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Date: 15th May 2019Series 13/Issue 177

Weekly Security & Risk Report

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This report is copyright of Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST) © 2019. All rights reserved.

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The Security and Risk Report Series focuses on:

• Operational risks in areas of instability which could affect the safety of commercial and private vessels and personnel ashore and at sea.

• In country reporting on key countries where civil conflict are directly impacting on maritime opera-tions; and

• Reporting and analysis of incidents of terrorism, pi-racy and other related criminal activity. MAST has a global reach and presence, delivering first hand, accurate and exclusive intelligence. MAST is entrenched and committed in continuing to supportand promote the awareness of the very real risks thatseafarers and other stakeholders face. This Intelligence Report Series is a brief snapshot ofMAST’s Intelligence capabilities. MAST Intelligencespecialises in providing clients with a suite of prod-ucts and services, including; political and economic risk analysis, detailed port and vessel security briefs, vessel passage plans, threat and risk mitigation and travel risk management. Working closely in conjunction with a host of experts,MAST Intelligence offers a market leading service pertaining to all maritime affairs.

Follow MAST on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep abreast with these insightful weekly reports and more — including real time security updates.

Editor: David Riderwww.mast-security.com

Issue 177

Contents:

Mast Services

Indian Ocean region

Somalia

Yemen

Mediterranean

Libya

Gulf of Guinea

South East Asia

Central & South America

Severe Weather Warnings

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15th May 2019

24/7 Emergency Telephone+44 (0) 1202 045 833 (Maritime)

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Issue 177 of the series reviews, analyses and threat assesses the fragile and conflict affected coastal states Libya, Somalia and Yemen. The Mediterranean migrant crisis, incidents affecting maritime security and influencing maritime news are also report-ed and analysed, focusing on the keys theatres of maritime instability.

4MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Hijack

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity Theft

Incidents: Nothing signifcant to report.

India, US naval chiefs hold talks on joint exercisesUS Navy Chief Admiral John Richardson on Monday 13th met his Indian counterpart Admiral Sunil Lanba and other senior officers and discussed joint exercises between the two navies amid rising Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. warns merchant ships of possible Iranian attacks; cleric threatens U.S. fleetIran could target U.S. commercial ships including oil tankers, the U.S. Maritime Administration said on Friday 10th, as a senior Iranian cleric said a U.S. Navy fleet could be “destroyed with one missile.”

US sends naval strike group as tensions rise with IranThe United States is deploying an amphibious assault ship and a Patriot missile battery to bolster an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers already sent to the Gulf, ratcheting up pressure on May 11 on archfoe Iran.

Germany confirms Atalanta commitmentThe Bundestag has voted to extend the mission in Somalia for another year. Currently, 80 German soldiers participate in the EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta mission. The mandate for the coming year, which the government estimates will cost around €40 million, will drop to a maximum of 400 soldiers, down from 600.

Iran commander: New US warships in the Gulf are a target, not a threatA senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander said on

Sunday 12th that the U.S. military presence in the Gulf used to be a serious threat but now represents a target, the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reported.

Fujairah Incident AnalysisMAST is aware of four vessels reportedly sabotaged off Fujai-rah (2 x Saudi, 1 x UAE, 1 x Norwegian). Images of the vessels all show exterior blast damage to the hulls on the waterline. It is extremely unlikely that al Qaeda or Islamic State terror-ists have the expertise to conduct such a complex and co-ordinated maritime attack. Consequently, unless other evi-dence comes to light, the most plausible scenario is that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, given their track record in disruptive and aggressive maritime operations, conducted the attacks, possibly in response to the arrival of American naval assets in the region.Analysis of the damage done to the various vessels suggests that the crews of small fast boats placed “limpet” type mines against the hulls, or that an underwater drone was deployed. These perpetrators may have been supported by larger moth-er vessels stationed further offshore and the explosives deto-nated remotely. MAST continues to monitor the situation and investigation and is able to offer a variety of preventative services to companies in the region, including the use of trained dive teams to in-spect vessels prior to any transit. Please contact us for further details.

To see MAST’s services in the Indian Ocean Region, please click here.

Indian Ocean Region Two Saudi oil tankers were the targets of a “sabotage attack” off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday 12th, Saudi Arabia’s energy minister says. The incident near Fujairah port caused “significant damage” to the vessels, Khalid al-Falih said in a statement. The UAE said four ships of various nationalities had been hit. There were no injuries or deaths.

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Control of Somali territory (March 2017) Source: Wikimedia Commons

AnalysisAl Shabaab continues to mount operations throughout the coun-try, despite efforts by US Central Command to degrade its capa-bilities with ongoing airstrikes which aim to remove AS leader-ship. It is questionable as to whether this “body count” policy is working. Threat AssessmentThe political situation has seen increased tension between re-gional states and the Federal Government. Should this continue, there is an opportunity for criminal organisations to return to their previous maritime activities. Al Shabaab continues to challenege the government and efforts to disrupt its operations continue, although AMISOM forces will withdraw some time in 2019. The trade in illegal charcoal by terror and crime groups continues, al-though the Combined Maritime Forces and UN are working on measures to prevent it. Youth unemployment in Somalia has not improved with 67% of Somali male youths aged between 14 to 29 unemployed. Pirate financiers offer lucrative and attractive op-portunities, and were seen to be increasingly active in the last inter-monsoon period. Recent incidents off Somalia have high-lighted the robust protections offered by both BMP5 and well trained, vigilant armed protection teams. Illegal fishing has re-turned to the region and there are wider political concerns that it could spark a resurgence in maritime crime unless checked. There is a risk that complacency in some quarters has seen a reduction in PMSC presence in these waters that could result in a piracy success. A lack of adherence to BMP5 protocol, particu-larly not maintaining a safe distance off the coast, has increased risks to shipping. Merchant vessels would be wise to maintain the same distance from the coast, particularly ensuring that the Socotra Gap isn’t taken. All vessels are advised to update risk as-sessments and register with UKMTO/MSCHOA prior to entering the Indian Ocean High Risk Area (HRA).

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Under control of Al Shabaab and allies Under control of neutral forces Under control of Government and allies Somaliland Government Territory disputed by Puntland and Somaliland

SomaliaA car bomb attack in the Somali capital Mogadishu has killed a Turkish citizen, police said Sun-day. The man was killed when explosives fitted to his car exploded on Sunday 12th, police told dpa. “A Turkish a civil engineer was mercilessly blown up in his car near KM4 street,” said police spokesman Ali Hassan.

Car bomb rams local government building in MogadishuA suicide car bomb rammed into a local government office in Mogadishu on Tuesday 14th at 11:00 a.m., causing casual-ties, Garowe Online reported. A witness confirmed to Garowe Online that a bomber detonated his explosives-laden vehicle into the gates of Wardhigley district located near the country’s heavily fortified presidential palace, Villa Somalia.

Somalia upset by suspension of direct Mogadishu-Nairobi flightsKenya has suspended direct flights from Somalia’s capital Mogadishu to Nairobi for security reasons but Somalia has asked for reconsideration, saying the decision was politically motivated. The BBC reported on Friday 10th that the flights had been suspended and that planes will now land in Wajir for security checks.

UPDF soldiers kill themselves in SomaliaThe Ugandan army is investigating the circumstances under which one of its soldiers deployed in Mogadishu, Somalia, shot his administration officer dead before killing himself. A source in Mogadishu earlier told this newspaper that the soldier who ran amok was irked by the supervisor, and that four soldiers in total died in the Saturday 11th shooting incident.

AMISOM convoy attackedSuspected al Shabaab militants detonated an improvised ex-plosive device (IED) targeting an African Union Mission in So-

malia (AMISOM) convoy between the towns of Afgoi and Wan-laweyn in Lower Shabelle region on May 10th. The AMISOM convoy was traveling to Baledogle airbase, which houses U.S. troops, when it hit the IED.

Al Shabaab attacks townAl Shabaab raided Somali National Army (SNA) positions in Barire town in Lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia on May 9th. This is the second al Shabaab attack on Barire since SNA forces captured the town, which is located 60 kilometers southwest of the Somali capital Mogadishu, on May 1st.

Somalia arrests UAE spy networkSomali authorities are reported to have arrested a spy network working for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Earlier this year, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Issa Awad said that his coun-try’s relations with the UAE are not at the level they should be.

US airstrike kills 13 Somalia ISIS fighters, AFRICOM saysA U.S. airstrike in has killed 13 Islamic State fighters in northern Somalia, U.S. Africa Command said Thursday. The Wednesday, May 8th airstrike targeted an ISIS encampment in the Golis mountains, the Thursday press release said.

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Control of Yemen territory (September 25th 2018)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Houthi

Pro Hadi Government Forces

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Controlled by Southern Transitional Council

YemenA Houthi rebel withdrawal from key ports in Yemen is proceeding according to plan, the UN says. Yemen’s government had described the move - a major step since a ceasefire deal last Decem-ber - as a rebel “ploy”. Both the Houthis and government forces agreed to withdraw from Huday-dah to allow in vital humanitarian aid. The redeployment of troops from the ports of Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Issa is scheduled to take four days ands began on Saturday 11th.

Houthis target Saudi installationsA television station run by Yemen’s Houthi rebels said on Tues-day 14th the Iran-aligned group had launched drone attacks on Saudi installations, without identifying the targets or time of the attacks. It was not immediately clear if the Houthis, who are battling a Saudi-UAE-led military coalition in Yemen, were claiming responsibility for Sunday’s attacknear Fujairah emir-ate, which lies just outside the Strait of Hormuz.

Griffiths Fails to Convince Houthis to Lift Restrictions on Lollesgaard’s MovementsUN envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths has failed to pressure Houthi militias in Sanaa to allow the head of the UN Redeploy-ment Coordination Committee (RCC), Lieutenant-General Mi-chael Lollesgaard, in reaching government-controlled areas in Hodeidah, where he should sit down with representatives of the government.

Amid outcry over Yemen war, Saudi ship leaves France with-out arms cargoA Saudi vessel that had been due to load weapons at a north-ern French port on Friday 10th set sail without them and head-ed for Spain, a day after a rights group tried to block the cargo on humanitarian grounds.

Houthi rebels push into southern provinceFighting continued on Friday 10th in Yemen’s southern Dhale province between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and pro-govern-ment forces, Yemeni officials said. Rebel incursions into Dhale, which had been under the control of forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally recognized government, started in April, killing hundreds of fighters on both sides, officials said.

Key Yemen grain silos come under fire: UNGrain silos outside the port of Hodeida that are vital to UN plans to feed millions of needy Yemenis were hit by gunfire just days after aid staff gained access, the UN said on Friday 10th. The World Food Programme is still assessing the dam-age from the Thursday attack, which caused no casualties, the UN agency’s senior spokesperson, Herve Verhoosel, said in a

statement.

Warehouse Blast Kills SchoolchildrenA Houthi-controlled warehouse that stored volatile material near homes and schools caught fire and detonated in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on April 7, 2019, causing the deaths of at least 15 children, Human Rights Watch and Mwatana for Human Rights said on May 9th.

Socotra accusations flyPresident Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government accused the UAE on May 8th of transporting 100 al Hizam Security Force troops to the Yemeni island of Socotra the day prior. Ha-di’s Minister of the Interior Ahmed al Maysiri criticized the Emi-rati government for supporting southern secessionists rather than focusing on combating the al Houthi movement.

Houthi rebels are holding a ‘floating bomb’ oil tanker hostage off Yemen’s coastHouthi rebels are blocking UN access to an unmaintained oil tanker described as a “floating bomb” off of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, which officials say is an environmental catastrophe wait-ing to happen. The chief of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels is demanding a share of revenue from the sale of about one mil-lion barrels of oil aboard the FSO Safer.

Deadly cholera outbreak spreadsHealth officials in Yemen have recorded more than 200,000 suspected cases of cholera since January. Unseasonal rains along with rising temperatures are said to have caused a spike in the disease.

To see the latest threat analysis and Yemen port information in MASTOPDEIA, please click here.

MAST recommends BMP measures be enforced and watches strengthened during transits in the region.

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Migrant crossings 2016-2019. Source: UNHRC

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Migrant statistics in the Mediterranean (Figures last updated on May 13th 2019). Source: UNHCR

Mediterranean At least 65 migrants have died after their boat capsized in the Mediterranean off the coast of Tunisia, the UN refugee agency says. Sixteen people were rescued, UNHCR said in a statement. Survivors say the boat left Zuwara in Libya on Thursday and ran into trouble during strong waves. The incident is thought to be one of the deadliest shipwrecks involving migrants since the start of the year.

Morocco rescues 117 migrants in Mediterranean SeaMorocco’s coast guards rescued 117 illegal immigrants from Sub-Saharan African countries in the Mediterranean, the Moroccan army said on Saturday 11th. The migrants were on board three inflatable boats which ran into trouble in the Mediterranean sea, the army added.

Malta rescues 85 migrants from sinking vesselA Maltese patrol boat rescued 85 migrants off the coast of Malta late Friday (10th) night, Malta’s military said. The mi-grants are expected to arrive in Malta later on Saturday.

Italy to ‘block and seize’ refugee rescue shipThe Italian government has allowed two groups of refugees and migrants to disembark in Italy despite the country’s “closed ports” policy, after European countries agreed to take in some of the rescued people and officials impounded a charity ship that brought others.

Italy plans to fine NGO boats up to €5,500 per rescued mi-grantItaly’s government is planning to issue a decree that would mean NGO rescue boats would be fined up to €5,500 (£4,760) for each migrant they disembark on to Italian soil. Aid groups said the planned decree from Matteo Salvini amounted to a “declaration of war against the NGOs who are saving lives at sea”. The far-right interior minister’s decree – which will be proposed to the council of ministers in the next few days and then voted upon by parliament – would allow NGOs to be fined “from €3,500 to €5,500 for each transported foreigner”, according to draft text seen by the Guardian newspaper.

The current migrant smuggling situationThe week has seen a significant increase in loss of life in the Mediterranean, as NGO groups continue to feel siginificant polit-cal pressure from Italy and its government. The EU continues to offer little by way of solution as more mi-grants flee continuing violence in Libya. The latest moves by Italy will place further strain on rescuers and increase the risk of loss of life at sea. Unless other Mediterranean nations are willing to take migrants in, the region looks set for further loss of life in the coming weeks.

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Control of Northern Libyan territory (Nov. 7th 2018)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Controlled by the Tobruk led government

Controlled by the Government of National Accord

Controlled by ISIS

Controlled by local forces

Controlled by Tuareg forces

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

LibyaLibya’s internationally recognized government asked 40 foreign firms including French oil major Total to renew their licenses or have their operations suspended, pressuring Europe to stop an eastern military offensive against Tripoli. The firms have three months to renew their licenses, the economy and industry ministry said in a decree, after an official earlier said their operations had been suspended.

European Union calls for ceasefire in LibyaAll warring groups in Libya must commit to a ceasefire and return to U.N.-led mediation, the European Union said on Mon-day 13th, calling the situation a threat to international security. “The EU calls on all parties to immediately implement a cease-fire and to engage with the United Nations to ensure a full and comprehensive cessation of hostilities,” EU foreign ministers said in a statement after meeting U.N.-backed Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj in Brussels.

Libyan Air Force targets Haftar’s forces in Tripoli Airport and Gharyan positionsSources from the Government of National Accord (GNA) con-firmed on Monday 13th that the Libyan Air Force carried out about 8 airstrikes on positions for Khalifa Haftar’s forces in Trip-oli Airport Road, Qasir Benghashir and near Gharyan as well as in Sooq Al-Khamis.

Libya calls for help against rebel offensiveLibya’s internationally recognised government has called on the United States to halt the military offensive on Tripoli that is being led by rebel forces in the East. Prime Minister Fayez Ser-raj told the Wall Street Journal that Libya did not want to return to a Gaddafi style regime and that Khalifa Haftar is an aspiring dictator. He called on the U.S. to use its influence in the region to stop countries such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates supporting the offensive.

Libya’s $60 Billion Push To Double Oil ProductionMustafa Sanalla, chairman of Libya’s internationally recog-nized National Oil Corporation (NOC), held meetings with U.S. companies at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston last week, to discuss US$60 billion worth of procure-ment contracts necessary to more than double Libyan oil pro-duction by 2023, OilPrice reported.

UN Security Council Pushes for Libya Cease-FireAs the fight for the Libyan capital enters its sixth week, the U.N. Security Council on Friday 10th urged the parties to stop shooting and rejoin U.N.-led political negotiations. “The U.N.

Security Council is deeply concerned about the instability in Tripoli and worsening humanitarian situation, which is endan-gering the lives of innocent civilians and threatens prospects for a political solution,” Council President Ambassador Dian Tri-ansyah Djani of Indonesia told reporters after an emergency closed-door meeting.

Two civilians dead in Libya attack claimed by ISTwo civilians were killed and four captured Thursday in a southern Libyan town held by strongman Khalifa Haftar, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group, sources said. Gun-men in more than 10 vehicles launched the attack on Ghodwa early in the morning, firing “indiscriminately at public buildings, including the police station”, a security source told AFP.

Battle for Libya’s Tripoli gives chance to ISThe battle for Tripoli between rival Libyan forces both champi-oning the fight against “terrorism” has created a security vac-uum, allowing the Islamic State group a chance to re-emerge, analysts warn. Libya expert Emad Badi says the fighting has given IS “the opportunity to reorganise, recruit and strike alli-ances with other groups (and organise attacks) to show they are still around”.

Second mercenary pilot identified in LibyaA man who was purportedly captured when his aircraft was shot down by the Libyan National Army (LNA) faction dur-ing the recent fighting around Tripoli has been identified as a Portuguese national. In a video released by his captors on 7th May, the man spoke in English to identify himself as 29-year-old Portuguese national Jimmy Rees, who was working in Lib-ya as a civilian contractor.

To read MAST’s Libyan Country report on MASTOPEDIA, please click here.

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MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

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Gulf of GuineaMedia in Togo report that a group of eight pirates attacked a ship off the country on the night of Saturday 11th. The Togolese minister of Security and Civil Protection, Yark Damehame, named the ship involved in as the G-DONA 1, a Togolese vessel with a crew of seven. The report states that eight armed pirates in a ‘canoe’ approached and boarded the vessel. When the Navy operations room observed the vessel’s erratic movements and were unable to contact her, they deployed a naval team to investigate. They boarded the vessel and arrested eight suspected pirates.

Incidents: 1. Anchored Togo-flagged chemical tanker boarded at 0100 UTC in position 06:00N - 001:16E, Lomé anchorage, Togo. Eight armed perpetrators in a canoe approached and boarded the vessel. Togo naval ops observed erratic manoeuvres and were unable to contact the vessel, subsequently despatched a naval team to investigate. On arriving on scene, the team boarded the vessel, arrested eight suspected pirates (6 Nige-rian and 2 Togolese). The perpetrators were handed over to the Maritime Gendarmerie for further investigation. Tanker es-corted to Lomé. Reported (MDAT/Source) 12th May.

2. Offshore supply vessel boarded by 2 robbers at approx 0245 UTC in position 04:41:10N - 007:10:02E, Federal Ocean Termi-nal, Onne Port, Nigeria. Robbers used a canoe to reach the vessel. Duty Ab spotted them, raised the alarm. Robbers es-caped empty handed. Reported (MDAT) 7th May.

Nigeria: IGP hosts ECOWAS security chiefs over kidnapping, trans-border crimesThe Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has concluded arrangements to host police and security chiefs from the Economic Countries of West Africa (ECOWAS) in Abu-ja to tackle the rising cases of terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the region.

Deep Blue Project to Tackle Criminality On Nigeria’s Water-way - Nimasa DGThere is hope in the horizon for the high level of insecurity in Nigeria’s waterways as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has established the Integrated Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure known as Deep Blue Project to drastically reduce criminalities in the Gulf of Guinea. Dakuku Peterside, Director General, NIMASA,

who stated this on the side lines of the 2019 Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) workshop at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas.

Oil companies raise alarm as vandalism, oil theft rise in Niger DeltaThere are indications that Nigeria has lost significant oil as a result of increasing pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta. Investigations by Vanguard newspaper over the weekend showed that many oil companies, including the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and indigenous producers have been affected, despite recent efforts by the Navy.

Navy arrests seven members of security outfit in DeltaThe Nigeria Navy Ship, NNS Delta, says it has arrested seven members of the Coastal Watch & Anti-Seapirate fighters, an illegal security outfit along the creeks in Delta State. The Commander of the NNS Delta, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu confirmed the arrest to DAILY POST Thursday. Commodore Dewu, who spoke through the Executive Officer of the Base, Capt. A Adewuyi, also disclosed that the Navy recovered some weapons from seven suspects.

Pirates specifically target Indian seafarers in Gulf of GuineaWith Indian seafarers in particular being targeted by pirates, the Directorate General of Shipping in India has asked ship-ping companies not to place Indian seafarers on coastal ves-sels transiting to ports in the Gulf of Guinea, according to the Times of India.

To see MAST Services in the region, please click here. And and to read Nigeria’s country report, please click here.

10MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

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South East AsiaThe first leg of the Border Coordinated Patrol of the Philippine and Indonesian navies has ended, with the aim of securing the common border between the two countries and stop maritime and sea crimes including smuggling and piracy. The patrol ships of both countries were expected to have reached their final point in the territorial waters of Indonesia along the Celebes Sea on Saturday 11th.

Incidents: Nothing significant to report.

North Korea demands return of ship seized by USNorth Korea has demanded the immediate return of a cargo ship seized by the US, branding the move an “unlawful rob-bery”. Last week the US justice department accused Pyong-yang of violating international sanctions by using the vessel for coal shipments. The ship, the Wise Honest, was first impound-ed in Indonesia in April 2018.

China launches two new Type 052D destroyers as it contin-ues drive to strengthen naval forceChina has launched two new Type 052D guided-missile de-stroyers as it continues its push to upgrade its naval power. The two new warships were launched at the Dalian shipyard in northeast China on Friday 10th, the state-run newspaper Global Times reported.

Maritime issues prompt Coast Guard to review law of the seaThe Philippine Coast Guard conducted a seminar aimed to re-view the law of the sea. According to Capt. Glenda Pereyra, deputy chief of Coast Guard Staff for Maritime Security Servic-es, maritime issues as well as the rising territorial conflict in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), present a “challenge to enforce laws at sea and safeguard the national interest while promot-ing peace and security in the region.”

Sabah sea curfew extended yet another two weeksSabah’s dusk-to-dawn sea curfew will be extended until May 26th (Sunday), said Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mam-mah.He said the extension of the 6pm-to-6am curfew was needed due to continuous threats from cross-border crimi-nals, including from kidnap-for-ransom groups.

DOJ concludes preliminary investigation on 4 suspect Abu Sayyaf terroristsThe Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) has concluded its preliminary investigation over four arrested suspected mem-bers of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). Police alleged that the suspects were followers of ASG sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, and were being utilized by the ASG for their financial transactions, procurement, and transportation of fire-arms and explosives, and the facilitation of recruitment and travel of foreign fighters to the Philippines.

Philippine, US, Japanese And Indian Navies Sail Across South China SeaThe Philippine Navy joined top defense ally the United States and regional powers Japan and India in sailing across disputed areas in the South China Sea after recent drills in South Korea, officials said on Thursday 9th.

Three Piracy and Sea Robbery Incidents in Asia in April 2019A total of three incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in April 2019. There was no report of abduc-tion of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah; and no hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargo reported in April 2019. However, the abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah remains a serious concern. ReCAAP state.

To see MAST’s services in the region, please click here.

11MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

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Central and South America Au gust will mark one year since fish er man Bar ry Boban was kid napped by pi rates while fish ing off the coast of Moru ga. He was nev er found and al though po lice said the case in to his dis ap-pear ance is be ing ac tive ly in ves ti gat ed, Boban’s sis ter Ema lyn Boban re mains hope ful that he will come home one day. Dur ing an in ter view on Mon day 13th, Ema lyn said she be lieved that her broth er was still alive. Boban, 34, had gone out to fish with Shane Har ba jan, 25 and cap tain David Williams, 39, on Au gust 19, 2018 when they were ac cost ed by Venezue lan pi rates.

Incidents: Nothign significant to report.

Standing advice: The repercussions of a vessel being caught acting as a mule with drugs stowed will depend on the type, amount and na-tional laws, but may be disruptive and costly. When and if operating in these areas, especially Columbia and Peru, it is advised that: • Potential stowage areas such as rudder shafts are denied as far as possible, and/or routinely searched. • Access points are closely monitored by a vigilant watch for the duration of the vessel’s call at port.

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Note: The forecasts are correct as of the day before publication. For latest updates please follow the provided links.

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

South-East Indian Ocean, Arafura Sea, Gulf of Carpenteria, Coral Sea, Solomon Sea and Gulf of Papua

Severe Weather Warnings Warnings detailed on this page are from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and are issued by respective Regional Specialised Metrological Centres, Tropical Cyclone Centres or Na-tional Meteorological Services. For further information on severe weather warnings please click here.