Weekly Maritime Security Report

Southeast Asia

Philippines: Robbers steal from container-ship at Manila anchorage

14 July

According to a late report, two robbers boarded an anchored container ship using the hawes pipe at 1930 hrs local time at Manila South Harbour Anchorage. Duty crew informed the chief officer, who then raised the alarm and mustered crew, prompting the robbers to flee with stolen ship’s properties. The incident was reported to port authorities and the coast guard boarded the ship to investigate the robbery.

PGI Analysis: Reports of crime at Manila South Harbour Anchorage have been rare since 2015, when they were periodically reported. Crime at ports and anchorages in the Philippines is significantly lower than in neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia, with incidents clustering off Tawi-Tawi province, Manila’s South Harbour and off the coasts of Zamboanga, Sibugay, Batangas and Batan.

West Africa

Liberia: Suspected robber boards vessel in Monrovia anchorage

21 July

A suspected robber boarded a tanker anchored at Monrovia anchorage at 0300 hrs local time. A member of the crew spotted the individual, raised the alarm and mustered the crew, prompting the assailant to flee. There was no report of injuries from the event and nothing was stolen.

PGI Analysis: Robberies at Liberian anchorages are intermittently reported, although many more are likely unreported. Security at Monrovia port has improved in recent years, however the anchorage remains vulnerable to opportunistic thieves, particularly overnight when visibility is reduced.

Select Maritime News

The following is a selection of other maritime-relevant incidents available on PGI’s Risk Portal:

Australia: Canberra says Chinese spy ship detected close to joint drills site

Bangladesh: Vessel workers’ strike from 24 July to disrupt Chittagong port operations

Bangladesh: Chittagong Cox’s Bazar, Mongla ports on alert as storm approaches

Gabon: Pan Petroleum approves offshore development of Tortue oilfield

Gabon: NGO helps authorities to arrest two Chinese vessels

Iran: IRGC detain Saudi fishing boat, crew near Farsi port

Italy: EU restricts supply of rubber boats to Libya

Nigeria: NIMASA to cooperate with army, navy over security

Russia: Moscow, Beijing to participate in Baltic naval drill

Sint Maarten (Dutch part): Court orders PDVSA to allow sale of oil after Sovcomflot request