Pirate Attack Foiled Amidst Heightened Security Risks

June 3 ------ Palaemon Maritime has released its maritime security report for May 24-31, indicating that the week saw 15 maritime security incidents, with heightened activity in major maritime corridors globally, including: Black Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Finland, Gulf of Guinea, Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz.

Key developments include:

• A suspected pirate attack was foiled near the Gulf of Aden, with the Indian Navy deploying a helicopter and boarding team to protect a merchant vessel.

• An armed skiff approached a tanker off Yemen, closing the distance before aborting after evasive maneuvers and visible security measures were deployed.

• A tanker was damaged by an explosion off Muscat, while multiple authorities issued warnings about floating naval mines in shipping lanes.

• Russian air and underwater drones hit five ships, including four foreign cargo vessels bound for Turkey and a vessel inside Odessa Port.

• Ukrainian drones struck a ship in occupied Berdyansk, a Russian oil depot, and three shadow fleet tankers off Turkey.

• Russian divers disarmed two 7kg magnetic mines found on a Liberian LPG carrier anchored at Ust-Luga.

• Robbers boarded an anchored, Antigua and Barbuda-flagged offshore supply vessel at Abidjan inner anchorage.

Palaemon Maritime recommends that operators:

• Watch for Drones & Mines: Maintain sharp lookouts for UAVs, waterborne drone boats, and floating naval mines in the Black Sea and Strait of Hormuz.

• Inspect Hulls & Anchorages: Conduct security checks at anchor at Ust-Luga and the Gulf of Guinea to counter magnetic hull mines and boardings.

• Obey Chokepoint Restrictions: Avoid the Strait of Hormuz Traffic Separation Scheme and coordinate all transits directly with U.S. naval forces (NCAGS).

• Deploy Active Deterrence: Use armed guards, fire hoses, and evasive maneuvers to repel small-craft and pirate approaches in the Gulf of Aden.

• Monitor Security Broadcasts: Maintain a continuous watch on VHF Channel 16 and closely track UKMTO, JMIC, and local NAVWARN alerts.

Source: marinelink.com