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Al Safina Security
Somali regional anti-piracy chief says sacked over illegal fishing comments
The head of anti-piracy operations in the semi-autonomous Puntland region of Somalia said he had been fired for speaking out about illegal fishing, which he claims could trigger a new outbreak of piracy in the Indian Ocean.
With reduced patrols and illegal fishing, Somalia’s pirates could be making a comeback
Last week (Mar. 16), Somali pirates finally released a Comoros-flagged oil tanker that they seized off the coast of Somalia a few days earlier. They agreed to forego their demand for ransom after learning that a Somali businessman had hired the ship to take oil from Djibouti to the Somali capital,...
Ship Hijacking Shows Somali Piracy Risk Still High, UN Says
The hijacking of a fuel tanker off Somalia’s coast shows the threat pirates still pose to one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, a risk that may also hamper the Horn of African country’s efforts to explore for offshore oil and gas, a United Nations official...
Somali pirates told hostages on UAE-managed tanker to say final goodbyes
The woman whose sailor husband was taken hostage by Somali pirates said he and the rest of his crew were forced to call home to speak to their families “for the last time”.
Recent Incidents
ADVISORY NOTICE 004/MAR/2017 Investigations are currently on-going following reports that at 131154 UTC MAR 17 communications were lost with an MV in position
Maritime legal seminar held in Mogadishu
On 1 March Somali Prosecutors and Maritime Police Officers concluded a three-day Maritime Legal Seminar in Mogadishu organized by EUCAP Somalia in cooperation with EU NAVFOR Atalanta.
Vietnam warns of increased piracy in South-east Asian waters
The Vietnam Maritime Administration (Vinamarine) has ordered port authorities across the country to warn ship owners and maritime transport companies of the increasing pirate attacks in Southeast Asian waters
Cargo ship escapes attack by pirates off Boan Island
The Vietnamese-flagged general cargo ship Phu An 268 was attacked by pirates in Philippine waters off Boan Island, on March 5, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre informs. Fortunately, the captain of the vessel managed to escape the attack by increasing speed and maneuvering head towards...
Pakistan Navy hands over command of Combined Task Force 151 (Ctf-151) to Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force
Islamabad: Pakistan Navy handed over the Command of the multinational Combined Task Force 151 (Counter Piracy Task Force) to the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force at an impressive Change of Command Ceremony held at the Combined Maritime Forces HQs inBahrain.
Operation Atalanta Force Commander Hosts Rear Admiral from Chinese Escort Task Group On Board Spanish Flagship – Working Together Against Somali Piracy
During European Union counter-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden, Operation Atalanta’s Spanish Force Commander, Rear Admiral Rafael Fernández-Pintado Muñoz-Rojas, welcomed Rear Admiral Zhao Jicheng from the Chinese Escort Task Group on board ESPS Galicia.
Somalia: South Korea Joins EU’s Anti-Piracy Operation Off Somalia Coast
South Korea’s 4,400-ton destroyer Choe Yeong participated in a European Union-led military operation to combat pirates in the waters around the Gulf of Aden near Somalia, the military here said Sunday.
Guidance on Sulu Sea attacks released
According to the Standard P&I Club, the IFC in Singapore has issued a commentary on the recent spate of attacks in the Sulu Sea, in particular, the Sibutu Passage.
Piracy in Asia – situation update
The piracy situation in the sea area between Sabah, Malaysia and the Southern Philippines continues to be a concern and all vessels are advised to report to the relevant authorities prior entering or passing the Sibutu Passage and Sulu-Celebes Sea.
Gard Alert: Yemen – port situation
All major Yemeni ports, except Mokha, Ras Isa Marine Terminal and Balhaf LNG Terminal, are reported to be open and in operation despite the volatile situation along the country’s Red Sea coast.![Maritime security through partnership [IDEX17D2]](https://alsafinasecurity.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Maritime-security-through-partnership-_IDEX17D2_-400x250.jpg)
Maritime security through partnership [IDEX17D2]
With the conflict in Yemen now starting to spill out into neighbouring seas, the spotlight is once again falling on naval forces to ensure that maritime trade can continue to flow unimpeded into the Middle East region.
Pirates Hold Sailors Hostage
Eight Iranian seafarers have been released by Somali pirates after nearly nine months of being held in captive, but up to a dozen more are still at risk, according to Tehran Times.
Preventive strategies for maritime security
The importance of well-coordinated, risk-based preventive strategies to counter maritime security threats was highlighted by IMO’s Chris Trelawny, Special Adviser on Maritime Security and Facilitation, during a debate at the United Nations Security