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Nato Shipping Centre News

06 Apr 2022

Floating Mines in Black Sea Putting Grain, Oil Trade at Risk

For illustration only - ©Grispb/AdobeStock

The risk of coming across floating mines in the major Black Sea shipping route is adding to perils for merchant ships sailing in the region, and governments must ensure safe passage to keep supply chains running, maritime officials say.The Black Sea is key for shipping grain, oil, and oil products. Its waters are shared by Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia, and Turkey, as well as Ukraine and Russia, which have been at war since President Vladimir Putin invaded his southern neighbor on Feb.

16 Jan 2017

Africa, Asia Join Efforts for Anti-Piracy Information Sharing

A meeting in Singapore (11-12 January) has seen African and Asian countries join efforts to promote greater networking and communications across anti-piracy contact points in the two continents. Speaking at the meeting, International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Head of Maritime Security, Javier Yasnikouski, commended the initiative, saying that the efforts contribute directly to IMO’s work to raise awareness of maritime security issues that have an impact on international trade and the welfare of seafarers; and encourage a co-operative approach amongst IMO Member States and other partner organizations. The event was organized by the…

09 Oct 2015

Security Advisory: Piracy – Revision of BMP4 High Risk Area

BIMCO says that the co-sponsors of BMP 4 have agreed to a revised definition of the High Risk Area. The revisions are effective and will formally apply as of 1 December 2015, in order to give shipping companies and crews time to adapt to them. It is strongly recommended that the revisions are taken into account as soon as possible for voyages through the VRA and HRA for which risk assessments are yet to be conducted, as the changes may have implications for charter party and insurance agreements as well as ship security. The revisions will be provided on industry websites, including www.bimco.org, as well as NATO Shipping Centre (www.shipping.nato.int) and MSCHOA (www.mschoa.org).

31 Mar 2014

Tanker Repels Attack in Strait of Hormuz

According to a report by GAC, mariners are advised that the master of the motor tanker Album reported being approached and fired upon by a skiff in position: Lat 26-24.4N, Long 056-41.8E in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman, Sunday, March 30. Six personnel onboard where reportedly sighted carrying machine guns, the advisory said, while the skiff closed range from five NM at approximately 20 kts. The NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) said the skiff came within five meters and fired two shots at the bridge and accommodation area before being repelled by the oil tanker's alarm and fire hoses. Procedures IAW BMP4 were conducted. The skiff turned away from the ship's stern and traveled eastward after hearing the alarm. The ship and crew are reported to be safe.

31 Mar 2014

Oil Tanker Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz

IMB says unidentified assailants in a speedboat fired at a crude oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. The crew of the unidentified oil tanker reported being shot at twice from close range from a speedboat carrying six people with machine guns on Sunday morning. They repelled the attack with hoses and the tanker and crew are safe. Although suspected Somali pirates commonly target vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin, attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz - a vital oil and gas shipping route - are rare. The shooting happened on the Gulf of Oman side of the Strait of Hormuz, about 90 minutes after an unidentified merchant ship was approached by two speedboats with crews wearing military clothing, the NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) said on Sunday.

10 Mar 2014

Latest Piracy Analysis from OPINTEL

Piracy Horn of Africa incident map courtesy of OPINTEL

The latest US Maritime OPINTEL analysis and weekly report that follows covers the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. OMAN: On 6 March, three suspicious white skiffs approached a merchant vessel near position 22:27.1 N – 060:29.2 E, approximately 122 nm southeast of Muscat, Oman. The skiffs with two persons onboard each skiff approached the ship to within a half mile. After self protection measures were initiated by the crew, the skiffs moved away. PAKISTAN: On 28 February…

27 Dec 2012

Latest NATO Piracy Update

NATO Shipping Centre identifies a new area of piracy concern within the Gulf of Oman. All 22 hostages from the MV Iceberg 1 have now been released from pirate captivity. They had been held since the Iceberg 1 was pirated on 29 March 2010, a period of two years and nine months. The former hostages are now recovering from their ordeal and are receiving food and medical care. On 21 Dec 2012 at 0845Z, a vessel transiting in the Gulf of Oman (2322N; 05926E) was approached and chased by two skiffs for approximately 1.5 hours. Vessel was subsequently confirmed as safe. On 20 Dec 2012 at 1015Z, a vessel transiting in the Gulf of Oman was approached by a skiff reported in position 2449N; 05750E, with possibly armed personnel onboard. The skiff fell back and the vessel was reported safe.

21 Dec 2012

Pirate Alley

Even with a multi-national flotilla of warships, armed security guards on merchant ships, and phalanxes of lawyers making policy and negotiating ransoms, seemingly unsophisticated Somalis and their small, simple skiffs still attack ships on the high seas and hold seafarers, ships and cargos for ever-growing sums of money. Rear Adm. Terry McKnight, a retired naval officer, had a front row seat in the effort to deter and defend against piracy on the high seas. McKnight, who with Michael Hirsh wrote Pirate Alley – Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia…

05 Oct 2012

Latest NATO Report Indicates Pirates Still Weatherbound

During the reporting period of 26 September to 02 October 2012 there were no piracy related incidents in the High Risk Area (HRA). In the period the NATO Shipping Centre received one report of suspicious activity in the Southern Red Sea (SRS) Bab-al-Mandeb (BAM) and Gulf of Aden (GOA). Masters are still reminded to remain vigilant while transiting this area. The Southwest Monsoon season is currently in transition. Improving weather conditions will likely allow pirates to operate further out from shore. Note that pirate activity can still take place during the monsoon season: during this time pirates are likely to operate closer to shore to avoid severe conditions further out at sea.

14 Jun 2012

Pirates Low Profile in Monsoon Season

During the reporting period 7 – 13, June 2012, the number of piracy incidents in the High Risk Area (HRA) has remained low, with no incidents reported. Due to the South-West monsoon between June and September, sea conditions in the HRA are expected to be generally unfavourable for small boats. Pirate Activity Groups (PAG) will likely continue to focus their limited efforts in the Northern Arabian Sea (NAS), Gulf of Oman (GOO) as well as in the Gulf of Aden (GOA) and South Red Sea (SRS). There have been no significant changes over the past week. Masters are advised that fishing activity is expected to continue and likely increase in this area over the next few months. There have been no significant changes over last week in this region.

09 Mar 2012

Pirates Losing Battle to Capture Ships

Piracy Patrol: Photo credit NATO

The NATO  piracy update mentions in its overview of the week, four piracy related incidents in the High Risk Area (HRA):  a Pirate Attack Group (PAG) was disrupted (017/12), one merchant vessel was hijacked (Alert 018/12), one merchant vessel was approached by suspected pirates (NSC 010/12) and one merchant vessel was attacked ( 019/12). As the monsoon period is over and the sea state becomes more favourable for small boats, it is expected that Pirate Attack Group activity will increase in the weather transition period.

06 Oct 2011

NATO Chief Warns of Increasing Pirate Activity

Pirate attack skiffs (courtesy: NATO)

In the last few days the number of pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia has increased highlighting the fact that now the monsoon is weakening, the pirates are once again ready to attack merchant ships transiting through the Indian Ocean. MC Northwood's Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Hank Ort (NLD N) states, "in the last few years, it has been the case that come October when the South West monsoon weakens, the pirates have been able to put to sea and we have seen the number of attacks on merchant vessels increase.

18 Oct 2010

BMP Saves Three Vessels from Pirates

Photo courtesy EU NAVFOR

The EU NAVFOR reported that over a period of 15 days, piracy of three merchant vessels was prevented through the use of Best Management Practices, proving the value of such self-protection measures. On 10 October, the MV Kavo Portland, transiting approximately 1,000 nautical miles from the coast in the Somali Basin and the MV Anuket Jade, transiting close to the Tanzanian coast, both reported they were attacked by groups of pirates using rocket propelled grenades or firing. Both vessels altered course…

28 Sep 2010

NATO Says Risk of Piracy Increased

The NATO Shipping Centre issued a notice advising that, with improving weather, the risk of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin has increased. Pirate action groups have been observed in the area. The groups are likely to exploit pirated dhows and fishing vessels as mother ships to extend their range. (9/24/10). (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)

02 Feb 2010

Somalia, Pirates Use Hijacked Ro-Ro

The NATO Shipping Centre reported that on Jan. 30 the vehicle carrier Asian Glory (Blue hull and white superstructure), previously hijacked and still under pirates control, was in position 04:19N - 052:13E CO:005 SPEED 14. It is assessed pirates are using Asian Glory for their pirate activities. All vessels navigating in the Indian Ocean to consider keeping east of 60E when routing north/south and to consider routing east of 60E and south of 10S when proceeding to and from ports in South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya. Vessels are also advised not to approach closer than 100 miles from the position given in this report and maintain maximum CPA with any ship acting suspiciously.

12 Aug 2009

Pirates Release Italian Cargo Ship

The NATO Shipping Centre reported that an Italian tugboat and its crew of 16, seized by pirates off the Gulf of Aden in April, have been released, according to Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini in a statement on August 9. Frattini told Sky Italia TV he had been given the news by the Somali prime minister. The ship's release was the result of "exceptional work" on the part of Somali authorities and the Italians, he said. The pirates hijacked the Italian-flagged Buccaneer on April 11 with a crew of 10 Italians, 5 Romanians and one Croatian and took it to a point close to Las Qoray, a fishing village in a disputed area of northern Somalia. The ship is now on its way to the port of Djibouti, escorted by naval vessels.