Category Archives: MARSEC Updates

The First Pirate Attack In 2014 in Gulf Of Aden – Suspects apprehended By EU Naval Force

  January 27, 2014 ,
1st pirate attack 2014

On Saturday 18 January 2014, the French EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta flagship FS Siroco, in cooperation with Japanese assets, released the crew of a Dhow that was suspected to have been used as pirate mother-ship. The flagship apprehended 5 suspected pirates believed to be responsible for an attack on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden a day earlier. The oil tanker issued a distress call to the UK Maritime Trade Operation (UKMTO) on the evening of Friday, 17 January, reporting to be under attack. According to the reports, the attack was repelled by a private armed security team embarked on board the oil tanker. The skiff then headed to a dhow which lingered nearby. … Continue reading

The KERALA Case

  January 27, 2014 ,
MARSEC updates - United Guards Services Ltd

In a press release by Dynacom Tankers Management, the managers of the ‘missing’, then confirmed hijacked tanker, Kerala, stated that the vessel and crew are safe, however, one crew member was wounded. A large amount of the oil cargo was stolen. Precise details of the hijack are sketchy and the Angola Navy comments about faking the hijack are not commented upon in this release, but it is considered that this particular incident has many questions to answer in view of the length of time the vessel was stated as missing. The statement is as follows: We are the Managers of the vessel “Kerala” (IMO No. 9390927) which was recently hijacked at Angola, Luanda Anchorage. We are relieved to advise that … Continue reading

The EU’s comprehensive approach to conflicts & crises – mobilising the tools we have

  December 12, 2013 ,
MARSEC updates - United Guards Services Ltd

We live in a world where complex challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, migration, energy security, regional conflicts and terrorism threaten to destabilise the world in which we live. The European Union has a wide range of tools it can use – diplomatic, security, defence, trade, development and humanitarian – which it can pull together to try to deal with some of these challenges. Known as the “comprehensive approach”, it is already been used with success in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa. There the EU has given political support for the democratic transition in Somalia, helped train the Somali army and set up the “Atalanta” anti-piracy naval mission to tackle Somalia pirates who threaten international shipping lanes. … Continue reading

Peace and security in Africa: from summitry to solutions

  December 6, 2013 ,
MARSEC updates - United Guards Services Ltd

By Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham We salute you: UN Security Council stands in tribute to Nelson Mandela. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe The death last night of Nelson Mandela serves as a reminder of the enormous potential of African leaders to bring positive and lasting change to the continent. It is a reminder also of the obligations that African leaders have towards their own countries and citizens. Almost all of these leaders, as heads of state and government, alongside senior representatives of international organisations, are expected to attend the Elysee Summit for Peace and Security in Africa which begins today in Paris. Hosted by president Francois Hollande, the summit also reflects France’s continuing and increasing importance in Africa’s politics. With a … Continue reading

Pirates attacked passenger boats and two Cyprus-flagged tugs, 8 crew hijacked, Nigeria

  November 29, 2013 ,
MARSEC updates - United Guards Services Ltd

Source in Nigeria informed Maritime Bulletin on three pirates attacks which took place in Akwa Ibom State waters, Bight of Bonny, Nigeria, on Nov 27 13. In the first accident 12 pirates attacked two passenger boats on Ibeno river. Pirates fired in the air, then boarded the boats and robbed passengers, wounding many of them with the machetes. Passengers were forced to leave the boats near the shore, it is understood that they managed to safely reach the shore. Boats were hijacked. Later pirates attacked two tugs, Lamnalco Petrel and LAMNALCO HOUBARA, in the vicinity of Kwa Ibo. Reportedly, 8 crew were hijacked. Tug Lamnalco Petrel, IMO 9171981, 210 gt, built 1998, flag Cyprus, manager LAMNALCO LTD-UAE. Source: http://www.fleetmon.com/maritimenews/2013/2777/pirates-attacked-passenger-boats-and-two-cyprus-fl/

Somalia and EU Fight over ‘Lack of Aid’ Claims

  November 27, 2013 ,
MARSEC updates - United Guards Services Ltd

A diplomatic spat has erupted in Brussels between a high Somali official and the EU commissioner for development over the level of foreign aid given to the wartorn African country. Fawzia Yusuf Adam, Somalia’s minister of foreign affairs and deputy PM, said that her country had received “nothing from the European Union – only promises”. Reacting to earlier remarks by Adam, EU commissioner for development Andris Piebalgs told IBTimes UK exclusively: “I’m very upset because that is false”. “The political process starting in Somalia is not only because of political abilities but investment in different parts of Somalia which brings people to support the federal government,” he said during a private meeting at the European Development Days in Brussels. “We … Continue reading