Piracy & Armed Robbery: Latest ICS Report

ICC International Crime Services (ICS) publish its report on world-wide pirate attacks on shipping thus far in the month of April 2013

The Piracy & Armed Robbery Report section below follows the definition of Piracy as laid down in Article 101 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Armed Robbery as laid down in Resolution A.1025 (26) adopted on 2 December 2009 at the 26th Assembly Session of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Around 130nm South of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Armed pirates boarded a container ship underway. They kidnapped four crew members and escaped. No injuries were reported to the remaining crew members who sailed the ship to Senegal. Further details awaiting.

Around 45nm WSW of Brass, Nigeria.
Fourteen heavily armed pirates in two boats, one supply boat with the name UTAY 8 and the other is a speed boat with orange hull and blue wheelhouse approached and boarded a container ship underway. The ship raised alarm and crew took shelter in the citadel. The pirates were able to breach the citadel and they kidnapped the Master, C/O, C/E, 2/E and 3/E and escaped with ship's and crew cash. The remaining crew were reported safe.

Buenaventura Inner Anchorage, Colombia.
Robbers boarded an anchored chemical tanker during heavy rain and stole ship’s properties and escaped. Port control informed and was advised to be vigilant against robbery at the anchorage.

40nm SW of Brass, Nigeria.
Pirates in a speed boat chased and fired upon a container ship underway. The vessel increased speed and evaded the boarding.

About 16nm NE of Bintan Island, Indonesia.
Pirates boarded a tanker underway and robbed crew personal belongings and cash and escaped.
No injuries to crew and tanker continued passage.

Around 15nm NE of Bintan Island, Indonesia.
Five pirates armed with a pistol and long knives in a high speed wooden craft approached and boarded an asphalt tanker underway. They stole cash and crew personnel effects and escaped. Master raised the alarm and attempted to contact the coastal authority but received no respond. No injuries to crew.

Pointe Noire Anchorage, The Congo.
Three robbers in a small boat approached and attempted to board an anchored General Cargo Ship. Alert duty crew spotted the robbers climbing the anchor chain and raised the alarm. On hearing the alarm, the robbers jumped into the water and escaped empty handed. Port Control contacted and all crew safe.

Campha Outer Anchorage, Vietnam.
Three robbers boarded a bulk carrier via forward bow and hawse pipe unnoticed. Duty AB noticed them in the process of lowering ropes into a waiting Boat and informed the Master who raised the alarm and alerted the crew. The crew tried to recover the ropes by using the winch but the robbers cut off the ropes and escaped.

Catagena Inner Anchorage, Colombia.
OOW observed a boat with several persons manoeuvring in the vicinity of the vessel. Two watchmen were sent to check and they observed the vessel for some time and then while returning heard noises from the aft part of the vessel. When watchmen went closer to investigate they saw a few robbers near the paint locker. They informed OOW who raised alarm and all the robbers jumped overboard and escaped in their boat. Upon investigation it was found that the paint locker, CO2 station, oxygen locker and engine compartment doors were open and stores stole. Port control contacted and agent contacted.

Around 36nm WNW from Principe Island, Gulf of Guinea.
Armed pirates in a skiff approached and fired upon a tanker under way. Alarm raised, SSAS Alert and distress signals activated, fire pump started, crew proceeded to their emergency stations and citadel, speed increased and evasive manoeuvres made. After around 20minutes the skiff aborted the attack and moved away. Crew and vessel safe.