Reporting suggests that the vessel ISTANBUL was assaulted while underway by one high-speed craft with 9 armed guys aboard. The vessel carried out incredibly elusive maneuvers as well as adhering to 2 stopped working efforts the pirates were attended take out to a mothership vessel.

The vessel as well as staff are unscathed as well as have actually advanced their means.

This is the 7th MARSEC case happening past the eastern edge of the Nigerian EEZ within 2019. Thus, much 5 of the 7 occurrences have actually taken place within 20nm of the eastern edge of the Nigerian EEZ.

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Four occurrences have actually entailed kidnappings with one hijacking as well as 2 stopped working strikes. Whilst this location has actually experienced marine criminal activity in previous years, just 2 occurrences were taped in 2017 as well as 2 in 2018 specifically.

Dryad Analysis

This newest case is additional verification of an establishing fad of occurrences that are analyzed to be bolstered by a well-resourced pirate activity team, probably operating from several mother-ship vessels. On 19th December Dryad reported a discovery of a possible mothership vessel attended be hauling a speedboat 70nm NE of the current assault. At the moment, the vessel reporting the case took the choice to change program as well as leave the location at finest rate. Hostile intent of a vessel hauling a speedboat is tough to figure out, nonetheless, whilst running within a location of high threat, as well as with such a common creating fad of deep overseas occurrences, it is very advised that vessels are not contented versus possible threat variables as well as take ideal counter actions as well as report all such discoveries.

In the instance of the current case, the INSTANBUL shows up to have actually taken a south-western track from the Odudu incurable. This accidentally tracked her vessel via the focus of 2019 occurrences. Trends within 2019 have actually revealed a change in the focus of occurrences from 2017 as well as 2018 from a location south of Port Harcourt, in between the Bonny as well as Brass terminals, to a straight spread of occurrences along the Eastern edge of the Nigerian EEZ. The Eastern edge of the Nigerian EEZ is specifically at risk because of the distinct mix of variables, specifically the thickness of power framework as well as thickness of website traffic transiting northbound to carry out procedures within the Niger Delta area. With this assemblage of variables as well as the considerable geographical constraint enforced upon Nigerian protection pressures, pirates running with both ability as well as intent are paid for the chance to act openly without considerable threat of being interdicted.

This has actually caused a substantial decrease in occurrences in the locations west of the Brass as well as Agbami terminals. The development in fads ought to be recognized as well as taken into consideration essential for all vessels performing procedures within the area as well as to make certain secure transmitting whilst within the risky location.

Reference: dryadglobal.com