Access the latest Maritime Security Threat Advisory for the week commencing 17th April 2023.

👉 Within the last reporting period clashes between elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and a government paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Force (RSF) have erupted in Khartoum. Clashes have spread throughout Sudan with 97 reported dead after three days of fighting. Early reports indicate that Port Sudan remains under the control of government forces with no impact at either Port Sudan or Al Khair terminal. Marsha Bashyer and wider Sudanese ports are also operating at the time of publication.

👉 Within the Black Sea, Russia continues to highlight its list of demands that it require to be met, to secure a further regeneration of the Grain Deal beyond May. In order for Russia to continue its participation within the deal it requires the following to be met: Returning the Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to the SWIFT payment system, a resumption of supplies to Russia of agricultural machinery and spare parts, a lifting of restrictions on insurance and access to pots for Russian ships and cargo, the resumption of an ammonia pipeline from Russia’s Togliatti to Odessa in Ukraine, unblocking accounts and financial activities of Russian fertiliser companies.

👉 Within the Gulf of Guinea, the product tanker SUCCESS 9 has been located with all crew accounted for. It is understood that pirates stole the vessels cargo and crew properties before departing the vessel. The incident involving the SUCCESS 9 is the third such incident since November 22 with two incidents occurring south of Abidjan. Incidents are accessed to be highly targeted, with very similar methodology and thus the recent spate of incidents is not assessed to represent a fundamental shift in risk profile to wider commercial shipping throughout the region.