Somalia…..the perfect storm! July 20, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: gulf of aden, gulf of aden security, InfoSec, maritime piracy, Maritime Security, Somalia
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For the number one failed state in the world, things just got a whole lot worse. According to Mark Bowden, the U.N.’s top official in charge of humanitarian aid to Somalia, “the U.N. needs $300 million in humanitarian aid in Somalia over the next two months.”
The last time conditions were this bad was in 1992, when hundreds of thousands of Somalis starved to death. That famine prompted intervention by an international peacekeeping force, but it eventually pulled out after two American Black Hawk helicopters were shot down in 1993.
This problem, along with all the other problems the entire region is facing, will provide an abundant supply of Somali men who will resort to piracy as a means to an end. The weak, U.N.-backed Somali government regularly comes last in the world in the annual corruption rating by watchdog Transparency International. With ransoms for pirated vessels reaching record levels, attacks occurring during monsoon season, and pirate groups operating further out at sea and with greater sophistication; the commercial shipping industry must take pro active steps to protect its interests when operating in the region.
UAE Tanker Hijacked in Indian Ocean July 18, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security.Tags: Chris Mark, gulf of aden, InfoSec, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk management, Somalia
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Today 9 Somalian pirates hijacked the MV Jubba XX tanker in the Northern Indian Ocean. The fully laden tanker was enroute from UEA to Berbera, Somalia when attacked. The pirates have captured the ship as well as her 16 crewmen. As the IMB stated: “In the last six months, Somali pirates attacked more vessels than ever before and they’re taking higher risks,” said IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan. “This June, for the first time, pirates fired on ships in rough seas in the Indian Ocean during the monsoon season. In the past, they would have stayed away in such difficult conditions. Masters should remain vigilant,’’
Pirates are becoming more violent and taking greater risks in their pursuit of targets.
Improvise, Adapt, Overcome! July 15, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Armed escort, Chris Mark, gulf of aden, InfoSec, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security
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The pirates are clearly applying all three tactics. While the problem won’t be solved on the high seas alone, right now this is where the rubber is meeting the road. That said, recent intelligence indicates that pirates are purchasing information from operatives in London and the Persian Gulf, which provides precise information where the most lucrative and vulnerable ships will be.
In asymmetric warfare, intelligence becomes a key aspect in defeating practices being used against your tactics. British police recently detected efforts to obtain information for pirates, and believe these efforts are becoming more intense.
Having transited the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean personally on clients’ vessels no less than six times, I can tell you first hand that this modus operandi has been occurring for well over a year, yet the industry is only now acknowledging this fact.
Pirates are equipping mother ships with GPS, radar and satellite phones, which enables them to direct skiffs to actual latitude/longitude positions. A recently pirated vessel that was released reported that when pirates boarded the vessel, they asked the crew “where they had been,” and that they were waiting for them for two hours.
Pirates are actively seeking information on shipping companies’ plans in general. Pirates are beginning to equip boarding parties with explosives and welding equipment to give them a chance of breaching citadels; this will keep warships away because now they have hostages.
Pirates Demand Compensation from South Korea July 15, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security.Tags: Maritime Security
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Pirates holding South Korean hostages have demanded that South Korea release pirates being held, pay a ransom for the hostages being held by the pirates and pay compensation for a commando raid that killed several pirates.
Using hostages in an attempt to get concessions from a government is yet another new trick being employed by the pirates. The first time this tactic was used was in April when pirates made similar demands of the Indian government. Pirate Hanson Abdi said:
“First, we want the South Korean government to change its foolish treatment of us and come with a better approach toward us,” he said in a statement read to the AP.
“Second, we want compensation from them because they killed our brothers and they also have to release others in their jails. After that we may reconsider holding their nationals in our hands,” The MV Gemini was hijacked in April and its crew of four South Koreans were taken captive. According to Tim Hunt,
“It takes out the economic element and introduces a political one,” he said. “They’re working outside the model they’ve built up of cash for hostages, and they’re not holding up their side of the bargain.”
Pirates Sieze Vessel Carrying Livestock July 15, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Chris Mark, InfoSec, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security
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The end of the claims that no ships have been hijacked since April has officially ended. On July 15th, Pirates hijacked a vessel carrying livestock bound for the UAE. The vessel was sailing from Bosasso to UAE and was hijacked just outside of Puntland. Considering it is still monsoon season, this suggests that the impending pirate season will be another record breaker.
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