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(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report,

9 February 2022

(U) Table of Contents:

1. (U) Scope Note

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 active warnings or advisories.

3. (U) Summary:

A. (U) GHANA: On 9 February, two robbers were sighted onboard an anchored general cargo vessel at Takoradi
Anchorage.

B. (U) ANGOLA: On 8 February, a robbery occurred on a tanker anchored at Luanda Anchorage.

C. (U) INDONESIA: On 8 February, four unauthorized personnel boarded an underway tanker in the eastbound
lane of the Singapore Strait Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS).

D. (U) INDONESIA: On 8 February, two robbers boarded a tanker anchored at inner Balikpapan Anchorage.

E. (U) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: On 5 February, an attempted boarding occurred on an anchored tanker at Khor
Fakkan Anchorage.

F. (U) PERU: On 4 February, three robbers armed with knives boarded a bulk carrier at Callao Anchorage.

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G. (U) NIGERIA: On 4 February, an additional seven hostages of the 17 kidnapped from a passenger boat on 17
January were released. Five hostages remain in the camp.

H. (U) SOUTH AFRICA: On 2 February, a robbery occurred on the Panama-flagged bulk carrier while berthed at
port of Durban.

I. (U) MALAYSIA: On 2 February, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker was boarded while berthed at Sandakan Port,
Sabah.

J. (U) INDONESIA: On 2 February, three robbers armed with knives boarded the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk
carrier anchored at Belawan Anchorage.

K. (U) INDIA: On 25 January, a robbery occurred on a bulk carrier berthed at port of Haldia.

4. (U) 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 that 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: No current incidents to report.

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

Figure 1. Central America – Caribbean – South America Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) PERU: On 4 February, at 0200 local time, three robbers armed with knives boarded the Malta-flagged bulk
carrier ATLANTIC ELM anchored at Callao Anchorage, near position 12:01S – 077:13W. Robbers restrained the
roving crew on-duty. The on-duty officer noticed the robbers and raised the alarm. The perpetrators escaped on a
waiting boat with stolen ship’s property. The incident was reported to the agent and port authorities. (ReCAAP;
IMB; vesseltracker.com; Clearwater Dynamics)

2. (U) BRAZIL: On 25 January, at 1945 local time, crew members on the anchored Singapore-flagged bulk carrier
KT BIRDIE foiled an attempted boarding at Macapa Anchorage, near position 00:00N – 050:59W. Two small boats
were seen approaching the vessel, after which three robbers wearing black diving suits attempted to board from
different positions. The master raised the alarm and mustered the crew. The crew used anti-piracy hoses to
repulse the perpetrators, and, at 2000 local time, the crew observed the three perpetrators fleeing in one of the
two boats spotted earlier. (ReCAAP; IMB; vesseltracker.com; Clearwater Dynamics)

3. (U) VENEZUELA: On 25 January, at 0210 local time, a robbery occurred on the United Kingdom-flagged bulk
carrier BERGE GALDHOPPIGEN anchored at Guanta Anchorage, near position 10:16N – 064:35W. Two robbers
were spotted onboard, the alarm was raised, and the crew were mustered. The perpetrators escaped with stolen
ship’s property and stores. The incident was reported to port authorities. (IMB; vesseltracker.com; Clearwater
Dynamics)

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4. (U) BRAZIL: On 23 January, at 0120 local time, four robbers armed with a handgun and a machete boarded the
anchored Singapore-flagged bulk carrier KT BIRDIE at Macapa Anchorage, near position 00:00N – 050:59W. The
robbers were spotted in the forecastle by the on-duty crew member. The robbers restrained the crew member and
confiscated his handheld radio. After more than an hour, the perpetrator released the restrained crew member,
who immediately raised the alarm. The crew were mustered, conducted a search, and discovered that the
perpetrators escaped with stolen ship’s property. (ReCAAP; IMB; vesseltracker.com; Clearwater Dynamics)

5. (U) PERU: On 22 January, at 1940 local time, three robbers boarded the Panama-flagged bulk carrier VEGA ROSE
anchored at Callao Anchorage, near position 12:01S – 077:13W. The alarm was raised, and the crew were
mustered, after which the perpetrators escaped empty-handed. The incident was reported to the agent and port
authorities, who boarded the vessel and conducted an investigation. (IMB; vesseltracker.com; Clearwater
Dynamics)

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: No current incidents to report.

F. (U) WEST AFRICA – GULF OF GUINEA:

Figure 2. West Africa – Gulf of Guinea Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) GHANA: On 9 February, at 0040 local time, two robbers were sighted on the main deck onboard an
anchored general cargo vessel at Takoradi Anchorage, near position 04:54N – 001:42W. The alarm was raised, the

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crew were mustered, and the vessel was searched. It was later confirmed that the robbers escaped with stolen
ship’s stores. The incident was reported to the local authorities. (IMB; MDAT-GoG; Clearwater Dynamics)

2. (U) ANGOLA: On 8 February, at 0415 local time, a robbery occurred on a tanker anchored at Luanda Anchorage,
near position 08:44S – 013:18E. The robbers boarded the vessel by climbing through the anchor chain and
escaped unnoticed with stolen ship’s property. The incident was reported to the local authorities. (IMB; Clearwater
Dynamics)

3. (U) NIGERIA: On 4 February, seven hostages were released. They were part of a group of 17 kidnapped on 17
January from an underway passenger boat while in transit from Safe Journey Beach in Calabar, Cross River State,
to Oron Beach in Akwa Ibom State waterways. Five hostages remain in captivity. (Clearwater Dynamics)

4. (U) GHANA: On 2 February, at 0116 local time, a robber was sighted attempting to board the Cyprus-flagged
container vessel WARNOW MATE anchored at Takoradi Anchorage, near position 04:54N – 001:42W, through the
anchor chain. The alarm was raised, and the robber escaped on a waiting boat with two accomplices onboard. All
the crew were safe and the incident was reported to the local authorities. (IMB; MDAT-GoG; vesseltracker.com;
Clearwater Dynamics)

5. (U) ANGOLA: On 29 January, at 0210 local time, three robbers boarded two Panama-flagged crew boats,
SURFER 3601 and SURFER 3602, alongside each other at Luanda Anchorage, near position 08:47S – 013:15E. After
being spotted by the port security, the robbers escaped on a canoe powered by a small motor. (IMB; MDAT-GoG;
vesseltracker.com; Clearwater Dynamics)

6. (U) EQUATORIAL GUINEA: On 29 January, armed pirates onboard a speed boat approached and fired upon the
underway St. Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged roll-on roll-off ship DONA CANDIDA between Bata and Malabo,
near position 02:05N – 009:35W. The armed military guards onboard the ferry returned fire, which resulted in the
pirates moving away. (vesseltracker.com; Clearwater Dynamics)

7. (U) IVORY COAST: On 24 January, at 2323 local time, pirates hijacked the underway Marshall Islands-flagged
tanker B OCEAN approximately 53 NM south of Abidjan, near position 04:22N – 004:10W. Between 9 and 11
pirates armed with guns boarded the tanker, detained the crew, and turned off all communication and navigation
equipment. The pirates asked the bosun to paint over the vessel name written on top of the bridge. They then
used their own GPS equipment to rendezvous with an offtake vessel. Once alongside the offtake vessel, the pirates
had the chief officer and bosun commence discharge operations, which lasted for approximately six hours. The
pirates escaped with stolen cargo, ship’s properties and cash, and crew personal belongings and cash. The crew
were reported safe. (Dryad Global; Fleetmon; IMB; MDAT-GoG; Clearwater Dynamics)

8. (U) ANGOLA: On 23 January, at 0125 local time, a robbery occurred on a crew boat anchored at Luanda
Anchorage, near position 08:47SN – 013:14E. Two robbers boarded the vessel and forced their entry by breaking
the padlocks with a bar. The robbers stole several pieces of ship equipment, and escaped into a waiting canoe
with two or more accomplices onboard. The incident was reported to the port authorities. (IMB; MDAT-GoG;
Clearwater Dynamics)

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9. (U) ANGOLA: On 20 January, at 0100 local time, an undetermined number of robbers boarded a crew boat at
Luanda Anchorage, near position 08:46SN – 013:15E. They gained entry to the boat by breaking the padlocks on
the accommodation entrance. The robbers escaped with a stolen water pump. The incident was reported to the
port authorities. (MDAT-GoG; Clearwater Dynamics)

10. (U) NIGERIA: On 19 January, a group of fishing boats were boarded and robbed while fishing at the Brass River
entrance, Bayelsa State, near position 04:15N – 006:15E. The robbers stole the outboard engines from the fishing
boats and then escaped. The crew of the fishing boats were reported safe. (Clearwater Dynamics)

11. (U) NIGERIA: On 17 January, an underway passenger boat with 17 people onboard was hijacked and
kidnapped by pirates while on transit from Safe Journey Beach in Calabar, Cross River State, to Oron Beach in
Akwa Ibom State waterways, near position 04:55N – 008:17E. According to press reports, eight armed pirates
intercepted the boat with 16 passengers and one skipper onboard, comprised of 10 men and seven women, and
took them to an undisclosed camp. On 19 January, the pirates released five of the hostages: a four-year-old child,
a wounded man, a pregnant woman, an elderly woman, and the boat skipper. They were dropped off in
Akpabuyo, Cross River State and were taken into custody by the local authorities. Twelve of the hostages
remained in the camp. (Daily Post; People Gazette; NY Sahara Reporters)

12. (U) NIGERIA: On 14 January, three Cameroonian crew members, previously kidnapped from the Vanuatu-
flagged supply vessel MONTET TIDE approximately 62 NM south of Santo Antonio, Sao Tome and Principe on 25
October 2021, were reported released. (Clearwater Dynamics)

13. (U) NIGERIA: On 14 January, six crew members, previously kidnapped from the Liberia-flagged container ship
TONSBERG approximately 48 NM southwest of Luba, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea on 13 December 2021, were
reported released. (Clearwater Dynamics)

G. (U) ARABIAN GULF: No current incidents to report.

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H. (U) INDIAN OCEAN – EAST AFRICA – RED SEA:

Figure 3. Indian Ocean – East Africa – Red Sea Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: On 5 February, at 1445 local time, an attempted boarding occurred on an
anchored tanker at Khor Fakkan Anchorage, approximately 9 NM east of the port, near position 25:20N – 056:32E.
A small boat with two people onboard wearing diving suits was spotted alongside the vessel. Following the raising
of the alarm, the boat left the area. The crew and the vessel were reported safe and the port authorities were
informed. (UKMTO; IMB; Clearwater Dynamics)

2. (U) SOUTH AFRICA: On 2 February, at 2115 local time, a robbery occurred on the Panama-flagged bulk carrier
ISABELLA M while berthed at the port of Durban, near position 29:52S – 031:02E. The robbers stole crew’s
valuables and belongings and escaped unnoticed. The incident was reported to local authorities.
(vesseltracker.com; IMB; UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics).

3. (U) YEMEN: On 20 January, at 1610 local time, an underway chemical tanker reported a suspicious approach by
three small boats with a larger vessel nearby, approximately 53 NM southwest of Aden, near position 12:09N –
044:19E. The three small boats approached to within one NM of the tanker while the larger vessel came within
three NM. The master reported that there appeared to be a ladder in one of the small boats. (UKMTO; Dryad
Global; Clearwater Dynamics).

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I. (U) EAST ASIA – SOUTHEAST ASIA:

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

1. (U) INDONESIA: On 8 February, at 0126 local time, four unauthorized personnel boarded an underway tanker in
the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), near position 01:14N – 104:04E. The
four perpetrators were spotted in the engine room. The alarm was raised, and the robbers escaped empty-
handed. All crew were reported safe. (IMB; Clearwater Dynamics)

2. (U) INDONESIA: On 8 February, at 0114 local time, two robbers boarded a tanker anchored at inner Balikpapan
Anchorage, near position 01:16S – 116:47E. The robbers used a hook attached to a rope to board the vessel. The
on-duty crew member sighted the perpetrator at the forecastle and raised the alarm. Upon hearing the alarm, the
robbers escaped into a waiting boat with two accomplices onboard. The crew mustered and searched the vessel. It
was reported that the forecastle boatswain’s store was breached and ship’s stores were stolen. The incident was
reported to the local authorities. (IMB; Clearwater Dynamics)

3. (U) MALAYSIA: On 2 February, at 0540 local time, a robber boarded the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker PS
STARS while berthed at Sandakan Port, Sabah, near position 05:47N – 118:01E. The on-duty crew member sighted
the perpetrator near the forecastle store and raised the alarm. The crew mustered and searched the vessel. The
robber escaped and, following a search of the tanker, it was reported that the forecastle store was breached and
ship’s stores were stolen. The incident was reported to the local authorities. (IMB; vesseltracker.com; Clearwater
Dynamics)

4. (U) INDONESIA: On 2 February, at 0435 local time, three robbers armed with knives boarded the Marshall
Islands-flagged bulk carrier BOBIC anchored at Belawan Anchorage, near position 03:55N – 098:47E. The robbers
used a hook attached to a rope to board the vessel. They chased the on-duty crew member who was on routine

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rounds. The crew member managed to escape and raised the alarm. The crew mustered, and searched the vessel.
The robbers escaped with stolen ship’s property. The incident was reported to the local authorities. (IMB;
vesseltracker.com; Clearwater Dynamics)

5. (U) INDONESIA: On 30 January, at 0428 local time, two robbers boarded the underway Vietnam-flagged
tugboat HAI DUONG 29 while towing the Panama-flagged platform HAKURYU 5 about 4.6 NM northeast of
Karimun Kecil Island in the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), near position
01:10N – 103:29E. The robbers were seen on the vessel’s closed circuit television system as they boarded. It was
reported that nothing was stolen and that all crew were safe. The ship required no assistance and resumed her
voyage. (ReCAAP; Clearwater Dynamics)

6. (U) INDONESIA: On 17 January, at 2110 local time, the Indonesian Navy arrested 47 robbers and seized eight
boats caught stealing coal from a barge at Muara Kembang, buoy 17, Samarinda, East Kalimantan. According to
press reports, the robbers managed to unload 31 tons of coal from the barge to the boats. The perpetrators and
the boats were detained at Anggana naval station for further investigation. (Antara News; Kompas.com).

J. (U) INDIAN SUBCONTINENT:

Figure 5. Indian Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) INDIA: On 25 January, at 0446 local time, a robbery occurred on the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier
SEA GEMINI berthed at the port of Haldia, near position 22:02N – 088:05E. The robbers boarded the vessel using a
hook attached to a rope and escaped unnoticed with stolen ship’s property. The incident was reported to the local
authorities. (IMB; Clearwater Dynamics)

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2. (U) INDIA: On 19 January, at 2010 local time, a robbery occurred on an underway jack-up barge VIMLA–1 towed
by the India-flagged tug ROSE approximately 7.5 NM southeast of Alang, near position 21:21N – 072:18E. The
master spotted four perpetrators onboard the unmanned barge. The robbers subsequently escaped on a waiting
boat. The incident was reported to the Khambhat Vessel Traffic Service and an Indian Coast Guard vessel was
dispatched. The Coast Guard boarded the barge on arrival and discovered the lock to the living space was broken
and properties were stolen. (ReCAAP; Clearwater Dynamics)

3. (U) BANGLADESH: On 15 January, at 0000 local time, members of the Bangladesh Police Rapid Action Battalion
(RAB) arrested six suspected pirates armed with guns onboard a trawler in the Maheshkhali channel in the Bay of
Bengal. Acting on a tip-off, members of the RAB police unit headed out to sea onboard a fishing vessel in the
guise of fishermen. According to press reports, a suspicious group of individuals were seen onboard a trawler. The
police boarded the trawler which led to the arrest of the six suspects and the seizure of three guns and 11 bullets
in their possession. The suspects were detained at the local police station for further investigation. (Dhaka Tribune;
The Financial Express; DBC24/7newstv; bdnews24.com)

K. (U) AUSTRALIA – NEW ZEALAND – PACIFIC OCEAN AREA:

1. (U) PAPUA NEW GUINEA: On 20 January, an underway passenger boat with eight people onboard was hijacked
and robbed between Pik Island and Raicoast in Madang waterways. According to press reports, the armed robbers
stole the boat engine and left the boat and the passengers stranded at sea. The local police stated that the
wounded boat skipper survived by swimming to the shore, while one passenger was found dead and six are still
missing. (The National PG)

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

6. (U) Appendix B: Definitions and Sourcing

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 antishipping 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.

 (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: 9 February 2022

(U) The 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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