Access the latest Maritime Security Threat Advisory for the week commencing 11th April 2023.

Within the last reporting period three incidents of piracy and maritime have been reported globally.

👉 Singapore flagged product tanker SUCCESS 9 has been boarded 310nm SSW Abidjan. It is understood that the vessel was boarded by an unknown number of perpetrators and the situation is ongoing. The incident is the latest in a series of incidents involving the targeting of product vessels providing regional bunker services within West Africa. The latest incidents occurred 72nm SE of an incident involving the MT B OCEAN on the 23rd November 22. In the case of the incident involving the MT MONJASA REFORMER released on the 30 March 23 110nm South bunny Island, it is understood that the Tug vessel AMON has been arrested along with crew by Togolese authorities on suspicion of being involved in the incident.

👉 Recent reporting indicated a significant escalation in tension between China and Taiwan with a multi-way military exercise seeing China rehearse the targeting of Taiwan. Chinese vessels conducted rehearsed combat operations to the East of Taiwan. As part of the military exercises China’s Fujian maritime safety administration launched a three-day special joint patrol and inspection operation in the central and northern parts of the Taiwan Strait that included moves to board ships. The move was rejected by Taiwan’s Transport Ministry’s Maritime and Ports Bureau who called on all commercial operators to ignore any such requests.

👉 Within the Black Sea, Russia has called on Western states to remove obstacles for Russian exports. Russia has continues to state that it is willing to withdraw from the Grain Deal unless its wishes are met. The deal is currently under 60-day extension with Turkey pushing for a 120 day extension. Russia has suggested that unless its conditions are met it will allow the deal to lapse and seek ways of trading out with the construct of the deal.