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(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report

25 December 2017 - 24 January 2018

24 January 2018

(U) Table of Contents

1. (U) Scope Note

2. (U) Warnings and Advisories
3. (U) Summary
4. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories
5. (U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region
6. (U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources
7. (U) Appendix B: Terminology and References

1. (U) Scope Note

1. (U) The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides information on threats to merchant vessels, the shipping
industry, and other maritime stakeholders worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily to inform
merchant mariners and naval forces.

2. (U) Warnings and Advisories:

A. (U) MDAT-GoG Advisory 004/JAN/18: Category: Attack. Description: On 24 January 2018 at 0615 UTC, a bulk carrier
was attacked by 2 speed boats with 2/3 armed men in position 03:39N - 006:37.2E (40 nm south of Bonny Fairway Buoy,
Nigeria). The speed boats approached the ship on the starboard beam and fired towards MV. Vessel increased speed and
speed boats turned away. Vessel and crew are safe. Mariners are advised to exercise caution in this area. Any queries
regarding this Warning Notice ring 0033 298 22 88 88 for further information. MDAT-GOG Watchkeeper email:
watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org, Emergency Tel: +33(0) 298 22 88 88.

B. (U) U.S. MARITIME ADVISORY 2018-004: Threat Type: Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom. Geographic
Area: Gulf of Guinea. Reference: This advisory updates and supersedes U.S. Maritime Advisory 2017-005. Issue:
Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom continues to serve as a significant threat to U.S. flagged operators with
vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). Almost 100 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at
sea occurred in the GoG region in 2017. Kidnappings for ransom (KFR), attacks, and boardings to steal valuables from the
ships and crews are the most common types of incidents. While there were 29 kidnapping incidents in 2017, no tankers
were hijacked for cargo theft (refined petroleum products) during this period. U.S. flagged operators with ships operating
in or through the GoG Voluntary Reporting Area designated on Maritime Security Chart Q6114 at
http://www.shipping.nato.int/nsc/media-centre/downloads/maritime-security-charts.aspx should transit with extreme
caution and vigilance. Most KFR operations in the GoG occur around the Niger Delta with vessels (tankers, tugs, offshore

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supply vessels, and cargo vessels) frequently being targeted due to their high value foreign crewmembers. Motherships
have been used to support operations up to 150 nautical miles offshore. Criminals/armed KFR groups have been known to
fire upon targeted vessels prior to attempting to board them. KFR groups generally kidnap two to six high value
crewmembers to include the master, chief engineer, and any Western crewmembers. Kidnapped crewmembers are
normally taken ashore in the Niger Delta region where KFR groups demand ransom payments in exchange for the safe
return of the crewmembers. Guidance: Additional information on this threat, including specific recommendations for
vessels transiting the area, is available on the NATO Shipping Centre website at:
http://www.shipping.nato.int/nsc/operations/global-maritime-risk/west-africagulf-of-guinea.aspx. U.S. flag vessels
anchoring, transiting or operating in this region must comply with their U.S. Coast Guard approved Vessel Security Plans.
Contact Information: The Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade-Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG) is operated by the navies of
France and the United Kingdom. This center receives reports, shares important updates, provides guidance on vessel
operating patterns, and reviews security risks with the Gulf of Guinea maritime community. Note that MDAT-GOG does
not coordinate responses to vessels under attack. MDAT-GoG can be contacted via email at: watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org
or telephone at +33(0)2 98 22 88 88. For any questions about this advisory, contact the MARAD Office of Maritime
Security at: MaradSecurity@dot.gov. Supplemental information may also be found on the MARAD Office of Maritime
Security website at: https://www.marad.dot.gov/environment-and-safety/office-of-security/.

C. (U) U.S. MARITIME ADVISORY 2018-003: Threat Type: Piracy/Armed Robbery/Terrorism. Geographic Area: Sulu and
Celebes Seas. Reference: This advisory updates and supersedes U.S. Maritime Advisory 2017-004. Issue: Piracy/Armed
Robbery/Terrorism in the Sulu and Celebes Seas. U.S. flagged vessels are advised to remain vigilant and adhere to the
counter-piracy annex of their approved Vessel Security Plan when transiting the Sulu and Celebes Seas, in light of recent
boardings and kidnappings for ransom that have taken place in those areas. In 2017, there were at least 15 reported
boardings, attacks, or kidnappings in the Sulu and Celebes Seas. All five kidnapping incidents were reportedly linked to the
Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a violent Islamic separatist group operating in the southern Philippines. Specific case details are
available at the Office of Naval Intelligence’s “Worldwide Threat to Shipping” and “Piracy Analysis and Warnings” website
at www.oni.navy.mil/intelligence-community/piracy. The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and
Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia’s (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Center is also concerned about the increase in the
number of incidents in the area. From March 2016 through November 2017, a total of 59 crewmembers had been
abducted in this area and of these, six killed and 10 are still in captivity. Thus far, no U.S. flagged vessels have been
involved in these incidents. Guidance: ReCAAP advises all ships to avoid anchoring outside port limit areas and to exercise
enhanced vigilance, maintain strict look-outs (particularly during hours of darkness), and report all incidents to the
relevant authorities immediately. Additional information on this threat, including specific recommendations for vessels
transiting the area, is available on the ReCAAP website at www.recaap.org.

D. (U) U.S. MARITIME ADVISORY 2018-002: Threat Type: Piracy. Geographic Area: Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea,
Indian Ocean, and Gulf of Oman. This advisory updates and supersedes U.S. Maritime Advisory 2017-003. Reference: (a)
U.S. Maritime Alert 2018-001A. Issue: Piracy continues to pose a significant threat in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian
Sea, Indian Ocean, and Gulf of Oman. Specific case details are available at the Office of Naval Intelligence’s “Worldwide
Threat to Shipping” and “Piracy Analysis and Warnings” website at www.oni.navy.mil/intelligence-community/piracy.
Guidance: U.S. flagged commercial vessels operating within the High Risk Area, as defined in U.S. Coast Guard MARSEC
Directive 104-6, are required to comply with this MARSEC Directive due to the high risk of piracy, kidnapping, hijacking,
and armed robbery while operating in the region. Vessels are further advised to:
- Navigate at least 200 nautical miles off the Somali coast to the extent practicable;
- Follow the guidance in Best Management Practices 4, BMP4 (www.mschoa.org/docs/public-documents/bmp4-low-
res_sept_5_2011.pdf?sfvrsn=0); and
- Comply with their Coast Guard approved Vessel Security Plan annex on counter piracy.
Vessels operating in this region are also advised to establish contact with the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Office
(UKMTO). UKMTO advisories, warnings, and contact info are available at www.ukmto.org.
U.S. flagged vessels that observe suspicious activity in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and Gulf of
Oman are advised to report such suspicious activity or any hostile or potentially hostile action to the U.S. Naval Forces
Central Command Battle Watch Captain, phone: +11 973 1785 3879, email: cusnc.bwc@me.navy.mil. All suspicious

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activities and events must also be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center at 800-424-8802 in
accordance with 33 C.F.R. 101.305.

E. (U) U.S. MARITIME ALERT 2018-001A: Threat Type: Threatening approaches. Geographic area: southern Red Sea. Two
suspicious maritime incidents have been reported in the southern Red Sea in the past two weeks. One incident occurred in
the vicinity of position 14:46.00N - 041:58.00E on 6 January 2018 as three separate merchant vessels were approached by
three small boats, each with up to six armed men aboard. The second incident occurred in the vicinity of 12:31.00N –
043:29.10E on 9 January 2018 as a merchant vessel was approached by two small boats, each with five men aboard.
Exercise caution when transiting this area. Further updates may follow as new information is obtained. Additional details
may be found at: https://www.ukmto.org/indian-ocean/recent-incidents. This alert will automatically expire on January 25,
2018. Any general inquiries regarding UKMTO reporting and support should be directed to UKMTO at:
https://www.ukmto.org/indian-ocean/contacts. Additionally, U.S. flagged commercial vessels transiting this area should
make contact with the U.S. Fifth Fleet Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) detachment via the Fifth
Fleet Battle Watch Captain at phone: +011 973 1785 3879 or email: cusnc.bwc@me.navy.mil.

F. (U) MDAT-GoG Warning 001/JAN/2018: Category: Attack. Description: On 24 January 2018 at 09:00Z, a merchant
tanker was attacked near position 03:30N - 006:20E (50 nm south from Brass, Nigeria). Navies onboard merchant
tanker repelled the attack. Vessels transiting the area are advised to exercise extreme caution. Any queries regarding this
Warning Notice ring 0033 298 22 88 88 for further information. MDAT-GOG Watchkeeper email:
watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org, Emergency Tel: +33(0) 298 22 88 88.

G. (U) MDAT-GoG Advisory Notice 003/JAN/18: Category: Attempted Theft. Description: On 23 January 2018 at
0530 UTC in position 09:30N - 013:43W (Conakry Port Terminal), two people seen trying to climb up ship's line (astern
line, one was found holding / climbing on rope and another guy was found swimming in the water), when they were
discovered; the guy on the rope jumped on the water and both of them swam away from the ship. Mariners are advised to
exercise caution in this area. Any queries regarding this Warning Notice ring 0033 298 22 88 88 for further information.
This advisory is not classified as a Maritime Security Event and has not been verified by MDAT-GoG. This information is
provided to inform maritime situational awareness for mariners operating in the region. MDAT-GoG is not responsible for
the accuracy of this reporting. MDAT-GOG Watchkeeper email: watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org, Emergency Tel: +33(0) 298
22 88 88.

3. (U) Summary

A. (U) NIGERIA: On 24 January, a merchant tanker was attacked 50 nm south of Brass.

B. (U) NIGERIA: On 24 January, a bulk carrier was attacked by 2 speed boats with 2 to 3 armed men in each boat 40 nm
south of Bonny Fairway Buoy.

C. (U) GUINEA: On 23 January, two persons attempted to board a cargo vessel in Conakry Port Terminal.

D. (U) NIGERIA: On 22 January, gunmen killed two policemen Bayelsa State.

E. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 21 January, the bulk carrier NACC VALBELLA was attacked 90 miles southeast of the
Yemeni port of Mukalla.

F. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 20 January, a small boat made a suspicious approach against a Panama-flagged merchant vessel
under escort by a Chinese Navy frigate.

G. (U) INDONESIA: On 20 January, two robbers boarded an anchored vessel in Muara Berau Anchorage.

H. (U) SOMALIA: On 19 January, the Federal Government of Somalia welcomed home forty-one of its citizens who had

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been in Indian jails for piracy related offences.

I. (U) INDONESIA: On 19 January, two fishermen kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf militants over a year ago were freed by their
captors.

J. (U) BRAZIL: On 18 January, authorities confiscated 444 shipping containers in a probe into illegal logging in the Amazon.

K. (U) UNITED STATES: On 17 January, authorities in the port of Miami announced they had seized 550 pounds of cocaine
aboard a cargo vessel.

L. (U) PANAMA: On 14 January, an in-the-water and not locked dinghy went missing from a sailing yacht anchored in San
Blas Wasaladup.

M. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 January, two robbers boarded a tanker carrying out STS operations 6.24 nm south of Lagos.

N. (U) VIETNAM: On 1 January, a robber boarded an anchored vessel during cargo operations in Cam Pha Loading
Anchorage.

4. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for January and February 2018. To apply for JMSDF escort,
visit http://www.mlit.go.jp/en/maritime/maritime_fr2_000000.html, please contact directly the Anti-Piracy Contact and
Coordination Office, Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MILT), Japan: Tel:
+81-3-5253-8932; Fax: +81-3-5253-1643. Email: INFO-PIRACY@mlit.go.jp. (MSCHOA)

B. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Korean Navy convoy schedule for January and February 2018. All merchant vessels wishing to join
the convoy group must submit their application forms directly to the ROK naval warship carrying out the mission. The ROK
MTG can be reached directly at 001-646-466-9522. Email: chunghae25@navy.mil. (MSCHOA)

C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for January and February 2018. For further information, please e-
mail planavy@navy.mil.cn, or call Tel 86 10 652 92218; or 86 10 652 92296. (MSCHOA)

D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for January and February 2018. To register, email
gcommcentre-dgs@nic.in; or visit ww.dgshipping.com. Telephone numbers for contact are: 91-22-22614646 or fax at 91-
22-22613636. (MSCHOA)

5. (U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region

(U) This section lists reports of active violence against shipping, credible threats to shipping, or the potential for a
situation to develop into a direct threat to shipping over the last 30 days. Every effort is made to ensure that
incidents are not double-counted. In the event double-counting is detected, or an incident is later found to be
different than initially reported, an explanation of the cancellation of the inaccurate report will be made in at least
one message prior to dropping the erroneous report.

A. (U) NORTH AMERICA:

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Figure 1. North America Piracy and Maritime

Crime

1. (U) UNITED STATES: On 17 January, authorities in the port of Miami announced they had seized 550 pounds of cocaine
aboard a cargo vessel. Officers examining cargo during an inspection discovered the cocaine in bags hidden behind metal
tubing. The bags contained 225 packages containing a white powdery substance that field tested positive for the presence
of cocaine. (www.cbp.gov/newsroom)

2. (U) MEXICO: On 30 December, authorities in the port of Lazaro Cardenas found six cases attached to the hull
below the waterline of the container ship CAP PALLISER, containing 285 kilos of cocaine. (www.fleetmon.com)

B. (U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:

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Figure 2. Central America – Caribbean –

South America Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) BRAZIL: On 18 January, authorities 444 confiscated shipping containers in a probe into illegal logging in the Amazon.
The seizures were made as part of an investigation at ports in the riverside city of Manaus, which serves as a key
transshipment point for illegal timber. (www.pviltd.com)

2. (U) PANAMA: On 14 January, an in-the-water and not locked dinghy went missing from a sailing yacht anchored in San
Blas Wasaladup. There were 2 separate lines securing the dinghy to the yacht, both were untied at the dinghy end but still
secure to the yacht. The owners conducted an extensive search that day and did not locate the dinghy. A $100 reward was
offered. Three days later the dinghy was found and the promised reward paid. (www.safetyandsecuritynet.org)

3. (U) HAITI: On 10 January, a robber boarded an anchored tanker near position 18:34N - 072:22W, Port Au Prince
Anchorage, stole ship’s properties and escaped unseen. The theft was discovered by duty crewman during routine rounds.
(IMB)

4. (U) VENEZUELA: On 3 January, five robbers in a small boat boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position 10:11N -
064:50W, Puerto Jose Anchorage. Duty crewman saw the robbers and reported to the duty officer, who raised the alarm.
Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped. Master contacted port control but did not receive a reply. (IMB)

5. (U) CARIBBEAN SEA: On 1 January, after several months of investigation by Dominican Republic, United States, and
Netherlands authorities, the product tanker KALUBA was intercepted, boarded, and taken to Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic for further inspection. Authorities discovered 1,570 kilograms of cocaine and detained the 12
crewmembers. Tanker was transiting from Aruba to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. (www.fleetmon.com)

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6. (U) COLOMBIA: On 29 December, three robbers in a wooden boat boarded a general cargo vessel anchored
near position 10:19N - 075:31W, Cartagena Inner Anchorage. Duty crewman noticed the robbers and raised the
alarm. Seeing the crew’s alertness, the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s properties. Incident reported to port
control. (IMB)

7. (U) BRAZIL: On 28 December, four robbers armed with a handgun boarded a small sailing yacht in the
approaches to the port of Santos late at night. The robbers methodically ransacked the boat, taking almost anything
they could carry and escaped. Report made to local authorities. (www.noonsite.com)

8. (U) VENEZUELA: On 28 December, a monohull sailing yacht with 2 persons onboard departed Puerto La Cruz,
Venezuela for Grenada. During the mid-morning hours, 2 miles off the Paria Peninsula, and approximately 10 miles east of
Cabo Tres Puntas, an open fishing boat with 6 men approached, displaying and firing multiple long guns into the air. The
yacht crew immediately altered course and turned offshore. When the pirates came closer, the crew fired their flare gun
directly at the pirates, nearly hit them. The pirates, apparently understanding the fire hazard a burning flare would pose to
their gasoline-fueled boat turned away, dropped back and made no further approaches. The yacht then headed northwest
and made safe port at Porlamar, Margarita, where a report was made to local officials. (www.noonsite.com)

9. (U) COSTA RICA: On 25 December, Costa Rica Drug Control Police and the National Coast Guard Service
found numerous packages of cocaine weighing one ton attached to a GPS buoy in the waters of the Pacific 70
nautical miles from the coast. Authorities took the cocaine to the Golfito Port. (www.news.co.cr)

C. (U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.

D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE - BALTIC: No current incidents to report.

E. (U) MEDITERRANEAN - BLACK SEA:

1. (U) GREECE: On 10 January, Greek authorities seized a Tanzania-flagged ship heading for Libya and carrying materials
used to make explosives, the coast guard said. The vessel was detected sailing near the Greek island of Crete when
intercepted. Authorities found 29 shipping containers carrying materials including ammonium nitrate, non-electric
detonators and 11 empty liquefied petroleum gas tanks. According to the ship’s bill of lading, the cargo had been loaded
in the Turkish ports of Mersin and Iskenderum and was destined for Djibouti and Oman. But the coast guard said a
preliminary investigation found the captain had been ordered by the vessel’s owner to sail to the Libyan city of Misrata to
unload and deliver the entire cargo. No shipping maps were found on the ship’s logbook for the Djibouti and Oman areas,
the coast guard said. The eight-member crew has been arrested. (www.hellenicshippingnews.com; Reuters)

2. (U) MEDITERRANEAN SEA: According to the Italian Coast Guard, between 25 and 26 December, more than
250 migrants were rescued in the central Mediterranean. The migrants traveling in one large rubber dinghy and two
small boats were rescued in three missions by two ships, one from a non-governmental organization.
(www.marinelink.com/news)

F. (U) WEST AFRICA

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Figure 3. West Africa Piracy and Maritime

Crime

1. (U) NIGERIA: On 24 January, a merchant tanker was attacked near position 03:30N - 006:20E, 50 nm south of Brass.
Nigerian Navy troops onboard the ship repelled the attack. (MDAT-GoG)

2. (U) NIGERIA: On 24 January, a bulk carrier was attacked by 2 speed boats with 2 to 3 armed men in each boat near
position 03:39N - 006:37E, 40 nm south of Bonny Fairway Buoy. The speed boats approached the ship on the starboard
beam and fired towards the vessel, which increased speed and the speed boats turned away. Vessel and crew are sage.
(MDAT-GoG)

3. (U) GUINEA: On 23 January, two persons attempted to board a cargo vessel near position 09:30N - 013:43W, Conakry
Port Terminal. They were spotted trying to climb up ship's line. Alarm raised. Both jumped back in the water and
swam away from the ship. (MDAT-GoG)

4. (U) NIGERIA: On 22 January, gunmen killed two policemen in Bayelsa State. The gunmen suspected to be sea pirates
attacked Ogbia Marine Police Division in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Two police officers were shot
dead during the attack which lasted for over three hours. The gunmen also stole two 200 horse power outboard engines
in the attack on the police station and escaped into the creeks in gunboats. (www. dailypost.ng)

5. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 January, a duty crewman onboard a tanker carrying out STS operations near position
06:17N - 003:19E, around 6.24 nm south of Lagos, spotted two robbers near the forecastle. Alarm was raised and crew was
mustered. Seeing the crew’s alertness, the robbers escaped empty-handed. Incident reported to the Nigerian Navy. (IMB)

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6. (U) NIGERIA: On 15 January, ship’s crew preparing for STS cargo operations onboard an anchored tanker near position
06:18N - 003:23E, Lagos Outer Anchorage, noticed robbers attempting to board the vessel and informed the duty officer
who raised the alarm. All crew mustered on the bridge, ship’s whistle sounded continuously, additional lights switched on,
search lights directed towards the robbers and all access to the accommodation secured. Seeing the crew’s alertness, the
robbers aborted the boarding and moved away. (IMB)

7. (U) LIBERIA: On 11 January, the Liberian Coast Guard detained a Chinese fishing trawler for illegally fishing in Liberia's
waters. Authorities arrested an unspecified number of Chinese officers, Liberia and Sierra Leone nationals working
on the ship. (www.pviltd.com)

8. (U) BENIN: On 10 January, Marshall Islands-flagged merchant tanker BARRETT was hijacked off the coast of Benin,
according to a press release from the owner. On 16 January, the ship and crew were located in safe condition at Lagos
Anchorage. (IMB; www.marinelink.com, www.safety4sea.com; www.sguardian.com)

9. (U) NIGERIA: On 9 January, two suspicious people boarded a tanker near position 06:18N - 003:23E, 5.5 nm south
of Lagos. Crew spotted the individuals and they jumped overboard. Nothing was stolen. Vessel and crew are safe. (MDAT-
GOG)

10. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 January, armed men kidnapped an accountant with the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring
Board. He was reportedly taken by speed boats to an unknown destination along the Brass-Nembe waterways. The
kidnappers have contacted the family and demanded a large ransom to set him free. (www.vanguardngr.com)

11. (U) NIGERIA: On 2 January, two passenger boats were boarded by armed men in the Farupa creeks area of the
Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. Cash and personal property were stolen from the passengers. (www.sguardian.com)

G. (U) ARABIAN GULF: No current incidents to report.

H. (U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA - RED SEA:

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Figure 4. Indian Ocean - East Africa Red Sea

Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 21 January, the bulk carrier NACC VALBELLA was headed from the Suez Canal to Cebu, in
the Philippines, when the ship was attacked. The incident occurred 90 miles southeast of the Yemeni port of Mukalla in the
Gulf of Aden. The vessel’s owner, said all crew were unharmed. A security company spokesman said that a mothership
pulling two skiffs approached the vessel’s bow. The vessel’s armed guards initially fired a flare, but the mothership
continued its approach. The guards then fired an aerial warning shot, to which the assailants responded with shots. The
perpetrators fled after the guards fired a second warning shot. (www.lss-sapu.com)

2. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 20 January, a small boat made a suspicious approach against a Panama-flagged merchant vessel
under escort by a Chinese Navy frigate. The naval vessel fired warning flares and positioned itself for further action against
the small boat, forcing it to turn away. (www.ng.chinamil.com.cn)

3. (U) SOMALIA: On 19 January, the Federal Government of Somalia welcomed home forty-one of its citizens who had
been in Indian jails for piracy related offences. The returnees were welcomed at the Mogadishu International Airport by
Prime Minister Ali Hassan Khayre and other government officials. It was reported that the former detainees were released
after negotiations between the two countries. (www.africanews.com)

4. (U) MALDIVES: On 13 January, the Maldives Defense Minister announced security forces had seized two fishing boats

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which authorities deemed to be suspected pirate vessels off the coast of the Maldives. The suspects had reportedly
hoisted Somali flags on the boats to falsify their identity and had crossed into Maldives’ waters without proper
authorization. A total of 21 individuals were apprehended between 12-13 January. All those detained were later identified
as Thai nationals. (www.pviltd.com)

5. (U) RED SEA: On 9 January, a merchant vessel reported a suspicious approach near position 12:31N - 043:29E,
southeast of the Bab el Mandeb Strait. Five persons were reported in each boat. (UKMTO)

6. (U) RED SEA: On 6 January three different merchant ships reported being approached by three 7-10-meter rigid gray-
hulled boats, each carrying up to 6 armed persons in each boat, near position 14:46N - 04158E, west of Hodeida, Yemen.
(UKMTO)

I. (U) EAST ASIA - SOUTHEAST ASIA - INDIAN SUBCONTINENT:

Figure 5. East Asia – Southeast Asia – Indian

Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) INDONESIA: On 20 January, two robbers boarded an anchored vessel near position 00:15S - 117:35E, Muara Berau
Anchorage. The robbers stole ship properties and escaped. The theft was noticed by crew on routine rounds. Port control
informed. (IMB)

2. (U) VIETNAM: On 1 January, a robber boarded an anchored vessel during cargo operations near position 20:57N -
107:19E, Cam Pha Loading Anchorage, and escape with stolen ship properties. The theft was noticed by crew on routine
rounds. (IMB)
3. (U) INDONESIA: On 19 January, two fishermen kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf militants over a year ago were freed by their

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captors. The fishermen, La Utu Raali and La Hadi La Adi, were captured on 5 November 2016 in the
Sulu Sea, to the north-east of Borneo island and south-west of the Philippines. (www.straitstimes.com/asia)

4. (U) MALAYSIA: On 17 January, several hundred birds being trafficked from Malaysia to Indonesia died after smugglers
threw them into the water when they were intercepted by the coast guard. The birds, believed to mostly be a type of lark
often sold as pets in Indonesia, were tossed into the sea in their cages by suspected traffickers as they were pursued off
the southwest coast of peninsular Malaysia. Only 3 birds survived. Four Indonesian suspects were arrested after the
confrontation off Malaysia's Selangor state in the Straits of Malacca, a busy shipping route that separates Malaysia from
Indonesia's Sumatra island. (www.channelnewsasia.com/news)

5. (U) INDONESIA: On 8 January, ship's crewman onboard a bulk carrier anchored near position 00:16S - 117:43E, Muara
Berau Anchorage, Samarinda, noticed robbers attempting to board the vessel via the anchor chain and informed the duty
officer who sounded the fog horn. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers aborted the attempt and escaped in a small boat.
(IMB)

6. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 7 January, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) seized a large consignment of smuggled rice in waters
off Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay. The PCG said 60,000 smuggled sacks of rice were seized from MV J-PHIA, a Liberia-
flagged cargo ship, intercepted 25 nautical miles southwest of Olutanga. The PCG said its ships were deployed to the area
after receiving a tip that the Liberian ship was transporting a cargo transferred from another foreign vessel in the Sulu Sea.
It said that according to the seized ship's captain, their last port call was in Cagayan de Oro City, but he could not show
records of departure. (www.gmanetwork.com/news)

7. (U) INDONESIA: On 5 January, five robbers approached an anchored bulk carrier anchored near position 00:16S -
117:36E, Muara Berau Anchorage, Samarinda. The robbers attempted to board via the anchor chain. Alert duty crewman
noticed the robbers and shouted at them resulting in the robbers retreating and moving away. (IMB)

8. (U) MALAYSIA: On 3 January, a duty officer onboard a cargo vessel near position 02:27N - 101:39E, 9 nm west-
southwest of Port Dickson, noticed a speed boat with five masked persons holding a long hook approaching the vessel.
Alarm was raised and crew mustered with firehoses. Seeing the crew’s alertness, the speed boat moved away. (IMB)

9. (U) BANGLADESH: On 31 December, robbers boarded a barge under tow near position 21:49N - 091:34E,
vicinity of Kutubdia Island, and stole barge’s properties. All crew safe. (IMB)

10. (U) SINGAPORE STRAIT: On 28 December, four robbers boarded a bulk carrier awaiting a pilot boat near
position 01:16N - 104:02E, 3 nm south of Changi. They entered the engine room and threatened the duty engineer
with a knife. The engineer managed to escape and raise the alarm. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped
empty-handed. Incident reported to VTIS East Singapore. (IMB)

11. (U) INDONESIA: On 26 December, a drifting tug under the name KM AMERIKA was spotted by local fishermen
some 60 nm off Sungai Liat, Bangka island, Indonesia, South China sea. There were no people onboard, and no
signs of disaster or clues as to why and how crew had abandoned the vessel. (www.fleetmon.com;
www.bangka.tribunnews.com)

12. (U) INDONESIA: ON 25 December, duty crewman onboard a tanker anchored near position 07:46S - 109:04E,
Cilacap Anchorage, spotted four robbers near the poop deck. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the crew’s
alertness, the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s engine spares. (IMB)

J. (U) NORTHEAST ASIA:

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1. (U) CHINA: On 29 December, duty crewman onboard a bulk carrier anchored near position 38:46N - 118:30E,
Caofeidian Anchorage, noticed suspicious movements on the main deck. Upon checking, he noticed two
unauthorized persons standing near the emergency generator room. The crewman informed the duty officer who
immediately directed a large searchlight toward the area, and saw two persons pulling out a hose from the diesel oil
tank sounding pipe. Alarm was raised and crew was mustered. Hearing the alarm and seeing the crew’s alertness,
the individuals pulled out the hose from the sounding pipe and escaped in a small boat. On sounding the tanks, it
was reported that diesel oil had been stolen. (IMB)

2. (U) CHINA: On 25 December, customs authorities seized 12,000 tons of smuggled fuel and arrested 17
suspects. The seizure is a result of months of investigations in coastal provinces of Jiangsu, Fujian and Zhejiang
province. The smuggling occurred outside the mouth of Yangtze River and at sea, through ship-to-ship transfers
with foreign vessels. (Reuters; Xinhua)

K. (U) AUSTRALIA- NEW ZEALAND: No current incidents to report.

6. (U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources

(U) This appendix provides contact information for the author of the WTS as well as other entities that can be
contacted with maritime crime reports. It also lists other resources where the WTS is posted and where piracy and
maritime crime incident information can be found.

(U) Contact

(U) Originator of this WTS report requests consumer feedback. Originator will incorporate all anti-shipping events
and violence against the maritime industry into this weekly message where appropriate. To aid in our reporting,
please add the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) to your normal corporate and organizational reporting
requirements. The 24-hour watch can be reached at +1 (301) 669-4053.

(U) Other Resources

(U) This Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report is posted at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Maritime
Safety site: http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) also publishes a live
piracy report based on reporting from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, listing all piracy
and armed robbery incidents in the last ten days: http://www.icc-ccs.org/. The PAWW and WTS Reports are posted
weekly on the ONI Intel Portal: http://www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence_Community/piracy.htm.

7. (U) Appendix B: Terminology and References

(U) This appendix is provided to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference in reporting and also
identifies those references that were used to gather the information contained in this report. ONI welcomes
comment and suggestions for addition or amendment.

(U) Terminology

(U) In order to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference, the following have been adopted to describe
the range of criminal anti-shipping activity and impediments to safe navigation in our worldwide reporting and
analysis. Please note that these terms relate to observable activity and are independent of target vessel status and
exclude actions by governmental powers in lawful pursuit of their authorities:

(U) Attempted Boarding – Close approach or hull-to-hull contact with report that boarding paraphernalia were

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employed or visible in the approaching boat.

(U) Blocking – Hampering safe navigation, docking, or undocking of a vessel as a means of protest.

(U) Boarding – Unauthorized boarding of a vessel by persons not part of its complement without successfully
taking control of the vessel.

(U) Fired Upon – Weapons discharged at or toward a vessel.

(U) Hijacking – Unauthorized seizure and retention of a vessel by persons not part of its complement.

(U) Kidnapping – Unauthorized forcible removal of persons belonging to the vessel from it.

(U) Robbery – Theft from a vessel or from persons aboard the vessel.

(U) Suspicious Approach – All other unexplained activity in close proximity of an unknown vessel.

(U) Sourcing

(U) ONI derives information in this report from direct reporting and analysis of reports from the following agencies
and commercial sources.

 Agence France Presse (AFP)

 Associated Press (AP)
 BBC News
 EU Naval Forces (EU)
 International Maritime Bureau (IMB), London and Kuala Lumpur
 International Maritime Organization (IMO), London
 LSS-SAPU.com (LSS)
 Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S.
 Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA)
 Marine Domain Awareness for Trade - Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG)
 National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Navigation Safety System
 Noonsite.com (Noonsite), website
 Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
 Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia,
 Information Sharing Center (ReCAAP ISC)
 Reuters
 Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
 Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN)
 The Maritime Executive (website)
 United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO)
 United Press International (UPI)
 U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
(U) ICOD: 24 January 2018

(U) The PAWW and WTS reports are posted each week on the ONI Intel Portal and can be found at:
http://www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence-Community/Piracy

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