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The Maritime Intelligence Report Series focuses on:

• Areas of instability which could affect the passage or port call of your vessel;

• Changes or impediments to navigation/restrictions of; and

• Charts and analysis detailing piracy, suspicious ap-proaches and hijackings.

MAST has a global reach and presence, delivering first hand, accurate and exclusive intelligence. MAST is entrenched and committed in continuing to support and promote the awareness of the very real risks that seafarers and stakeholders face.

This Intelligence Report Series is a brief snapshot of MAST’s Intelligence capabilities. MAST Intelligence specialises in providing clients with a suite of prod-ucts, including; detailed port and vessel security briefs, vessel passage plans, threat and risk mitigation, travel risk management.

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Editor: David Rider

www.mast-security.com

10th August 2016

Issue 37 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 reported and analysed, focusing on the keys theatres of maritime instability.

“Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

Issue 37

Contents:Indian Ocean region

Somalia

Yemen

Yemen Ports

Mediterranean

Libya

Gulf of Guinea

South East Asia

Central & South America

Mast Services

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“Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

Indian Ocean Region Incidents: Nothing Serious To Report.

1st December 2015 HRA limits

Son of Scottish aristocrat charged with trafficking 100kg of co-caine in Kenya

The son of a Scottish aristocrat has been charged in Kenya with trafficking nearly 100kg of cocaine in one of the country’s big-gest drugs seizures in recent years.

The haul was found by Kenyan police and US Drug Enforce-ment Agency officials in containers that had arrived from Brazil at the main Kenyan seaport last week. The class A drugs were allegedly shipped around the world in containers labelled as carrying sugar destined for Uganda. India to Buy 3 Russian Admiral Grigorovich Frigates

India is set to purchase three frigates from Moscow originally intended for Russian Navy Black Sea Fleet, according to a Thurs-day report in Jane’s Defence Weekly.

The frigate trio for India — the last three ships for the planned six-ship class – were originally planned as part of the Russian Navy’s $2.4 billion refresh of its 1980s era Black Sea Fleet but

construction of the ships have been delayed in part due to the refusal of the Ukrainian defence industry to supply the Russian Navy with gas turbines.

Threat Assessment

While SW monsoon conditions are making blue water difficult for small boat operations, the attack in the Red Sea illustrates the dangers of sheltered areas. UKMTO has assessed the inci-dent as not piracy related, however, IMB believe the incident followed previous pirate attacks. MAST recommends height-ened watches and security routines whilst transiting the Bab-el Mandeb chokepoint.

Convoy Escort Programme

August’s military convoys are provided by Japan, Korea, China, India and Russia. For further information, please contact:

Japan MSDF: info-piracy@mlit.go.jpKorean Navy: bluegun21@navy.mil.krChinese Navy: planavy@navy.mil.cnIndian Navy: dgcommcentre-dgs@nic.inRussian Navy: isps@msecurity.ru

Hijack

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity Theft

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SomaliaSomalia has officially released new poll dates for the 2016 elections. In a statement, Omar Mohamed Abdulle, chairman of the Somalia’s election commission announced on Sunday that the country’s 2016 presidential election will take place on October 30th. The commission said the election of 275-member Lower House will be from September 24th to October 10th while the election of Upper House should be completed by September 25th.

Under control of Al Shabaab and allies

Under control of neutral forces

Under the control of Government and allies

Somaliland Government Control of Somali territory (8th August 2016) Source: Wikime-dia Commons

Al Shabaab

• Suspected Al Shabaab militants conducted a grenade attack on the Minister of Internal Security’s house in Mogadishu on August 3rd. The militants did not injure the Minister, Major General Mohamed Aden Ahmed, but killed at least one security guard and injured three others.

• Suspected Al Shabaab militants killed a local elder in Arbiska village near Mogadishu on August 5th. The elder played a prominent role in local clan reconciliation processes.

• Somali Islamist group Al Shabaab on Saturday 6th shelled resi-dential areas in the town of Baidoa, west of the capital Moga-dishu, hitting a hospital and likely causing casualties, the African Union (AU) peace keeping force AMISOM said

• The vessel in which Sh360 million cocaine was found at Mom-basa port might have ferried weapons to Al Shabaab in Somalia. MSC Posetano docked at Mombasa on July 27th and departed without authorisation on July 29th shortly after 100kg of co-caine hidden in a shipment of brown sugar was seized. Officials from the US-based Drug Enforcement Agency and the NIS said they believe the vessel carried weapons and drugs. It was spot-ted in Mogadishu on Wednesday 3rd on its way to the Port of Kismayo, said Kenya Maritime Authority acting director general Cosmas Cherop.

• Top military commanders from Somalia and Africa Union peacekeeping forces (AMISOM) have mapped out new strate-gies aimed at defeating Al Shabaab terrorists. The command-ers ended a five-day conference in Mogadishu on Saturday 6th.

Analysis

The ongoing attacks by Al Shabaab close to the capital underlines their ability to operate across the country with little challenge. The re authorisation of AMISOM’s mission will hopefully put some impetus back into the force as they attempt to retake key areas from Al Shabaab. Ongoing attacks against patrols and passen-gers buses remain a security issue for AMISOM, who seem unable to prevent them at present. More coordi-nated attacks including air strikes may see an improve-ment in the local situation. The incidents between Somaliland and Puntland forces bear scrutiny.

Threat Assessment

The Somali National Army and AMISOM continue to struggle to maintain security over Mogadishu. Moga-dishu Port continues to be operational. After earlier warnings in March that an attack on Somali ports is likely, the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency stated that it has implemented further security measures in Somali ports to protect business continuity. To date this seems to have worked.

The delay to the country’s election may well be seized upon by Al Shabaab, who will continue to launch attacks in an attempt to destabilize and undermine ongoing ef-forts to unify Somalia.

“Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

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Control of Yemen territory (8th August 2016)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Yemen Inter-Yemeni talks will resume in a month at a venue to be determined later, said the UN trouble-shooter for Yemen on Saturday August 6th. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, speaking at a news conference, stressed on necessity of maintaining “a positive spirit to push the consultations forward for sake of peace”.

Of greater concern is the boat-borne attack on Al Mukalla port by unidentified Jihadists. Please see our Yemen Ports page for more detail.

Oil exportsThe first shipment of crude oil from Yemen frees up enough storage so that oil production in the east of the country can re-sume, reports said on Friday 5th. Sources have stated that Swiss trader Glencore has pulled about 1 million barrels from Yemen, the first time since the latest bout of civil war erupted last year.

Militant activity• Al Houthi-Saleh forces allegedly kidnapped and subsequently killed four local sheikhs in al Mulajim district, al Bayda governo-rate, between July 31st and August 2nd. • At least 10 pro-government soldiers were killed and over 18 others injured when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive-laden car amid anti-terror army reinforcements in Yemen’s Lahj province on Sunday, a security official said.

AQAP

• Suspected al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) mili-tants killed Yemeni Colonel Abdullah Shamba in Abyan province southern Yemen, on August 7th. Militants on motorcycles fired on the Col. Shamba, who led an anti-AQAP militia in Abyan.• A drone strike killed two suspected al Qaida members in southern Yemen on Thursday August 5th, a security official said. The strike targeted the pair in a military vehicle at an al Qaida checkpoint in Shabwa province, the official told AFP.

• Reported U.S. airstrikes targeted al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) positions near Azzan city, Shabwah governo-

rate on August 4th. The airstrikes struck an AQAP checkpoint and vehicle convoy.

Analysis

So far there has been little progress made in negotiations and the ‘pause’ in proceedings will see continued fighting and civil-ian casualties. Saudi Arabia’s position appears to be entrenched with little sign of any compromise and they will need to see the conflict through in order to send a clear message to the region and players such as Iran, which has its own clear agenda. The long term view is not a positive one, but defeat is not an option for Saudi Arabia and their allies in the West, who are keen to ensure AQAP don’t increase their territory and influence in the country.

Threat Assessment

MAST’s standing advice remains that all vessels conduct robust risk and passage assessments prior to arrival in Yemen waters. Increased watch routines and security should be maintained due to the ongoing potential for militant and pirate activity in this region. The ongoing presence of AQAP in Yemen remains an issue. While al Mukalla port has been liberated, AQAP el-ements continue to conduct terror operations at a local level. The recent boat-borne attack on the port raises further ques-tions about local security and the protection of merchant ships in the region.

Houthi

Pro Hadi Government Forces

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

“Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

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UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM)

The UN’s Secretary-General has decided to institute a UNVIM for the facilitation of commercial imports to Yemen, at the request of the Government of the Republic of Yemen and in line with Security Council resolution 2216 (2015).

UNVIM is operational with immediate effect. Shipping companies or vessel owners shipping commercial goods or services to any port not under the direct control of the Government of Yemen (Salif, Mokha, Hudaydah and associated oil terminals) need to ap-ply for permits upon departure of the port of origin of their cargo. For further details click here.

UN arms embargo imposed by UN Security Council Resolution 2216 of 2015 is in place.

Port Aden:

• The port of Aden is under the protection of the Republic of Yemen security forces.

• Curfew in effect for Aden, 2000-0600 daily.

• Merchant vessels wishing to enter Yemeni ports must first apply for a permit through the Yemeni Ministry of Transportation; contact: yemen.transport@gmail.com for more information.

• Final clearance to enter Yemeni ports (with permits in place) is authenticated by the coalition guard ship.

• Aden is the only port in Yemen currently able to facilitate container vessels. The container terminal has recently increased it’s capacity. WFP note that eight vessels were discharging at berth with 5 waiting at anchorage.

Port Salif: Capacity 2 berths. Operating at capacity. Vessels experiencing severe delays due to minimal port equipment. 10 ves-sels awaiting at anchorage (WFP, June 29th).

Port Hudaydah:

• Capacity 8 berths. As of World Food Programme reports at the end of June, eight vessels were discharging at berth, 25 awaiting at anchor.

• Only 1 of 5 shore based cranes in partial operation, container vessels highly recommended to have their own internal cranes.

• RSNF is utilizing a holding area 60 NM west of the port of Hudaydah for all vessels attempting entry into Salif or Hudaydah. Inbound vessels should plan on holding within this area prior to receiving clearance from port control warships.

Port Mokha: Status - Open and fully operational (North of England P&I, July 18th).

Port Al Mukalla: Capacity 2 berths. Al Mukalla port was liberated on the 23/24 April by the Saudi-led coalition and southern resistance. Port officials have advised that port operations resumed on the 26th April.

Port of Ash Shihr: Status - Open and full operational (North of England P&I, July 22nd).

Port of Balhaf: Status - Closed: LNG terminal remains closed.

Port of Ras Isa: Status - Closed. Safer oil terminal remains closed, Safer Company (SEPOC) does not allow vessels to berth at Safer Marine Terminal if they do not have an agreement signed by them according to the protocol between buyer and Yemeni government.

MCCC Notice: Following open source reporting of increased military activity in and around the Yemeni port city of Mukalla and the maritime security incident on the 24th April, where an MV was fired upon, please be advised that the security situ-ation in the vicinity of the port has changed. Vessels using the port or operating nearby are advised to take additional security measures and proceed with caution. Coalition warships are patrolling in the area and should be hailed on VHF Channel 16 by any vessel witnessing or subject to threatening behaviour.

Yemen PortsYemeni forces defended against boat-borne attacks by unidentified jihadists, who targeted the com-mercial port inside Mukalla city on 2nd August 2016, according to UAE media, as several improvised explosive device- (IED)-laden boats reportedly exploded after exchanges of fire with coastguard vessels patrolling the port. Abu Dhabi-based news channel, Sky News Arabia, citing military sources, reported that small fishing vessels, which approached Mukalla’s commercial port in the southeast of the city, originated from Abyan province.

“Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

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Mediterranean Italy is investigating whether Islamic State is involved in organizing the passage of tens of thousands of migrants across the Mediterranean, its justice minister said on Wednesday. “From the information available, there is an investigation underway focused on whether representatives of ISIS (Islamic State) have crucial roles in controlling and managing migrant flows to Italy,” Justice Minister Andrea Orlando told a parliamentary committee.

Ferry security

UK MP calls on government to place armed Sea Marshals on cross-Channel ferries to guard against Islamic State and stop people smuggling (August 8th).

Migrant Rescues

• More than 10,000 refugees have been rescued from the Mediterranean Sea by Ireland’s Naval Service since they were first deployed to the area in May of last year. The LÉ James Joyce rescued 594 migrants during the last week of July, in-cluding a young woman who named her newborn baby after the ship that rescued her off the coast of Libya.• The Italian Red Cross, with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), is partnering with independent charity Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) in a joint life-saving mission on board the “Responder” rescue ship this week.

Migrant Deaths

• According to the International Organisation for Migration’s “Missing Migrants Project,” the year 2016 has already seen 3,132 migrant deaths in the Mediterranean of 4,172 deaths recorded worldwide.

• Residents of a Libyan town have buried the decomposing bodies of 21 migrants who had washed up on their beach af-ter authorities failed to act, an NGO and medics said Monday 8th.

France returns migrants to Italy

France has returned some 200 migrants to Italy who escaped into the sea to cross into France, evading border controls.

UN issues ‘draft outcome’ document on migrantsAll 193 UN member states agreed on a 22-page “draft outcome” document late Tuesday (August 2nd) in response to the global refugee crisis — but the document lacks substantial solutions to give permanent resettlement for the displaced. Additionally, it contains no concrete commitments and has no force in law. The document will serve as the basis for a meeting at the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General As-sembly next month.

EU ready to boost aid on migrantsThe EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizen-ship Dimitris Avramopoulos on Friday August 5th told the media that the European Commission is closely monitoring migration along the central Mediterranean route and is ready to boost aid, if necessary.

Map depicting major migrant routes in the Mediterranean (9th August 2016). Source: UNHRC

“Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

Migrant crossings 2014-2016. Source: UNHRC

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Control of Northern Libyan territory (9th August 2016)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

LibyaOn Wednesday August 3rd, Italy agreed to “positively consider” any US request to use Italian airspace and airbases for bombing missions against Isis in Libya. The move follows a series of US air strikes against Isis militants in the Libyan coastal city of Sirte on Monday. That action – which President Barack Obama declared as in the “vital national interests” of the US – is anticipated to be the first move in a sustained international offensive against Isis outside of Iraq and Syria.

“Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

U.S. air strikes show limits on Libya intervention

While U.S. jets and drones are pounding Islamic State in the Libyan city of Sirte, Western powers are unlikely to expand their military involvement rapidly, anxious to avoid exacerbat-ing factional divisions as the government they support strug-gles to establish itself.

The United Nations-backed government asked for the U.S. air strikes which began on August 1st, but it has still not made a long-awaited request for broader security help - including a possible easing of an international arms embargo on the fac-tions which emerged during and after the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.

Libya’s NOC calls on rival factions to protect Zueitina terminal

Libya’s state oil company on Sunday 7th August called on rival armed factions to avoid damaging the oil terminal in Zueitina, following reports of possible clashes at the eastern port.

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) said it was concerned by re-ports of “imminent conflict” between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) in the vicinity of Zueitina.

Threat Assessment

The National Oil Company (NOC) is responsible for securing oil port facilities with their own armed force, the Petroleum Facility Guards (PFG). Ongoing disputes between the PFG and NOC continue to hamper efforts to increase oil production and supply in the country, potentially placing tankers with legal cargoes at risk of seizure should the issue not be resolved. The oil industry is integral to Libya’s economy and is appropri-ately safeguarded. Divisions between the east and west NOC branches and the control of ports has not yet impacted on the security of a vessel. Many Libyan ports are operational, but not without risk. MAST is able to provide risk assessments and crew training to improve situational awareness and risk appreciation. The additional threat to shipping should not be taken lightly.

The map below details the most common points of departure in Libya for migrants and the migrant vessels’ planned destina-tions. A large number of the vessels are rescued before reach-ing their destination and military sources are confirming that there is evidence that setting out to be rescued is a deliberate tactic.

Controlled by the Tobruk led government

Controlled by the Government of National Accord

Controlled by ISIS

Controlled by local forces

Controlled by Tuareg forces

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“Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

Gulf of GuineaSuspected sea bandits on Monday 8th attacked a military checkpoint at Tombi waterside in Nembe, a coastal community in Bayelsa East Senatorial district, Bayelsa State, allegedly killing three soldiers. Me-dia reports that the pirates, who caught the soldiers unawares, struck at about 10.00 am. They made away with a gunboat belonging to the military and two K2 rifles.

Incidents1. Four robbers armed with long knives boarded a berthed product tanker at the forecastle at 0200 LT on August 5th at Folawiyo Nispan Jetty, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria. They took hos-tage the duty pumpman on routine rounds and threatened him with long knives. The robbers submerged two hoses into the forward tank dome and commenced stealing the cargo. Once the cargo was filled into their boat, the robbers released the pumpman, and escaped. (IMB)

2. Four robbers in a small motor boat approached an anchored bulk carrier on August 7th at 0030 LT in position 04:44.9S – 011:46.3E, Pointe Noire Outer Anchorage, The Congo. Two robbers boarded the ship and broke into the bosun store, which triggered an alarm on the bridge. Duty officer raised the alarm and alerted the piracy watch crew members who started making their way towards the forward. Seeing the alerted crew, the two robbers escaped with their accomplices waiting in the boat. Upon investigation, nothing reported stolen. (IMB)

Threat Assessment

All vessels operating in the GoG should conduct a thorough risk assessment and practice emergency drills. Locally procured

patrol boats can, in the right circumstances, enhance a vessel’s security.

MAST recommends that vessels transiting the region register with MDAT-GoG to ensure domain awareness. Contact watch-keepers@mdat-gog.org or call +33(0)2 98 22 88 88.

MAST advises against the use of embarked armed Nigerian Navy personnel. Under contact from pirates, embarked armed Nigerian guards will draw increased fire towards the bridge of the vessel which can result in the death or injury of crew mem-bers and damage to the vessel. The Secure Anchorage Area (SAA) off Lagos provides effective protection for drifting and waiting vessels and the area has been piracy free for several months. It has also been reported that there is an unofficial, but operational SAA off the Bonny River. MAST can advise on risk assessments, the most effective countermeasures and on the most effective locally procured Nigerian patrol vessels to escort vessels to and from operation in Nigeria to 150nm offshore.

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity

Theft

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’

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2

Hijack

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South East AsiaA report that a trawler Captain had been kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf militants near Sabah’s east coast on August 1st is being investigated by police. However, investigators believe the modus operandi and ransom demand do not fit Abu Sayyaf patterns. “We are trying to establish if the incident was really a kidnapping. We are questioning the two crewmen to establish the facts,’’ Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun told a press conference in Tawau on Saturday August 6th.

Hijack

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity

Incidents 1. Late report: A robber boarded anchored Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier at 2100 UTC in position 00:17S - 117:40E, Samarinda Anchorage, Indonesia. Deck crew spotted a robber with a long knife on the forecastle and one speed boat (3-4 men). The robbers fled from the vessel. Duty crew doubled on deck. One crew member stayed on watch. Radio kept on. Rigged razor wire attached to the anchor chain pipe.2. Late report: Robbers boarded anchored Panama-flagged bulk carrier on July 29th at 2300 LT in position 10:16.03N - 107:01.83E, Vung Tau anchorage, Vietnam. Duty crew on rou-tine rounds spotted the robbers. Upon seeing the alerted crew, robbers fled with stolen ship’s stores. A search was carried out on board. Incident reported to VTIS Vungtau. 3. Three robbers in a small boat approached and boarded an anchored Malta-flagged bulk carrier on August 7th at 0005 LT in position 10:15.50N – 107:01.26E, Cai-Mep, Vung Tau Anchor-age, Vietnam. Duty crew on routine rounds noticed the rob-bers and raised the alarm. All crew mustered on the main deck.

Hearing the alarm and seeing the crew alertness, the robbers escaped, in their boat, with stolen ship’s stores after 15 mins. It was reported that the forecastle suffered some damage. Port Control informed. (IMB/ReCAAP)

Threat AssessmentOpportunistic theft of ships stores and equipment continues to be sporadically spread across the archipelagos of SE Asia. Thieves tend to be non violent and will escape when spotted. We encourage vessels to conduct thorough risk assessments when operating with SE Asian archipelagos and to adopt appro-priate measures to protect vessel and crew.

Abu Sayyaf has traditionally targeted small slower vessels such as fishing vessels, passenger vessels, yachts, tugs and vessels under tow with the intent of kidnapping crew for ransom. Vessels operating in the Sulu Sea should adopt security meas-ures. MAST anticipates a fall in incident reports once joint pa-trols and armed guards are implemented.

“Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

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Theft

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“Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

Central and South America With the Olympics underway in Brazil, terrorism concerns remain high. According to reports from NBC News, over 1,000 intelligence operatives have been sent to provide extra security for the games in ad-dition to several U.S. Special Operation Command soldiers who have been sent to work with Brazilian forces. Reports also suggest that a U.S. Marine Corps Marine Security Guard Security Augmentation Unit (MSAU) has been deployed to enhance security.

Incidents

Nothing serious 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 national 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.

Hijack

Kidnap

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Suspicious Activity

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“Making the maritime environment a safer place to live and work”

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