Piracy Report

Pirate Activity in the Red Sea/Eritrea Area

Further to our previous media releases detailing a potential new trend in pirate tactics in an area of the Red Sea off Eritrea (see Figure 1), Neptune Maritime Security has had the opportunity to examine the available data through our Intelligence Bank, including material supplied by intelligence sources, and presents the following report to interested parties. In July, pirate activity off Eritrea was limited to small numbers of pirates mounting similarly small-scale attacks on shipping. For example, on July 20th, an oil tanker, Front Pride, was attacked by a single skiff containing six pirates while underway in position 13:27N-042:39E, approximately 27nm NW off Assab, Eritrea. Pirates fired an RPG at the vessel, but the armed security team onboard returned fire and the pirates aborted the attack. Then, on July 21st, a cargo vessel was fired upon by a single skiff containing six pirates while underway in position 13:29N 042:26E, approximately 30nm off Assab. The location of this second attempted hijacking is just 3.5nm from the scene of the incident on the previous day and it is highly likely that this was the same pirate group. On this occasion, the attempt was again deterred by armed security personnel onboard the cargo vessel. This incident occurred some 48nm away from the first ‘swarm’ attack on August 7th (see Figure 2, Attack 1), but without further intelligence

IMB Warns Of Rampant Piracy In Indonesian Waters

Pirate attacks more than doubled in Indonesia in the first nine months of 1999, prompting the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) to warn mariners to take urgent precautions in Indonesian waters. The number of actual and attempted pirate raids worldwide surged by more than 25 percent to 180 in the first three quarters of 1999, up from 143 in the same period in 1998, the IMB's Piracy Reporting Center in Malaysia's capital said in a report

Mace Personal Defense Joins Piracy Battle

In an effort to combat the rapidly growing levels of piracy and armed robbery against ships around the world, Mace Personal Defense, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Mace Security International, Inc. (OTCQB: MACE) has formed an alliance with Shipboard Defense Systems, Inc. to develop The Shipboard Defense System, a defensive on-board system to repel pirates. The Shipboard Defense System is designed with 300 gallon pressurized tanks that include loop piping installed around a vessel allowing

Vietnamese Authorities Recapture Hijacked Tankship

The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) commends Vietnamese authorities for recapture of hijacked tankship taken to their waters. The Malaysian-owned tanker lost communication on 17 November 2012 whilst en route from Pasir Gudang to the port of Miri. Following an IMB alert, Vietnamese authorities were able to intercept the vessel and arrest 11 suspects on 22 November 2012. The vessel’s crew had been cast adrift the previous day and had been rescued by fishermen

Latest World-wide Piracy Review Released

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) advises vigilance though attacks decline.  IMB's latest quarterly report on 'Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships' recorded a total of 66 incidents worldwide in the first three months of 2013. This is down markedly from the 102 incidents reported for the corresponding period in 2012. In the first three months of 2013, four vessels were hijacked, 51 vessels were boarded

Piracy Attacks Reported in West Africa Waters

Latest piracy report from Office of Naval Intelligence warns of West African attacks on merchant ships The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message from ONI provides information on threats to, and criminal action against, merchant vessels worldwide. The following attacks have recently taken place in West African waters: DEM.REP.CONGO: Refrigerated Cargo Ship boarded  while anchored in the E, Boma Anchorage

Allianz Piracy Study

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS), an insurer of ships and cargo, has released a study suggesting its clients adapt their approach to marine insurance as the threat of piracy off the Horn of Africa continues to grow.  In addition, the study points out that crews entering dangerous waters must be prepared to handle an attack, and it calls for a more coordinated solution to the current wave of piracy.

EU NAVFOR Stops Suspected Pirates Again

Late afternoon of Sunday 20th of September, a Bulk Carrier reported an approach of a skiff while in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor in the Gulf of Aden. On board of the Bulk Carrier a unit of the Yemeni Navy was embarked. On sighting of these military personnel the skiff abandoned the approach and tried to flee as reported by the merchant vessel to the UK Maritime Trade Organization in Bahrain. UKMTO alerted other merchant vessels and the Counter Piracy Forces on Mercury

Anti-Piracy Device Nets Interest

A British company which makes compressed air cannons has reported a surge in the interest for its new floating entanglement device which can stop pirate skiffs in their tracks. Cardiff based maritime security and survival experts, BCB International Ltd, have unveiled a new floating entanglement projectile which can be deployed from its British made compressed air launcher called the ‘Sea Stinger.’ The company reports that it has piqued the interest of the Maritime Industry as it

Somali Pirates Jailed by Kenyan Court

Seven Somali's found guilty of piracy against a French fishing vessel, sentenced to 20 years. Following a terrifying attack against the MV Captain St. Vincent in October 2009 the pirates, operating in 2 attack skiffs, were located by a EU an Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) warship that was conducting counter-piracy patrols nearby. A boarding team from the warship detained the suspect pirates, and they were subsequently transferred to Kenya for trial.