Protection Vessels International has released the 25th Weekly Maritime Security Report of 2019. The report summarized on 10th July 2019 highlights the various incidents that took place in the past week.
Yemen: Skiffs approach merchant vessel in Bab el-Mandeb
A merchant vessel transiting through the Bab el-Mandeb was approached by three skiffs (within 0.1 nm) each with five persons on board, on 1 July. The crew and the vessel were reported safe after the merchant vessel’s Armed Security Team showed their weapons.
Indonesia: Robbers board bulk carrier in Tanjung Priok Port
A berthed Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier was attacked by robbers during cargo operations in the port of Tanjung Priok in Jakarta. The incident was reported to the local Port Authority, who carried out an inspection.
Malaysia: Indonesian robbers attempt to steal from vessel off Pengerang
According to late reports, a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) patrol sighted two wooden boats, both named Lima Sore, secured to a tanker that was anchored approximately 2.9 nm south of Teluk Ramunia, Pengerang.
The patrol found four perpetrators who attempted to steal items, including scrap metal, from the tanker, all of whom were arrested. However, two of them subsequently escaped by jumping overboard when one of the MMEA patrol boats broke down on the way back to the maritime base in Tanjung Pengelih. The two suspects who had escaped were later arrested in Pulau Batam, Indonesia, by Indonesian authorities.
Togo: Armed bandits target Liberian-flagged container ship in Lome Anchorage
Six armed bandits onboard a boat attacked a Liberian-flagged container ship in Lome Anchorage. The duty officer aboard noticed the boat and alarmed the navy, who reportedly sent a patrol vessel to the scene and provided security for the container ship.
China: Customs seize 1,500 tonnes of smuggled frozen food in Hebei
Customs seized over 1,500 tonnes of frozen food worth USD 7.3 mn in Shijiazhuang, the capital city of northern Hebei province. Authorities arrested eight suspects and confiscated 52 containers at the port of Tangshan in the province on 28 June. The food, including frozen beef and beef tripe products, was smuggled from South Korea on 21 June. Authorities have launched an investigation into the seizure.
China: Customs seize 500 tonnes of smuggled sugar in Suzhou
Customs dismantled a sugar-smuggling network in the eastern city of Suzhou, seizing over 500 tonnes of sugar and arresting seven suspects. The officials also seized one ship in the operation.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the case. Authorities in Suzhou have intensified their efforts to crack down on smuggling of petroleum products and sugar in recent years. Customs in Suzhou have intercepted six sugar-smuggling networks since the start of 2018, seizing 2,758 tonnes of sugar worth about USD 9.6 mn, according to Xinhua.
Cyprus: Turkish vessel to begin drilling off coast
The Turkish energy minister said that a second Turkish drilling vessel would begin exploration for oil and gas in the eastern Mediterranean. The vessel would join one Turkish vessel already operating off the coast of Cyprus. The statement comes after the EU warned Turkey in June to end exploration in disputed waters near Cyprus or face action.
Honduras: Boat sinking kills 27 off northern coast
A fishing boat sunk about 40 nm off Cayo Gorda, the northern coast of Honduras, killing 27 people. Nine other people are missing and 55 others were rescued. Authorities said another fishing boat carrying 49 people also sunk in the same area just hours earlier, but all passengers were rescued.
Local authorities said that the incidents were caused by inclement weather.
Iran: Tehran threatens to seize UK vessels in retaliation for tanker seizure
An Iranian council member threatened to seize a UK commercial vessel in a statement posted onto social media in retaliation for the detention of Iranian super-tanker Grace 1 off the coast of Gibraltar on 4 July.
The tanker was suspected of carrying oil from Iran to Syria, a breach of EU sanctions. Following the seizure, the Iranian foreign ministry condemned the move as illegal. The council member did not confirm details of how Iranian forces would seize UK commercial vessels.
Pakistan: Boat capsizes, kills four in Khyber Paktunkhwa
A boat capsized in Khyber Paktunkhwa, killing at least four people with 21 others missing. The boat was reportedly carrying passengers along the Indus River from Shangla to Haripur district when it overturned. Officials said search and rescue operations are ongoing. The cause of the incident was unclear.
Tunisia: More than 80 migrants likely drowned after vessel capsizes off Zarzis
The UN said that as many as 80 migrants and refugees may have drowned after their vessel capsized off the coast of Tunisia near Zarzis as they attempted to cross the Mediterranean. Local fishing vessels rescued four individuals, one of whom later died, following the capsizing.
According to officials, migrants said that their vessel had left Zuwara in Libya. Human smugglers, largely operating in Libya, often put migrants and refugees to sea in unseaworthy vessels.
United Arab Emirates: British vessel unharmed amid concerns over stop in Gulf
A British official said that a UK-flagged super tanker, Pacific Voyager, was safe after it stopped in the Gulf, prompting concerns that it had been detained by Iranian forces.
The stop came a day after an Iranian official had threatened to seize a UK vessel in response to the seizure of an Iranian crude tanker off the coast of Gibraltar. The vessel had halted position while en route to Saudi Arabia to ensure a correct arrival time.
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Source: ProtectionVessels
