Access the latest Triton Scout Maritime Security Threat Advisory for the week commencing 19th September 2022.

👉 In the Black Sea, as of 17 September, 155 vessels have successfully transited the grain corridor. However, 82 ships with 418 seafarers remain stuck around Ukrainian ports despite the opening of the UN backed grain corridor. To date, the initiative only involved dry-bulk ships within Chornomorsk, Odesa and Yuzhny port. Dozens of other vessels, including oil tankers, are currently unable to access the corridor and are awaiting approval to leave. 

👉 In the Gulf of Guinea, on 14 September, the cargo vessel MARTINA was boarded by sea robbers armed with guns and knives whilst anchored at Conakry Anchorage in Guinea. The assailants took vessel equipment and damaged vessel navigation equipment before escaping. Crew were signalled safe. This is the first incident in Conakry in 2022. Incidents in Conakry are almost exclusively robberies at anchorage, with robbers frequently armed and willing to confront crew. The European Union (EU) has extended its Naval presence in the Gulf of Guinea under the auspices of the Commercial Maritime Presence (CMP) until February 2024. The extension is intended to allow ECOWAS to strengthen its anti-Piracy mechanism to curtail pirate attacks against commercial vessels in the region. International interventions in the Gulf of Guinea have been critical in reducing the opportunity for pirates to conduct attacks within the region. 

👉 Liberia maritime authorities have launched an investigation into an incident onboard the Panama-flagged vessel MV Ophelia. Reporting suggests that a dozen Nigerian stowaways were cast overboard. Two of the stowaways are reported to have died. On September 12, local fishermen off the coast of Grand Kru in south-eastern Liberia rescued the men. While the investigation is ongoing, in line with national and international maritime standards, the Liberia Maritime Authority has contacted relevant parties and international authorities.

👉 Greek officials have reported that the first crew members from Greek tankers MT Prudent Warrior and Delta Poseidon that were seized by Iran on 25 May have been released. Officials stated the first crew member arrived inAthens on 13 September. The Greek tankers were seized by Iran in May in response to the seizure of oil by the United States from an Iranian flagged tanker in Greece.