Access the latest Triton Scout Maritime Security Threat Advisory for the week commencing 25th July 2022

👉 On 22 July 22, Ukraine and Russia signed a deal with the UN to facilitate the export of grain and related products including foodstuffs, and fertilisers inclusive of ammonia. The deal specifically relates to the ports of Odesa, Chernomosk and Yuzhnhnyi. In the hours after the deal was signed, Russia used two Kalibr missiles to strike an area near a pumping station at the Odesa port. A Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman stated that the “high-precision strike” had destroyed a Ukrainian Navy “patrol boat.” Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said that despite the attack Ukraine continued technical preparations for the launch of exports of agricultural products from our ports. 

👉 In Sri Lanka, former prime-minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been sworn in as the new President. This decision is unlikely to mitigate insecurity and protests, as many protestors see Wickremesinghe as complicit with the former administration and therefore demand his resignations and a complete overhaul of the parliament. Protests have continued against the backdrop of a severe fuel crisis with security forces engaging in brutal crackdowns under new State of Emergency legislation. 

👉 In Libya, there has been a significant escalation in militia activity between militias loyal to the rival governments. In Tripoli on 22 July, clashes between militias led to at least 13 deaths. On 24th July, militias clashed briefly in Western Misrata. Militia activity has not yet impacted port operations, however, heightening tensions and instability means the possibility of militia activity causing port disruptions in the short to medium term cannot be ruled out. Reports also indicate that Prime Minister Dbeibah has made an unexpected alliance with warlord Haftar in a bid to cement what is still a fragile and tenuous ceasefire. The continued fostering of closer ties would likely lead to enhanced commercial stability in the short to medium term. 

👉 In the Gulf of Mexico, reporting indicates that on 16th July, pirates attacked five Pemex ‘satellite’ platforms in the Cantarell Productive Field in the Bay of Campeche. The Bay of Campeche remains the epicentre of maritime crime and piracy within the Gulf of Mexico. Currently there is believed to be a significant degree of under-reporting of incidents within the Gulf of Mexico. 

👉 Understand the maritime security implications of these incidents on the region and access the latest intelligence reports and security updates for the rest of the world by clicking on the image below: