Ch16 Maritime Risk Intelligence

The Ch16 Maritime Risk Blog is your free resource for insights and analysis on maritime risks, safety, and (Cyber) security for the maritime professional.

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U.S. Moves to Seize Tanker Used in Illicit North Korean Trade

The U.S. Government moved to seize an oil tanker that they allege in a court filing was used to violate U.S. and U.N. sanctions against North Korea.
April 30, 2021

Chinese Naval base in Africa to support carriers

Amid China's growing influence in Africa, a top US commander has revealed how a recently completed pier at the Chinese naval base in Djibouti, near the entrance to the Red Sea, is large enough to..
April 29, 2021

Why the Conflict in Cabo Delgado Matters for Eastern Africa

Northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province once again grabbed international headlines in late March 2021 after a local militant group aligned with radical Islamist ideology seized the key port town..
April 28, 2021

Reports of Incident off Yanbu

Reporting has indicated that an incident occurred in the vicinity of Yanbu Port at 0630UTC on the morning of the 27th April 21. Reporting suggests that port authorities increased the ISPS alert state..
April 27, 2021

Chinese Maritime Militia Disperses Amid Political Standoff With the Philippines and the US

A political standoff between China and the Philippines over a reef in the South China Sea has begun to subside, while Taiwan reacts to a new normal of continuous Chinese military activity around the..
April 27, 2021
2 Min Read

Is the Israel Iran conflict being played out using commercial vessels?

Reports on the morning of 24th April 2021 from the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) indicated that an explosion had occurred on a tanker causing the death of at least 3 crew. The report was largely..
April 27, 2021

Somalia violence: Rival units fight amid row over president's term

Fighting has broken out in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, between different sections of the security forces.
April 26, 2021
8 Min Read

The Libyan Interim Government: Hopes and Challenges

Libya has suffered years of violence and volatility. Recently, Libyan delegates to a conference in Geneva approved the re-formation of two entities: the Presidential Council (PC) and the Government..
April 26, 2021

Attack - 270nm S Lagos

Reporting indicates that a vessel has been attacked 270nm S Lagos.
April 24, 2021

Vessel Boarded - 185nm SSW Bayelsa State

Reporting indicates that a Containership has been attacked 185nm SSW Bayelsa State.
April 23, 2021

Ten Years after the Arab Spring, Libya has Another Chance for Peace

Just over ten years ago, the United Nation’s no-fly zone over Libya marked the beginning of the Libyan revolution and the West’s bombing campaign.
April 23, 2021

Egypt becomes 34th member nation of the Combined Maritime Forces

Egypt has become the 34th member of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a multinational coalition committed to countering illicit non-state actors on the high seas and promoting security, stability..
April 22, 2021

Indonesian Navy searches for missing submarine with 53 people on board

Indonesia's Navy is searching for a missing submarine with 53 people on board that went missing during a military exercise on Wednesday, Indonesian authorities say.
April 22, 2021

Advisory - Gulf of Guinea (Sighting)

Reporting indicates that a small boat suspected of involvement with piracy has been sighted 202nm SW Brass Port
April 21, 2021

Advisory - Gulf of Guinea

Reporting indicates that a small boat with approx. 8 POB is suspected of involvement with piracy.
April 21, 2021

Cabo Delgado: Is Mozambique safe?

In our latest blog, Dryad Global analysts Shannon McSkimming and Casper Goldman assess the future trajectory of the Cabo Delgado conflict in the commercial maritime domain and the challenges it may..
April 21, 2021

Somalia: Averting a Descent into Political Violence

Tensions are running high following the Somali parliament’s decision to extend the incumbent president’s mandate by two years. External partners should urgently convene – and mediate – talks among..
April 21, 2021

Maritime Cyber Security & Threats 12-18 April

Dryad and cyber partners RedSkyAlliance continue to monitor attempted attacks within the maritime sector. Here we continue to examine how email is used to deceive the recipient and potentially expose..
April 20, 2021

Brazil's Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional container port terminals operations halted

Brazil's Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional had its iron ore and the container port terminals operations halted on April 16th after local authority levied a fine against the company for alleged "various..
April 20, 2021

Force Majeure declared at Marsa al Hariga- Libya

Libya's National Oil Corp (NOC) declared force majeure on exports from the port of Marsa al Hariga after Arabian Gulf Oil Co suspends output over a budget dispute.
April 20, 2021

Here’s How to Keep Your Crew From Being Pirated by Another Yacht

Veteran yacht owners have been joined on the high seas over the past year by a flotilla of newer sailors, cast adrift from the corporate offices where once they were moved. Thanks to the popularity..
April 19, 2021
16 Min Read

ARCTIC GEOPOLITICS: CHINA’S REMAPPING OF THE WORLD

China’s ambitions in the Arctic are suggestive of a new geopolitical perspective. How do maps visualise the Arctic Silk Road, and China as a ‘near-Arctic state’? And what does this mean for Arctic..
April 16, 2021

Russia set to close Kerch Strait

Russia has announced it will close the strategic Kerch Strait which connects the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, starting next week until October 2021.
April 16, 2021

Malaysia, Vietnam Set to Pen Agreement on Maritime Security

Malaysia will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vietnam later this year to strengthen cooperation in maritime security, a Malaysian official said, as the Philippines continues to raise..
April 15, 2021

Ports Authority Faces fraud investigation

Corruption has blighted an African ports authority following the suspension of its director general.
April 14, 2021

Alleged Attack Against Israeli Owned Vessel 19.4nm East Fujairah

Unconfirmed media reporting has indicated that the MV HYPERION RAY (IMO9690559), has been involved in an incident off the coast of Fujairah.
April 13, 2021

How insecurity affects the lives of everyone in the Niger Delta

Nigeria has an urgent insecurity problem. News from the country often emphasises insecurity related to Islamic insurgents in Northern Nigeria, organised armed banditry involving Fulani herdsmen,..
April 13, 2021

Maritime Cyber Security & Threats 4-11 April

Dryad and cyber partners RedSkyAlliance continue to monitor attempted attacks within the maritime sector. Here we continue to examine how email is used to deceive the recipient and potentially expose..
April 12, 2021

Counter Narcotics: Drug Smuggling in Commercial Shipping

Illicit drug producers continue to develop complex trafficking patterns, targeting commercial vessels and their crew to transit their supply through multiple stopover and transit points. The safety..
April 12, 2021

China v Russia v America: is 2021 the year Orwell’s 1984 comes true?

It may just be coincidence that Russia was piling military pressure on Ukraine last week at the same time as China noisily rattled sabres around Taiwan. Spring, to mangle Tennyson, is when a young..
April 12, 2021

A FUTURE CHINESE INDIAN OCEAN FLEET?

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is now the largest navy in the world. This development, announced in the U.S. Department of Defense’s 2020 annual report on the Chinese military, appears to..
April 09, 2021
1 Min Read

Armed Group Blocks Mellitah oil Complex - Libya

An armed group forcibly closed the entrances and exits of the Mellitah Oil Industrial Complex in western Libya, near Tripoli.
April 09, 2021
2 Min Read

Maritime border dispute emerges between Lebanon & Syria

The Syrian government signed a 4-year contract with a Russian company for oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean Sea that could spark a new border crisis between Lebanon and Syria.
April 08, 2021

Explosion - MV SAVIZ

Reporting indicates that the Iran-flagged cargo vessel MV ‘SAVIZ' has suffered an explosion whilst operating in the Lower Red Sea in position 15°09N 041°01E . The Iranian flagged SAVIZ is suspected..
April 08, 2021

Africa and west must unite to halt Mozambique insurgency, experts say

The growing Islamist insurgency in north Mozambique can only be halted with a coordinated military and development effort involving African and western countries or it risks spiralling further out of..
April 08, 2021

EU Council chief calls on mercenaries to leave Libya for stability

The European Union on Sunday called for the departure of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya, describing it as a “precondition” for a return to stability in the war-torn country. At a news..
April 07, 2021

Mozambique: South Africa deploys forces after jihadist attack

South Africa deployed troops to Mozambique on Friday following an attack by "Islamic State" (IS) militants in the northern town of Palma last month. The announcement was made during a televised..
April 06, 2021

Why the Suez Canal and other choke-points face growing pressure

APOLOGIES DO NOT come much bigger. This week Shoei Kisen Kaisha, a Japanese firm, issued a grovelling press release after its ship, the Ever Given, became wedged in the Suez Canal. High winds..
April 05, 2021

Will Panama Canal avoid Suez-type logjam?

The Suez Canal is open again, now that the container ship Ever Given has been refloated. Could the same thing happen to the maritime world’s other shortcut, the Panama Canal?
April 02, 2021

Egypt to open new naval base

Egypt is close to opening a new naval base on Egypt's Mediterranean coast, near its border with Libya.
April 01, 2021