Acts of piracy

Mariners are warned to be extra cautious and to take necessary precautionary measures when transiting the following areas:

South East Asia and Indian Sub Continent

• Bangladesh: Although the number of attacks has fallen, the area is still listed as very high risk. Pirates are targeting ships preparing to anchor. Most attacks reported at Chittagong anchorages and approaches.
• Indonesia: Anambas / Natuna island area, Belawan, Jakarta/Tg. Priok. Pirates normally armed with guns / knives / machete. Generally be vigilant in other areas. Many attacks may have gone unreported.
• Malacca Straits: Although the number of attacks have dropped due to the increase and aggressive patrols by the littoral states Authorities since July 2005, ships are advised to continue maintaining a strict anti piracy watch when transiting the straits.
• Malaysia: off Tioman Island / South China Sea
• Philippines: Manila – Pirates target ships at anchor and surrounding waters.
• Singapore Straits: Pirates attack ships while underway or while anchored at OPL.
• Vietnam: Vung Tau

Africa and Gulf of Aden

• Tema (Ghana): Most attacks occurred while ship at anchor.
• Lagos & Bonny River (Nigeria): Pirates are violent and have attacked and robbed vessels / kidnapped crews along the coast and rivers, anchorages ports and surrounding waters. Vessels advised to be also vigilant in other parts in Nigeria.
• Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania): Pirates continue to target ships in port, anchorages and surrounding waters.
• Gulf of Aden: Somali pirates are attacking vessels in the northern Somali coast in the Gulf of Aden. These pirates are firing automatic weapons and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) in an attempt to board and hijack vessels. Once the attack is successful and the vessel hijacked, the pirates sail the vessel to the Somali coast and thereafter demand a ransom for the safe release of the vessel and crew. All vessels transiting the area are advised to take additional precautionary measures and maintain strict 24 hours visual and radar anti piracy watch using all available means. Watch keeping crews should look out for small suspicious boats converging to own vessel. Early sightings/detection and accurate assessment will allow Master to increase speed and take evasive manoeuvres to escape from pirates and at the same time request for assistance from various Authorities/Agencies including the IMB PRC.
• Somalia: Recent attacks indicate that the pirates have resumed attacking vessels in the eastern and southern coast of Somalia. Some attacks have spread and taken place as far as off the Kenyan and Tanzanian coast. The Somali pirates are dangerous and are prepared to fire their automatic weapons and RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) at ships in order to stop them. Pirates are believed to be using “mother vessels” to launch attacks further away from the coast. These “mother vessels” are able to proceed far out to sea and launch smaller boats to attack and hijack passing ships. Some of these attacks have taken place almost 500nm from the coast. The IMB maintains its advice that vessels not making scheduled calls to ports in Somalia should keep as far away as possible from the Somali coast, preferably more than 250 nautical miles. Mariners are advised to report any suspicious boats to the Centre. A 24hour visual and radar watch must be maintained as early sightings / detection and accurate assessment will allow Masters to take evasive actions and increase speed and at the same time request for assistance and escape.

South and Central America and the Carribbean waters

• Brazil: Although the number of reported attacks has dropped in Santos. Ships are advised to continue to be vigilant.

Rest of the world

Arabian Sea: Sightings and calls from suspicious small boats. In some cases, boatschased ships with unknown intent.

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