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(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report 
27 August – 23 September 2020 
 

 

24 September 2020 

 

(U) Scope Note 
(U) Warnings and Advisories 
(U) Summary 
(U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region 
(U) Appendix A: Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea Statistics and Trends 
(U) Appendix B: Definitions and Sourcing 

 
 
 
(U) Table of Contents:  
 
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
 
1. (U) Scope Note 
 
(U) The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides information on threats to merchant vessels, the 
shipping industry, and other maritime stakeholders worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily 
to inform merchant mariners and naval forces. 
 
2. (U) Warnings and Advisories: No current warnings or advisories to report. 
 
3. (U) Summary: 
 

A. 

B. 

(U) GHANA: On 22 September, a skiff approached an underway Denmark-flagged tanker 72 NM southeast 
of Takoradi. 
 
(U) MEXICO: On 21 September, the Mexican Navy seized a Mexico-flagged product tanker at Veracruz 
Port for alleged transportation of stolen fuel.  
 

C. 

(U) SOMALIA: On 21 September, Somalia pirates freed the last three of the 3,639 hostages held in 

captivity over the past five years. 

 

 

D. 

(U) BRAZIL: On 20 September, a robbery occurred on a bulk carrier anchored at Macapa Anchorage. 

E. 

F. 

(U) CHINA: On 18 September, robbers boarded a Marshal Islands-flagged tanker at Rizhao Shelter 
Anchorage. 
 
(U) PHILIPPINES: On 6 September, robbers managed to board unnoticed on an anchored Liberia-flagged 
container vessel at the Manila South Harbor Anchorage Area.  
 

 

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G. 

(U) PHILIPPINES: On 5 September, a robbery occurred on a Liberia-flagged container vessel anchored at 
the Manila Anchorage. 
 

4. (U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region 
 
(U) This section lists reports of active violence against shipping, credible threats to shipping, or the potential for a 
situation to develop into a direct threat to shipping over the last 30 days. Every effort is made to ensure that 
incidents are not double-counted. In the event double counting is detected, or an incident is later found to be 
different than initially reported, an explanation of the cancellation of the inaccurate report will be made in at least 
one message prior to dropping the erroneous report. 
 
A. (U) NORTH AMERICA:  

 

 

Figure 1. North America Piracy and Maritime Crime 

 

 

 
1. (U) MEXICO: On 21 September at 0842LT, the Mexican Navy seized a Mexico-flagged product tanker BLUE 
COMMANDER at Veracruz Port for alleged transportation of stolen fuel. The vessel and 21 crew members were 
arrested for the crime of possessing hydrocarbons without the paperwork showing its source. According to the 
report, the illegal fuel-theft operation was part of a larger conspiracy run by the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel 
and the Sangre Nueva Zeta cartel. (The Maritime Executive) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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B. (U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:  
 

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Figure 2. South America Piracy and Maritime Crime 

 

 
1. (U) BRAZIL: On 20 September at 0410 UTC, a robbery occurred on a Denmark-flagged bulk carrier NORD 
NEPTUNE anchored at Macapa Anchorage near position 00:01N - 051:00W. Two robbers armed with knives were 
spotted near the forepeak store by a duty crew member on routine rounds. The duty officer was informed and the 
crew retreated into the accommodation. The alarm was raised, the crew mustered, and searchlights were directed 
towards the forepeak, which resulted in the robbers making their escape into a waiting boat with a white hull. A 
full search was conducted, which confirmed that ship's property had been stolen. The incident was reported to the 
pilot station. (Clearwater Dynamics,IMO-GISIS) 
 
2. (U) PERU: On 9 September, a duty crewman on routine rounds onboard a container ship anchored near position 

12:01.49S - 077:12.65W, Callao Anchorage, saw a robber on the forecastle deck. Seeing the duty crewman, the 

machete-armed robber shouted and ran towards the crewman, resulting in the crewman retreating into the 

accommodation area. When the crew raised the alarm, the robber fled empty-handed. The crew notified VTS and 

a patrol boat responded and search the anchorage area. (IMB) 

C. (U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report. 
 
D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE - BALTIC: No current incidents to report. 
 
E. (U) MEDITERRANEAN - BLACK SEA:  
 
1. (U) LIBYA: On 4 September at 0200LT, a group of armed men under the command of the Petroleum Facilities 
Guard (PFG) – including foreign mercenaries – forced the Comoros-flagged ship MOHAMED BEY into Ras Lanuf 
Port. The armed men fired live rounds and RPG shells to the vessel’s flammable and dangerous area, which 
intimidated the crew into yielding to their demands. The vessel was scheduled to enter the commercial section of 

 

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Ras Lanuf Port at 1100LT on the same day to load scrap when commandeered. There were no casualties reported. 
(Libya Herald, BBC) 
 
F. (U) WEST AFRICA: 
 

Figure 3. Gulf of Guinea Piracy and Maritime Crime 
 
1. (U) GHANA: On 22 September, a skiff approached an underway Denmark-flagged tanker HAFNIA PHOENIX, 72 
NM southeast of Takoradi near position 03:55N - 001:03W. The skiff came within half mile of the vessel and was 
seen with eight persons and a ladder onboard. The master carried out all anti-piracy measures, which resulted in 
the skiff aborting its approach. The vessel and crew were reported safe. (Clearwater Dynamics, Dryad Global)  

 

2. (U) ANGOLA: On 8 September at 2254LT, robbers boarded a container ship using the anchor chain at Luanda 
Anchorage near position 08:45S - 013:17E. When the crew spotted the robbers and raised the alarm, the robbers 
fled empty-handed. (Clearwater Dynamics) 

3. (U) NIGERIA: On 8 September at 0930 UTC, pirates boarded the Liberia-flagged reefer ship WATER PHOENIX 
approximately 31 NM south-southwest of Lagos near position 05:53N - 003:17E. At the time, the vessel was 
transiting to Lagos. The pirates kidnapped two Russian nationals, one of which was the Captain, while the rest of 
the crew (5 Russians and 11 Filipinos) took shelter in the citadel. The Nigerian Navy responded, conducted a 
search, and escorted the vessel to safe anchorage. The rest of the crew were reported safe. (Clearwater Dynamics, 
Dryad Global, FleetMon, Splash247)  

4. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 September at 0215LT, a small boat with unidentified individuals onboard approached a 
berthed tanker at Shorelink Jetty, Port Harcourt, at position 04:46N - 007:00E. The detailed naval security onboard 
directed the spotlight toward the approaching boat, but the boat continued its approach. The security detail fired 
three warning shots, which caused the boat to move away. The ship conducted a search and found no robbers 
onboard. The port authorities responded to the incident. (Clearwater Dynamics)   

5. (U) TOGO: On 29 August at 0230 UTC, seven or eight pirates onboard a small craft using grappling hooks 
attempted to board the anchored Bahamas-flagged container vessel BAHMAS in Lome at position 06:01N - 

 

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001:31E. The crew on watch spotted the pirates, raised the alarm, and repelled those boarding with the use of fire 
hoses. (Clearwater Dynamics, Dryad Global) 

6. (U) IVORY COAST: On 29 August, robbers were able to board a tugboat anchored at Abidjan at position 05:15N 
- 004:00W. The robbers managed to steal an outboard motor and some safety equipment before escaping 
undetected. (Clearwater Dynamics) 

7. (U) GHANA: On 28 August at 0730LT, six to eight pirates in a speedboat attacked and boarded the underway 
Ghana-flagged fishing vessel AP703 110 NM southeast of Tema at position 04:34N - 001:31E. Pirates kidnapped 
the vessel’s South Korean Captain and Chief Engineer. The remaining crew took the vessel to Tema, where local 
authorities investigated the incident. (Clearwater Dynamics, Dryad Global, IMB) 

G. (U) ARABIAN GULF: No current incidents to report. 
 
H. (U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA - RED SEA: 
 
1. (U) SOMALIA: On 21 September, Somalia pirates freed the last three of the 3,639 hostages held in captivity over 
the past five years. The three had been working on an Iranian fishing vessel SIRAJ, when it was hijacked off the 
coast of Hobyo, Somalia in March 2015. They are now undergoing medical check-ups, including tests for COVID-
19, and will be on their way home after the clinical procedures. (ICC-CCS) 
 
2. (U) YEMEN: On 9 September at 0600LT, a fast craft with ten individuals onboard approached the underway 
Norway-flagged tanker BOW ORION 28 NM southeast of Perim Island, near the Bab el Mandeb Strait at position 
12:22N - 043:48E. The individuals requested the vessel stop via VHF radio. The Captain increased speed and 
carried out lockdown procedures while the armed embarked security team took their positions on the bridge. The 
fast craft came to within 400 meters before breaking off its approach. The crew spotted weapons onboard the fast 
craft during the incident. A fast craft previously approached a bulk carrier in the vicinity communicating via VHF 
radio that they were Yemen Coast Guard requesting specific information about the vessel. (Clearwater Dynamics, 
Dryad Global) 
 
3. (U) YEMEN: On 31 August, the Saudi-led military coalition intercepted and destroyed an unmanned, remotely 
controlled, explosive laden boat in Hodeidah governorate in the Red Sea. In a press statement, the coalition said 
the bomb-laden boat was launched by the Iran-backed Houthi "terrorist" militia. (Dryad Global, Saudi Press 
Agency) 
 
4. (U) YEMEN: on 31 August at 0810LT, two skiffs approached an underway Singapore-flagged tanker 26.5 NM 
southeast of Perim Island, near the Bab el Mandeb Strait at position 12:26N - 043:46E. The skiffs with six persons 
onboard came to within 300 meters when the vessel sounded the alarm. The skiffs aborted their approach upon 
seeing the vessel’s security team onboard. The vessel continued safely to its destination. (Clearwater Dynamics) 
 
5. (U) MOZAMBIQUE: On 27 August, the IS-affiliated terrorist organization Ansar al-Sunna moved units to the 
islands of 'Ilha Mionge/Nhonge' off the coast of Mozambique. The island is in the Mozambique Channel 12 miles 
southwest of the port of Mocimboa da Praia, which the Islamic affiliated group took control on 12 August. There 
were unconfirmed reports that beheadings and acts of kidnapping may have taken place, as well as the seizure of 
fishing vessels in the vicinity. (Bloomberg, Marine Link, Dryad Global) 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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I. (U) EAST ASIA - SOUTHEAST ASIA:  

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Figure 4. East Asia – Southeast Asia Piracy and Maritime Crime 

 

 
 

1. (U) CHINA: On 18 September at 0230 UTC, robbers boarded a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker TRF HORTEN at 
Rizhao Shelter Anchorage near position 35:04N - 120:06E. They stole ship's equipment and escaped unnoticed. 
The incident was reported to both the local agents and port authority. (Clearwater Dynamics, IMO-GISIS) 

2. (U) PHILIPPINES: (Late Reporting) On 6 September at 0433LT, while at anchor waiting for crew change, robbers 
managed to board unnoticed onto the Liberia-flagged container ship ARGUELLO near position 14:35N - 120:52E, 
at the Manila South Harbor Anchorage Area. The duty crew spotted that the lock of the bosun store was broken 
and raised the alarm. Ship’s stores including fire nozzles, fireman suits, a breathing apparatus, an unlocking twist 
lock, a flashlight, and a scaling machine had been stolen. The crew were safe. The incident was reported to VTMS 
Manila and the Philippine Coast Guard. (Clearwater Dynamics, ReCAAP, IMO-GISIS) 

3. (U) PHILIPPINES: (Late Reporting) On 5 September at 0220LT, a robbery occurred on a Liberia-flagged container 
ship ELA anchored at the Manila Anchorage near position 14:35N - 120:52E. A duty crew on security rounds 
spotted a robber armed with a knife and wearing a mask hiding behind a life raft at the bow of the vessel. The 
crew reported to the bridge, raised the alarm, and a search was conducted. The robber escaped, after which two 
breathing apparatuses and a gong were discovered stolen. The crew were safe. The incident was reported to 
VTMS Manila and the Philippine Coast Guard, who conducted an investigation. (Clearwater Dynamics, ReCAAP, 
IMO-GISIS). 

4. (U) INDONESIA: On 12 September, the Cyprus-flagged dredger QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS was attacked by 
fishermen and activists as the ship moved to her new working site in the waters of Takalar Regency, southernmost 
Sulawesi. The protestors threw stones and Molotov cocktails, which ignited several fires onboard. Protesters also 

 

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cut several pneumatic cables. QUEEN OF NETHERLANDS had to return to Makassar Port for repairs. Marine police 
intervened and arrested 12 protesters. (FleetMon) 
 
5. (U) INDONESIA: (Late Reporting) On 25 June, robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position 00:15.16S 
- 117:35.54E, Muara Berau Anchorage. The robbers broke into the bosun storeroom, stole ship’s stores, and 
escaped unseen. The theft was noticed later by the duty AB on security rounds. The crew reported the incident to 
port control. The Indonesian Marine Police (IMP) boarded the ship for investigation. On 11 July, the IMP identified 
and apprehended three persons responsible for the theft, and managed to recover the stolen items. The master 
and the CSO were able collect the stolen items from the IMP Regional Directorate of East Kalimantan. (IMB) 
 
6. (U) VIETNAM: (Late Reporting) On 14 June, robbers boarded a bulk carrier anchored near position 102:10N - 
107:03E, Vung Tau Anchorage. They stole ship’s property and escaped unseen. The crew discovered the robbery 
while transiting to their next port. (IMB) 
 
7. (U) MALAYSIA: On 30 August at 0040LT, a robber boarded a Marshall Island-flagged bulk carrier SEA DIAMOND 
underway eastbound in the Singapore Traffic Separation Scheme 25 NM southeast of Singapore near position 
01:16N - 104:15E. The crew subsequently conducted a search, but the robber had escaped. The crew’s security 
checks revealed nothing was stolen. (Clearwater Dynamics, ReCAAP)  
 
8. (U) MALAYSIA: On 29 August at 2348LT, six robbers boarded the Iran-flagged bulk carrier AMINA underway 
eastbound of the Singapore Traffic Separation Scheme north of Bintan near position 01:16N - 104:16E. The crew 
subsequently searched the vessel and conducted security checks, but the robbers had escaped empty-handed. 
The vessel and crew continued to their destination. (Clearwater Dynamics, ReCAAP)  
 
9. (U) INDONESIA: On 29 August at 0305 UTC, four robbers boarded the chemical tanker anchored in Dumai 
Anchorage near position 01:42N - 101:26E. When the duty crew spotted the robbers armed with knives, they 
raised the alarm and the crew mustered in the citadel. Upon hearing the alarm, the robbers fled empty-handed. 
After the crew reported the incident to the port control, local authorities responded and boarded the vessel to 
investigate. (IMB, Clearwater Dynamics) 
 
J. (U) INDIAN SUBCONTINENT: No current incidents to report. 
 
K. (U) AUSTRALIA - NEW ZEALAND - PACIFIC OCEAN AREA:  

1. (U) PAPUA NEW GUINEA: On 7 September, two suspected pirates were arrested by local authorities on 

Kanakota Island, Samarai-Murua District, Milne Bay province. Police following leads raided the village on the island 

and rounded up the pirates and confiscated two shotguns. They were suspected of belonging to a gang that 

attacked and robbed travelers at sea. (PNG–Post Courier) 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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5. (U) Appendix A: Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea Statistics and Trends: 
 

 

 

A. (U) Definitions: In order to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference, we use the following 
definitions to describe a range of criminal anti-shipping activity and impediments to safe navigation in our 
worldwide reporting and analysis: 
 

(U) Attempted Boarding – Close approach or hull-to-hull contact with report that boarding 
paraphernalia were employed or visible in the approaching boat. 

(U) Blocking – Hampering safe navigation, docking, or undocking of a vessel as a means of protest. 

(U) Boarding – Unauthorized embarkation of a vessel by persons not part of its complement without 
successfully taking control of the vessel. 

(U) Fired Upon – Weapons discharged at or toward a vessel. 

(U) Hijacking – Unauthorized seizure and retention of a vessel by persons not part of its complement.  

(U) Kidnapping – Unauthorized forcible removal of persons belonging to the vessel from it. 

(U) Hijacking/Kidnapping Combination – Unauthorized seizure and retention of a vessel by persons not 
part of its complement who forcefully remove crew members from vessel when disembarking. 

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(U) Robbery – Theft from a vessel or from persons aboard the vessel. 

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(U) Suspicious Approach – All other unexplained activity in close proximity of an unknown vessel. 

 
B. (U) Sourcing: ONI derives information in this report primarily from government agencies, piracy reporting 
centers, maritime security companies, and open press. 
 
(U) ICOD: 24 Sep 2020 
 
(U) The Weekly Piracy Update (WPU) and Worldwide Threat to Shipping reports are posted weekly on the ONI 
Intelligence Portal: https://www.oni.navy.mil/News/Shipping-Threat-Reports/ 

 

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