Latest ONI World Wide Threat to Shipping (to 4 Jan 06)

For the latest Office of Naval Intelligence World Wide Threat to Shipping report go here and click on the date. Highlights:

1. GULF OF ADEN: An unidentified tanker reported a
suspicious approach 02 Jan at 0733 UTC while underway in position
13:48N 049:48E. Three speedboats with 3 or 4 persons onboard
followed the tanker. Master altered course and boats moved away.
Later at 0753 UTC in position 13:49N 049:54E, another speedboat
with three persons onboard followed for 30 minutes. Alarm was
raised and boats stopped following (IMB).

N. ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC NON-STATE ACTIVIST GROUPS:
.
1. GREENPEACE - SEA SHEPHERD CONSERVATION SOCIETY - INSTITUTE
OF CETACEAN RESEARCH - ANTARCTIC WHALING: According to the
Japanese Institute of Cetacean Research, the Greenpeace vessels (ESPERANZA)
and (ARCTIC SUNRISE) and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society vessel
(FARLEY MOWAT) follow and attempt to impede Japan’s whale research
efforts in the Antarctic as of 21 Dec. The Sea Shepherd Conservation
Society’s web site describes a near collision between the (FARLEY MOWAT)
and Japanese Research vessel (NISSHIN MARU) on 24 Dec in the vicinity
of 62:55S 136:38E. Greenpeace rejects the claims made by Japan that its
members are disregarding the laws of the sea as they trail the Japanese whalers,
and denies claims they are working in conjunction with the Sea Shepard
Conservation Society. The Institute of Cetacean Research claims the fleet
of six Japanese research vessels are operating under special permit in the
Antarctic. ONI NOTE: Supporters of the Japanese projects are
implying that Greenpeace and the Sea Shepherd Organization are
acting in concert. ONI sees no evidence for this despite the fact
that the current high-profile Japanese expedition has drawn the
attention of both groups (GP, Institute of Cetacean Research, Sea
Shepard Conservation Society, ONI).