Latest ICC CCS Weekly Piracy Report (to 22 Oct 07)

The latest ICC Commercial Crime Services Weekly Piracy Report (to 22 Oct 07) is here. Highlights: Somalia:

21.10.2007: 0050 LT: 00:26.0N-044:38.0E: 60 NM offshore Brava, Somalia.
A UN WFP chartered general cargo ship was fired upon and chased by pirates while enroute to Mombassa after discharging cargo at Mogadishu. The vessel increased speed, switched off her lights and headed towards the open sea. The pirates continued chasing the vessel. The vessel managed to escape as the distance between the vessel and the pirate’s boats slowly increased. The vessel continued her passage to the port of arrival. The UN WFP informed NATO shipping and MARLO who in turn advised TF150.

17.10.2007: 1830 LT: 10-20 NM off Mogadishu port, Somalia. A general cargo ship was proceeding to Mombassa, Kenya after discharging UN WFP chartered cargo at Mogadishu when pirates in a boat chased her, opened fire with automatic weapons, boarded her and hijacked her. They sailed the vessel into coastal waters and anchored closer to shore. To date, owners have lost all contact with the vessel. Fate of the crewmembers and ship is not known.
***
18.10.2007: 1000 UTC: 03:45N – 051:30E, off Somalia.
2/O on a bulk carrier underway sighted two small crafts on the port side disguising as fishing boat. At 3 NM the crafts increased speed and proceed towards the ship. One craft approached from the bow and the other from astern. 2/O alerted the master and the crew working on deck. One boat, with four pirates, near the bow fired warning shots, in the air, signalling the ship to stop. The other boat came near the port quarter of the ship and started firing at the accommodation. The first craft also started firing at the accommodation and bridge. One bullet hit the bridge window. Master raised alarm, sounded ship’s whistle, increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres and mustered the crew. After 15 minutes, the pirates aborted the attempt and moved away. No injuries to crew.
***
18.10.2007: 0805 LT: 54:34.0N-050:37.9E: 155 NM off Mogadishu, Somalia. A white coloured speedboat approached the ship underway at stern. Alarm raised, crew mustered and evasive manoeuvres taken. Two Somali gunmen onboard the ship fired warning shots at the boat and the pirates returned fire. The speedboat pursued the ship for about 15 mins and later altered course and disappeared.

17.10.2007: 1830 LT: 10-20 NM off Mogadishu port, Somalia. A general cargo ship was proceeding to Mombassa, Kenya after discharging UN WFP chartered cargo at Mogadishu when pirates in a boat chased her, opened fire with automatic weapons, boarded her and hijacked her. They sailed the vessel into coastal waters and anchored closer to shore. To date, owners have lost all contact with the vessel. Fate of the crewmembers and ship is not known.
***
14.10.2007: 2335 LT: 00:36.7N-050:20.01E: 312 NM off Mogadishu, Somalia. 2nd officer onboard a reefer ship spotted a suspicious boat on radar at a distance of 8 NM. A few minutes later, the boat picked up speed and headed towards the vessel. The vessel took evasive actions to prevent contact with the boat. Due to ship’s higher speed and evasive manoeuvres, the suspicious boat could not get closer and aborted the chase.

Iran:

16.10.2007: 0145 LT: 30:06N-048:24.4E: Shatt Al Arab river: Iran.
Five pirates in a speedboat, armed with AK-47 automatic rifles, boarded a container ship underway. They took the master, C/E, 2/O and pilot as hostage. The C/O discovered the incident and raised the alarm. The pirates fired at the C/O. Luckily the C/O escaped. The pirates robbed the crew of cash and property before escaping in their speedboat. Port control and coast guard informed.