Piracy, Armed Robbery Update
To date, the following reports were noted by ICC Commercial Crime Services (CCS), the anti-crime arm of the International Chamber of Commerce.
09.01.2013: 0920 UTC: Guyana, South America.
Two robbers armed with guns and long knives boarded a berthed LPG tanker from the offshore side by using a grappling hook. They took the C/O and shore security guard as hostage, proceeded to the master’s cabin and stole ship’s cash and escaped. No injury to crew.
08.01.2013: 0750 UTC: Posn: 12:40.2N - 043:16.1E, Bab El Mandeb TSS, Red Sea.
About 5-6 persons each in two skiffs doing 14 knots approached a gas carrier ship underway. Alarm raised, anti-piracy measures initiated, distress message was transmitted and the armed security team on board fired a warning flare and showed their weapons. One skiff slowed down but the other skiff continued its approach and closed to 200 meters from the tanker. The armed team fired two more warning shots but the skiffs ignored the warning shots and continue to approach the tanker. Further shots were fired across the lead skiff's bow resulting in the skiffs aborting and moving away.
05.01.2013: 1100 UTC: Posn: 03:07.2N-051:51.1E, Around 400nm ENE of Mogadishu, Somalia.
Six pirates in a skiff chased and fired upon a container ship using automatic weapons and RPG. Vessel raised alarm, crew mustered in citadel and armed security team fired warning shots resulting in the pirates aborting and moving away. A warship and naval helicopter were dispatched towards the vessel. Crew and vessel safe.
04.01.2013: 2315 LT: Posn: 01:16.0S - 116:49.0E, Balikpapan Port Jetty No.5 C, Indonesia.
Four robbers approached a chemical tanker at berth while engaged in loading operations. One of the robbers boarded the vessel by climbing the forward fire wire, stole ship's properties and escaped. The incident was reported to the local agent and the port authorities.
03.01.2013: 0400LT: Posn: 22:49N-070:03E, Kandla port anchorage, India.
Robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier, broke into the forecastle store room, stole ship's stores and escaped unnoticed.
