as the payments for the shipped resources, which will allegedly be used to fund the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces that the US has desig-nated as a “terrorist organisation”.

Indian Navy increases monitoring of vessels in Indian OceanWith increased Chinese combativeness, the Indian Navy has increased the monitoring of vessels in the Indian Ocean. Indian navy, as are the other services -- Army and Air Force, is in the heightened state of alert in the aftermath of the Galwan valley incident. The Indian Navy has steadily developed the capa-bility of being able to monitor movements through the Indian Ocean region, and interdict them as and when required.

Italian Marines ‘entitled To Immunity’ In India Shooting: Tri-bunalTwo Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen in 2012 were entitled to immunity from prosecution, a tribunal ruled Thursday 2nd in a case that poisoned ties between the two countries. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague said it had decided by three votes to two “that the Ma-rines are entitled to immunity in relation to the acts that they committed during the incident”.

India eyes acquisition of Predator-B drones from USIn the wake of multiple prolonged stand-offs with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in eastern Ladakh, India has conveyed to the US its renewed interest in the medium-alti-tude long-endurance (MALE) armed Predator-B drone, which not only collects intelligence through surveillance and recon-naissance but also locates and destroys the target with mis-siles or laser-guided bombs.

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

Indian Ocean Region Tehran has built underground missile cities along the country’s entire southern shores, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy chief said on Sunday 5th, warning of a “nightmare for Iran’s enemies”. “Iran has established underground onshore and offshore missile cities all along the coasts of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that would be a nightmare for Iran’s enemies,” Rear Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri told the Sobh-e Sadeq weekly. He emphasized that the IRGC Navy has full informa-tion command in the Persian Gulf and is precisely aware of and monitors the location of every ship from its entrance through the Strait of Hormuz to its exit.

5

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. The trade in illegal charcoal by terror and crime groups contin-ues, although the Combined Maritime Forces and UN are work-ing 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 attrac-tive opportunities, and were seen to be increasingly active in the last inter-monsoon period. Recent incidents off Somalia have highlighted the robust protections offered by both BMP5 and well trained, vigilant armed protection teams. Illegal fishing has returned 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

SomaliaA bomb explosion at a restaurant in the southern Somali town of Baidoa killed six people on July 4th, officials told the BBC. There was also a suicide bomb attack close to the port of the capital, Mogadishu, which injured at least seven. Militant group Al Shabaab said it was behind both inci-dents. The militants, who are allied to al Qaeda, said that in Baidoa they were targeting tax col-lectors, who were holding a meeting at the restaurant, and soldiers.

Somalia takes on Iran after huge illegal fishing operationSomalia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has asked Iran to disclose more information on its fishing fleet’s activities in the Northwest Indian Ocean region after several of them were spotted in exclusive economic zones of Somalia and Yemen. Somalia Fisheries Minister Abdilahi Warsame said there is increasing concern of illegal fishing in Somalia’s EEZ by foreign fishing vessels, the majority of which are from the Iranian ports of Konarak, Bandar-e, Tiyab and Ramin.

Al Shabaab Kills Regional LawmakerA regional Somali lawmaker has been abducted and killed by al-Shabab militants near the town of Bal’ad, 30 kilometers north of Mogadishu. Mohamed Mohamud Siyad was traveling in a vehicle from Jowhar town to the capital Mogadishu when he was abducted on Sunday 5th, a security source told VOA Somali.

Alarm over Somalia election dispute growsA top pro-government religious scholar has warned of chaos should the country’s political stakeholders fail to reach con-sensus on the 2020/21 elections. Sheikh Ali Wajis, who spoke in Mogadishu on Juy 3rd, said political leaders must find a so-lution for the impasse over the election, warning that failure to do so will endanger the country’s stability after the current government’s term of office ends.

Senior Al-Shabaab leader surrenders to SNA in southern So-maliaAnother top Al Shabaab commander surrendered to the So-mali National Army [SNA] on Thursday 2nd in southern Soma-lia, state-owned SONNA reported, adding to an ever-growing number of the militants who are renouncing the extremism ideology in Somalia. Mohamed Abukar Mohamed Dhagole alias Ato defected from the al Qaeda linked group after almost a decade of fighting.NISA officers clash with SNA troopsPolice officers attached to the elite National Intelligence Se-curity Agency [NISA] clashed with troops from Somali National Army SNA] on Wednesday 1st at Dhusamareb, officials said, in yet another incident which exposed the strained relation-ship between government forces. An eyewitness said the two sides started firing indiscriminately against each other, but the immediate reason to their latest standoff could not be estab-lished.

Al Shabaab claims to have targeted PresidentAl Shabaab militants fired mortar shells at a sports stadium in the Somali capital Mogadishu’s Wardheegle district on June 30th. The newly opened Mogadishu Stadium formerly served as a military base. Al Shabaab claimed targeting Somali Presi-dent Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo’s motorcade on the same day. President Farmaajo had visited the stadium’s opening ceremony prior to the attack.

6

Control of Yemen territory (June 1st 20209)

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

YemenThree oil tankers have arrived in the rebel-held Hodeidah port in western Yemen, the Houthi rebels said on Saturday 4th. In a tweet, Yahya Sharaf al-Din, deputy chief of the Red Sea Ports Corporation, said the tanker Syosset loaded with 29,134 tons of gasoline had arrived at the port. The Sea Heart tanker, which carries 27,000 tons of diesel, and Hafiz tanker loaded with 26,953 tons of diesel, also docked at the port, he said. On Thursday 2nd, the Yemeni government agreed to allow the entry of four fuel vessels to the rebel-held port upon a request from UN special en-voy Martin Griffiths.

Government begins talks with STCThe internationally recognized Yemeni government of Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the Transitional Political Council of the South (STC) reportedly began peace talks in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. President Hadi urged the STC to abide by the November 2019 Riyadh Agreement in late June.

al Qaeda redeploys its elements in Yemen’s Shabwahal Qaeda terrorist organization has redeployed a number of el-ements in directorates of Shabwah province, southern Yemen, media outlets reported on Monday 6th. According to Yemen News Portal, about 150 al Qaeda operatives had reopened camps for the group in the directorates of Bayhan, al-Said and Mayfa’a.

Masam project clears 1,092 mines in Yemen during first week of JulyThe King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s project for clearing mines (Masam) in Yemen demined 1,092 mines during the first week of July 2020, including 3 antipersonnel mines, 298 anti-tanks, 744 unexploded ordnance and 17 ex-plosive devices. Since the beginning of the project, as many as 172,823 mines have been dismantled after they had been planted by the Iran-backed Houthi militias.

Yemeni gov’t records 17 new COVID-19 cases, 1,265 in total The total number of COVID-19 cases in Yemen’s government-controlled provinces increased to 1,265 on Sunday 5th, after 17 new ones were confirmed. Meanwhile during the past 24 hours, the number of recoveries in the government-controlled areas increased to 552 since the outbreak of the novel coro-navirus on April 10, the Yemeni Health Ministry said in a brief press statement.

Yemen Calls for UN Meeting on Aging Oil-Storage FacilityYemen urged the United Nations Security Council to hold a special session to discuss an aging oil tanker that risks leaking and causing an environmental disaster. The condition of the Safer Oil floating oil-storage and offloading vessel in the Red Sea is deteriorating and requires urgent inspection, Foreign

Minister Mohammed al-Hadhrami said, according to the gov-ernment-controlled Saba news agency, Bloomberg reported on July 4th.

UN Calls on Yemeni Parties to Support CeasefireUN Special envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths discussed on Thursday 2nd with representatives of Yemeni parties United Nations proposals for agreements on a nationwide ceasefire, key economic and humanitarian measures to alleviate the suf-fering of the people and support the country’s ability to re-spond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the urgent resumption of the political process.

Arab Coalition announces new offensive against Yemen’s HouthisAttacks on civilians in Saudi Arabia are a red line, the spokes-man for the Saudi-led Coalition told Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Thursday 2nd after an increase in attacks against the kingdom. The Saudi-led Coalition launched a new military operation against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Wednesday, days after the first reports of missiles fired at Riyadh in several weeks. The Saudi official said the rebels were not capable of creating their own ballistic missiles and drones and said Iran was behind the attacks on the kingdom.

Congress revives bid to pull US out of Yemen warThe Democratic-held House is taking another stab at ending US support for the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The House Armed Services Committee voted 31-25 on Wednesday 1st to add language to a key de-fense authorization bill that would ban the Trump administra-tion from using funds to provide the Saudi coalition with logis-tical support in its war against the Houthis.

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.

7

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 July 7th 2020). Source: UNHCR

Mediterranean Italy has given permission for 180 migrants rescued from the Mediterranean to disembark from a charity-run ship. The decision comes after a stand-off that lasted more than a week. The Ocean Viking, operated by rescue group SOS Méditerranée, declared a state of emergency on Friday, citing fears for the safety of both migrants and crew. The migrants are set to be transferred to a government vessel in Sicily on Monday and will quarantine for 14 days, the BBC reported on July 6th.

Migrants stranded on animal cargo ship off Malta52 people rescued from the Mediterranean on Saturday 4th remain stranded on a livestock transport ship, MV Talia. Both Italy and Malta have denied them permission to disembark. Rooda Hasa Ali from Somalia issued this desperate plea from onboard the MV Talia: “We have had so many troubles, please save us, let us on land,” she said, according to an Al Jazeera report published Monday. The 22-year-old spent half her life in refugee camps in East Africa before deciding to seek a better life in Germany, the report said.

102 illegal immigrants rescued off western Libyan coastThe International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Thurs-day that the Libyan Coast Guard had rescued 102 illegal im-migrants, including women and children, off the country’s western coast. “A group of 102 migrants, among them 12 women and 20 children, were returned to Libya by the coast guard this evening. IOM staff are at the disembarkation point to provide assistance,” the IOM tweeted later on Thursday 2nd.

Migrants test positive for coronavirus after arriving in ItalyEight migrants who disembarked in Sicily this week af-ter being rescued in the Mediterranean by a charity boat are in quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus, the group Mediterranea said. The eight migrants were part of a group of 43 people aboard the humanitarian vessel Mare Jonio who disembarked at the Sicilian port of Augusta on Wednesday 1st.

The current migrant smuggling situation

Despite the ongoing pandemic and the issues it is causing in em-barkation countries like Libya, we have seen significant numbers once again attempt to cross the Mediterranean. The pandemic response in Libya is allowing smuggling groups to continue op-erations, while the Coast Guard and Navy maintain a presence offshore. The incident involving the MV Talia again highlights the issues facing merchant ships transiting the region, as it now finds itself unable to disembark rescued migrants. The risks to crew and operating costs incurred remain thorny subjects which have not been addressed by the EU, while Masters remain obliged to come to the rescue of vessels in need.

8

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

LibyaFrance has temporarily pulled out of a Nato security operation amid a major row with Turkey. The defence ministry said France had suspended its role in Operation Sea Guardian, accusing Turkey of violating an arms embargo against Libya. It comes weeks after Turkish ships allegedly targeted a French warship in the Mediterranean - something Ankara strongly denies.

France concedes Haftar in Libya is a ‘liability’France has come to realize that warlord Khalifa Haftar in Lib-ya is a “liability,” according to the Financial Times on Monday 6th. France was the only European country to back Haftar against the internationally-recognized government in Tripoli, which has recently been boosted by Turkey’s support that has changed the course of the civil war there.

Libya arrests Daesh/ISIS cell west of TripoliLibyan forces have dismantled a Daesh/ISIS cell in Az-Zawi-yah city, west of the capital Tripoli, according to the Interior Ministry on Monday 6th. A ministry statement said the cell was planning “to carry out terrorist attacks and plots to harm secu-rity and stability and spread chaos in the country”. The number of suspects arrested was not reported.

Libya’s Oil Exports Are Set To Fall Even FurtherLibya is set to export even less crude oil in July than it did in June, while its state oil firm continues negotiations to end the blockade that has been stifling exports since January. Ac-cording to a preliminary loading program seen by Bloomberg, Libya is expected to export this month just two tankers full of 600,000 barrels of crude each, for a total of 1.2 million barrels of crude oil for the whole month of July. This month’s exports will be lower than the 1.8 million barrels which Libya shipped for the entire month of June.

Libya condemns attack on recaptured airbaseThe UN-recognised government in Libya has condemned overnight air raids on an important airbase recaptured last month from the renegade general Khalifa Haftar. The govern-ment said the attack on the Al-Watiya base was carried out by a foreign airforce - but did not say which country it suspected. Haftar is backed by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emir-ates, the BBC reported on July 6th.

‘Foreigners enter Sidra oil field’: Libyan oil companyThe head of Libya’s national oil company has said foreign forc-es entered the Sidra Oil Port in the east of the country and that they are working to make it a military center. The Chairman of

the National Oil Corporation Mustafa Sanallah late on Sunday 5th told Libya Al-Ahrar televised channel that the El Sharara oil field was occupied by the Russian security company Wagner’s mercenaries 25 days ago.

Seven to face court in Crete over Libya ammunition haulA court in Hania, Crete, was due on Monday 6th to hear the testimony of seven men accused of smuggling illegal weap-ons and other products from Libya to the Greek island. The suspects – six Greeks and one foreign national aged between 45 and 61 years old – were arrested on Thursday 2ndafter the coast guard received a tipoff indicating that contraband was being carried on their 11-meter, Panama-flagged speed boat.

Libya needs elections, says Algeria’s presidentAlgerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said on Saturday 4th that Libya must organise elections through its transitional authorities as a political solution to its ongoing conflict. Speak-ing to France 24 on Saturday, Tebboune said that “we need to consult with the Libyan people through its institutions,” includ-ing tribal ones and others, and hold elections.

Russia to reopen embassy in LibyaRussia will reopen its embassy in Libya although it will be temporarily based in Tunisia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday 3rd. “I would like to inform you that we have decided to reopen the Russian Embassy in Libya, which at this stage will be headed by the charge d’affairs, Mr Jamshed Boltaev,” he said at a meeting with Aguila Saleh, Speaker of the pro-Haftar House of Representatives in the eastern city of Tobruk. “It will temporarily be based in Tunisia, but I want to emphasize that his functions suggest represent-ing Russia on all territory Libya.”

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

9

4°30’

5°00’

4°00’

3°30’

7°00’6°30’ 7°30’5°00’ 5°30’ 6°00’ 8°00’4°30’

6°00’

5°30’

3°30’ 4°00’

Hijack

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

1 2

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity

Theft

2

Gulf of GuineaFive Chinese sailors were abducted by pirates last week from a cargo ship in Nigerian waters, the Chinese foreign ministry said Monday. “On July 2nd... a Singapore cargo ship was attacked by pirates in Nigerian waters and five Chinese sailors were kidnapped,” the foreign ministry in Beijing said. “The Chinese embassy in Nigeria has activated its emergency mechanism, requesting for Nigeria to take effective measures to search for the Chinese personnel who were taken.”

Incidents: 1. Singapore general cargo ship reported attacked and board-ed by armed men at 2220 UTC in position 03:49N – 002:25E around 152nm South of Cotonou, Benin. Initial reports indicate five crew kidnapped. Awaiting confirmation. Reported (MDAT/Source) 2nd July.

2. Singapore-flagged FPSO tanker reported attacked and boarded by armed men at 0345 UTC in position 03:52N – 006:59E, around 35nm SSW of Bonny, Nigeria. Three boats approached the vessel, one acting as decoy as the other two boats attacked the tanker, resulting in the boarding. Nine Ni-gerian nationals crew were kidnapped. No further crew injuries occurred. Reported (MDAT/BW Offshore) 2nd July.

Court Jails Three Oil Thieves in LagosA Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State south west Ni-geria has convicted and sentenced three men Edward Alade, Emmanuel Amqawei and Kennedy Segbenu to one year im-prisonment each for illegally dealing in petroleum products. The defendants were arraigned before the court on 3 July 2020 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on three-count charges bordering of illegally dealing in petroleum products.

Five crew kidnapped by pirates from PIL cargoship offshore BeninFive seafarers have been kidnapped by pirates from a Pa-cific International Lines (PIL) multipurpose vessel Kota Budi offshore Benin. PIL confirmed that the Singapore-registered, 27,379 dwt Kota Budi had been attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea on 2 July at 23-35hrs (local time). The shipowner said that five Chinese crew members, including the Master, had been taken and presumed kidnapped, Seatrade Maritime re-

ported on July 3rd.

Pirates Attack FPSO and Kidnap 9BW Offshore has revealed that its FPSO Sendje Berge was at-tacked by pirates offshore Nigeria on July 2 at approximately 4:20am local time. Nine Nigerian nationals were kidnapped during the attack, the company outlined. None of those re-maining onboard the FPSO suffered physical injuries, accord-ing to BW Offshore. The company said it is cooperating with local authorities, represented on site by the Nigerian Navy.

Maritime training: NAVY, NIMASA to align curriculaPlans are at an advanced stage to harmonise the training pro-cedures of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the Nigerian Navy for the improved safety and se-curity of the country’s maritime space.

Imported fuel reportedly of lower quality compared to ille-gally-refined fuelA recent study by the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) revealed that black market fuel refined in the creeks of the Ni-ger Delta tends to have higher quality than the legally import-ed petrol and diesel imported into Nigeria from Europe. Even though Nigeria has the capacity to pump over 2 million bar-rels a day of high grade “Bonny Light” crude, Nigeria’s refining capacity has been heavily reduced due to the dysfunctional state of four of Nigeria’s refineries which are managed by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Nairametrics reported.

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

1

1

Hijack

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity

Theft

South East AsiaThe Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has again warned of a possible kidnap-for-ransom attempt by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in Sabah and vessels in the Celebes sea area. On July 2nd, the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Roberry Against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP ISC) received information from the Philippine Coast Guard (ReCAAP Focal Point) that five members of the Abu Sayyaf were sighted in Barangay Sipangkot, Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi on a speedboat with white with yellow and orange stripes powered by 250HP Yamaha engine.

Incidents: 1. Four robbers armed with knives boarded Panama-flagged Reefer at 1640 UTC in position 01:16.37N - 104:19.10E, Sin-gapore Strait. Duty crew spotted the robbers and raised the alarm. All crew mustered. Seeing the crew alertness, the rob-bers escaped with ship’s spares. Incident reported to VTIS. Re-ported (IMB) 1st July.

U.S., Chinese Navies Hold Dueling Exercises in the South China SeaThe U.S. and Chinese navies are holding competing naval ex-ercises in the South China Sea, as the Beijing accuses Wash-ington of militarizing the region. On Saturday 4th, the U.S. Na-vy’s Reagan and Nimitz carrier strike groups transited from the Philippine Sea to the South China Sea and held the first dual-carrier drills there since 2014.

Philippine Coast Guard Files Homicide Charges Over Bulker CollisionThe Philippine Coast Guard has filed criminal charges against the operator and the officers of the bulker Vienna Wood N, which collided with the Philippine fishing vessel Liberty 5 on June 27th. The smaller vessel sank after the collision, and all 14 people on board remain missing. After an initial investigation, the PCG has registered charges of “reckless imprudence re-sulting in multiple homicide and damage to property” with the prosecutor’s office for Occidental Mindoro, Maritime Executive reported.

5 ASG terrorists killed in Sulu clashes with Scout RangersFive members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed, while several others, including two soldiers, were wounded in an encounter between the rebel group and military in three separate locations in Patikul, Sulu. Maj. Gen. Corelito Vinluan,

11th Division commander, said soldiers from the First Brigade encountered the terrorists in three different locations — Sitio Libug Wani, Barangay Bakung, Sitio Lumbaan, Barangay Bu-hanginan and Sitio Bakud Uwak, Barangay Tanum in Patikul, Sulu, late Monday 6th afternoon.

Curfew in ESSZone waters extended to July 19thThe curfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sa-bah Security Zone (ESSZone) is extended to July 19th. Sabah Police Commissioner, Datuk Zaini Jass said with the extension, residents in the areas involved were not allowed to enter the waters and to stay home between 6pm and 6am during the curfew period.

Tourists barred from entering Cebu island due to armed menAuthorities barred local and foreign tourists from entering Ol-ango Island, a known bird sanctuary in Cebu, after residents reported encountering masked armed men. However, authori-ties had not confirmed nor deny the presence of the armed men and if those armed men are members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

MMEA: Location for forward operating base in northern wa-ters of Langkawi identifiedThe Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has identified a location in Kubang Badak here to serve as the for-ward operating base to monitor the northern waters of the is-land. MMEA director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Zubil Mat Som said the base would help improve the country’s maritime border control and prevent encroachment by illegal immi-grants.

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

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.

12

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.