West African Pirate Attacks Mimic Those In GoA July 9, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security, Risk & Risk Management.Tags: Chris Mark, gulf of aden, InfoSec, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, Somalia
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According to Bergen Risk Solutions, attacks off of the coast of Nigeria are beginning to resemble those off of the coast of Somalia in what some say is a disturbing trend. In June, 2011 there were five attacks alone. The pirates are opting against the traditional robbery and are instead adopting the Somali tactics of hijacking the ships and holding for ransom. The attacks demonstrate an increasing use of the Automated Ship Identification system (AIS) to target vessels as well as violence in their attacks. 1 person was killed in the attacks in June. Bergen Risk stated:
“Anecdotal evidence gathered in Nigeria confirms that the group has watched the modus operandi used by Somali pirates and has emulated their use of motherships.”
It added: “We find that most attacks are carried out in the hours of darkness, that pirates have no problems in carrying strikes up to 50 to 60 nautical miles from shore (but the vast majority of incidents are much closer to land) and that they have a very low threshold for using violence. Many crew members have been severely beaten and even shot during attacks.”
Tanker with Millions of Barrels of Oil Ablaze In GoA July 6, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security, weapons and tactics.Tags: armed security, Chris Mark, InfoSec, maritime piracy, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security
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Bloomberg reports that an oil tanker was attacked approximately 20 miles from Aden and wet ablaze. The 274m Brillante Virtuoso was attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden and reported ablaze at 0037z. The 26 crew members are reported to be OK and the ship is currently being pulled by two tugs. The ship was attacked when approaching port to take on unarmed guards, it is reported.
Pirate Ransom Payments going to Somali Militant Groups July 6, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Laws and Leglslation, Piracy & Maritime Security, Risk & Risk Management, weapons and tactics.Tags: Chris Mark, InfoSec, maritime piracy, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk management
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According to John Steed, the principal military adviser to the U.N. special envoy to Somalia and head of the envoy’s counter-piracy unit, said links between armed pirate gangs and Somalia’s al Qaeda-affiliated rebels were gradually firming.
“The payment of ransoms just like any other funding activity, illegal or otherwise, is technically in breach of the Somalia sanctions regime if it makes the security situation in Somalia worse,” said Steed.
“Especially if it is ending up in the hands of terrorists or militia leaders — and we believe it is, some directly, some more indirectly,” said Steed, a retired military officer. For those who believe it is still all speculation, an Al Shabab representative confirmed the arrangement:
“If there was no relationship between us, there is no way the pirates would be able to operate, or carry their weapons within zones we control,” said an al Shabaab militant based in the pirate haven of Haradhere, north of Mogadishu.
Unfortunately, this means shipping companies may be in violation of international sanctions if they pay ransoms to the pirate groups. Under the terms of the arms embargo on Somalia, financial support to armed groups in the Horn of Africa country is banned. Both the United States and Britain regard al Shabaab as a terrorist organisation.
The best course of action for shipping companies is to ensure that their ships are adequately protected from takeover.
Royal Navy Prevents Pirate Attack July 5, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security.Tags: Chris Mark, InfoSec, maritime piracy, Piracy & Maritime Security
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On July 4th, 2011 ten pirates in two skiffs made an attempt to board the MV Sagar Ratan approximately 150 miles from Muscat, Oman. The ship signaled SOS and took evasive maneuvers while the RFS Fort Victoria headed toward the ship. According to reports, the pirates fired 5 RPGs at the Ratan and attempted to board using boarding ladders. At the same time the Fort Victoria was heading toward the ship, 2 F/A-18 fighters were launched from the USS Ronald Reagan. In addition to thwarting the attack, the Fort Victoria also identified the pirate mother-ship the Taiwanese fishing vessel Shiuh Fu No. 1 which had been hijacked Christmas day off the coast of Madagascar (pictured). As the monsoon season is due to end shortly it is clear that the pirate attacks will again pick up steam. For this reason it is important for ship owners and other stakeholders to carefully consider whether to arm their ships with contracted armed guards.
IMO Issues Guidance to Stakeholders on Use of Armed Guards June 28, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Laws and Leglslation, Piracy & Maritime Security, Risk & Risk Management.Tags: Chris Mark, IMO, InfoSec, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security
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In the circular MSC.1/Circ.1405 dated May 23, 2011 the International Maritime Organization issued guidance to shipowners, operators, and masters on the use of privately contracted armed security personnel aboard ships. As stated in the document, the purpose is to:
“…assist shipowners, ship operators and ship masters considering the use of PCASP on board ships to provide additional protection against piracy.”
The document includes a number of criteria for identifying, and vetting contracted armed security personnel. I feel that one of the most important is that which states that owners, operators, and/or masters should verify:
“availability of documentary evidence that firearms are procured, transported, embarked and disembarked legally;”
There is evidence that a few companies have armed ships using weapons procured through less than ideal circumstances (for the owners, operators, and masters) and may expose the shipping stakeholders to risk.
Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management 