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(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report,

27 December 2023–24 January 2024

24 January 2024

(U) Table of Contents:

1. (U) Scope Note

2. (U) Warnings and Advisories
3. (U) Summary
4. (U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region
5. (U) Appendix A: Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea Statistics and Trends
6. (U) Appendix B: Definitions and Sourcing
7. (U) Appendix C: Active U.S. Maritime Advisories

1. (U) Scope Note

(U) The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) report provides information on threats to merchant vessels, the
shipping industry, and other maritime stakeholders worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily
to inform merchant mariners and naval forces.

2. (U) Warnings, Advisories and Alerts: See Appendix C for active advisories.

3. (U) Summary:

A. (U) RED SEA: On 24 January, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacked a merchant vessel 144 NM northwest
of Hodeida, Yemen.

B. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 24 January, three anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired towards a U.S. flagged merchant
vessel 50 NM south of Mokha, Yemen.

C. (U) INDIAN OCEAN: On 24 January, a skiff with an unknown number of persons and a ladder onboard
approached a merchant vessel approximately 960 NM east-southeast of Eyl, Somalia.

D. (U) BAB EL MANDEB STRAIT: On 23 January, UAV activity was observed 46 NM south of Mokha, Yemen.

E. (U) ARABIAN SEA: On 21 January, a small boat approached a merchant vessel 121 NM southeast of Muscat,
Oman.

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F. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 18 January, a UAV flew in close proximity to a merchant vessel 110 NM southeast of
Aden, Yemen, followed by an anti-ship ballistic missile attack on the same vessel.

G. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 18 January, four UAVs were observed flying near a merchant vessel 85 NM southeast of
Ash Shihr, Yemen; one of the UAVs hit the water approximately 800 meters from the vessel.

H. (U) BANGLADESH: (Late Reporting) On 14 January, two persons on a small boat attempted to board a tanker at
Chattogram Anchorage.

4. (U) Monthly Incidents by Region

(U) This section lists reports of active violence against shipping, credible threats to shipping, or the potential for a
situation to develop into a direct threat to shipping over the past 30 days. Every effort is made to ensure that
incidents are not double-counted. In the event that double-counting is detected, or an incident is later found to
be different than initially reported, an explanation of the cancellation of the inaccurate report will be made in at
least one message prior to dropping the erroneous report.

A. (U) NORTH AMERICA: No current incidents to report.

B. (U) CENTRAL AMERICA – CARIBBEAN – SOUTH AMERICA: No current incidents to report.

C. (U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.

D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE – BALTIC: No current incidents to report.

E. (U) MEDITERRANEAN – BLACK SEA: No current incidents to report.

F. (U) WEST AFRICA – GULF OF GUINEA:

1. (U) ANGOLA: Overnight between 14-15 January, unknown and undetected perpetrators boarded the Bahamas-
flagged offshore supply vessel BOURBON TOPAZ while anchored at Soyo Anchorage, near position 06:05S –
012:15E. During routine rounds in the morning, the crew discovered that mooring lines had been stolen. (IMB;
Clearwater Dynamics; vesseltracker.com)

2. (U) ANGOLA: On 9 January at 0335 local time, as many as four robbers boarded a vessel anchored at Luanda
Anchorage, near position 08:42S – 013:17E. After discovering the perpetrators on deck, the alarm was raised, and
the robbers escaped in a small boat. A subsequent search revealed that six lifejackets and five immersion suits
were missing. (MDAT-GoG; Clearwater Dynamics)

3. (U) ANGOLA: On 8 January at 0030 local time, five robbers boarded the Nigeria-flagged product tanker
RATHBONE from a small boat at Luanda Anchorage, near position 08:42S – 013:16E. Once onboard, the
perpetrators overpowered a duty crew member and started to unfasten mooring lines. The duty crew member was
able to escape and raise the alarm. The crew then mustered inside the accommodation section, while the robbers

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escaped in the small boat after retrieving the stolen mooring ropes from the water. The crew and vessel were
reported safe. The vessel reported the incident to the port authorities. (Clearwater Dynamics; vesseltracker.com)

4. (U) ANGOLA: On 3 January at 0100 local time, three robbers boarded the France-flagged fire fighting vessel
BOURBON EXPLORER 519 at Luanda Anchorage, near position 08:44S – 013:18E. After boarding undetected, the
perpetrators broke into the bosun’s store, stole firefighting equipment consisting of two sets of breathing
apparatuses and four chemical suits, and escaped. The theft was noticed during routine rounds later that morning.
(Clearwater Dynamics; IMB; vesseltracker.com)

5. (U) EQUATORIAL GUINEA: On 1 January at 1930 UTC, pirates boarded the Tuvalu-flagged product tanker
HANA I approximately 46 NM southwest of Bioko Island near position 02:33N – 008:13E on its voyage from
Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, to Douala, Cameroon. The perpetrators abducted the master, chief engineer, and possibly
seven other crew members. There has been no contact from the crew or their captors since they were kidnapped.
The tanker arrived at Douala on 2 January. (Clearwater Dynamics; vesseltracker.com; Maritime Executive)

G. (U) ARABIAN GULF: No current incidents to report.

H. (U) INDIAN OCEAN – EAST AFRICA – RED SEA:

(U) Figure 1. Red Sea – Gulf of Aden Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea

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(U) Figure 2. Indian Ocean – East Africa Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea

1. (U) RED SEA: On 24 January at 1955 UTC, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacked a Liberia-flagged bulk
carrier approximately 144 NM northwest of Hodeidah, Yemen, near position 16:21N – 040:46E. The UAV flew over
the vessel before hitting the water nearby. No damage was sustained by the vessel and no injuries to the crew
were reported. (Clearwater Dynamics)

2. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 24 January at 1100 UTC, Houthis fired three anti-ship ballistic missiles at the U.S.-
flagged and -owned container ship MAERSK DETROIT while it was underway approximately 50 NM south of
Mokha, Yemen (exact position not specified). The container ship was transiting with another U.S.-flagged
container ship under a scheduled U.S. Navy escort. One missile impacted in the sea, 100 meters off MAERSK
DETROIT’s starboard side. The two other missiles were successfully engaged and shot down by USS GRAVELY.
There were no reported injuries or damage to the ship or crew. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics; U.S. Central
Command; vesseltracker.com)

3. (U) INDIAN OCEAN: On 24 January at 0630 UTC, a skiff, with an unknown number of persons and a ladder
onboard, approached a merchant vessel approximately 960 NM east-southeast of Eyl, Somalia, near position
05:30N – 065:48E. An armed security team onboard the vessel fired warning shots which resulted in the skiff
aborting the approach. It was reported that the skiff then headed toward what appeared to be a mothership. (IMB;
Clearwater Dynamics)

4. (U) BAB EL MANDEB STRAIT: On 23 January at 0938 UTC, UAV activity was observed 46 NM south of Mokha,
Yemen (exact position not specified). (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

5. (U) ARABIAN SEA: On 21 January at 0830 UTC, a small boat approached a merchant vessel 121 NM southeast of
Muscat, Oman, near position 23:08N – 060:45E. The boat came to within 1,000 meters of the vessel and stopped.
No ladders or weapons were visible. The boat then began to approach another vessel. Up to three other small
boats were also seen in the area. (Clearwater Dynamics)

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6. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 18 January at 1900 UTC, a UAV was observed in close proximity to the Marshall Islands-
flagged, U.S.-owned product tanker CHEM RANGER 110 NM southeast of Aden, Yemen, near position 12:27N –
046:53E. According to U.S. Central Command, Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles at the tanker. The
crew observed a missile explode in the water near the ship. There were no reported injuries or damage to the
ship. CHEM RANGER later resumed its voyage. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics; U.S. Central Command)

7. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 18 January at 1833 UTC, four UAVs were observed flying near a merchant vessel 85 NM
southeast of Ash Shihr, Yemen, near position 13:06N – 050:00E. One of the UAVs hit the water approximately 800
meters from the vessel. The master reported that the crew and vessel were safe following the incident and the
vessel proceeded to its next port. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

8. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 17 January at an unspecified time, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) struck the Marshall
Islands-flagged bulk carrier GENCO PICARDY while underway approximately 60 NM SE of Aden, Yemen, near
position 11:58N – 045:31E. The UAV hit the vessel on its port side. The master reported that there was a fire
onboard, which was subsequently extinguished. Vessel and crew were reported safe following the incident.
(UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics; gCaptain)

9. (U) RED SEA: On 17 January at 0330 UTC, eight small boats approached a vessel underway approximately 15
NM SW of Mokha, Yemen, near position 13:17N – 042:59E. The eight boats followed the vessel before departing
the area. The vessel and crew were reported safe. (Clearwater Dynamics)

10. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 16 January at 1945 UTC, a vessel spotted a possible UAV while underway
approximately 138 NM SE of Mukallah, Yemen, near position 13:35N – 051:20E. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

11. (U) RED SEA: On 16 January at 1100 UTC, an unknown object struck a Malta-flagged bulk carrier underway
approximately 100 NM northwest of Saleef, Yemen (exact location not specified). The object hit the vessel’s cargo
hold. The vessel sustained some damage above the water line, but reported no fires or casualties resulting from
the impact. Following the incident, the vessel and its crew were reported safe and the vessel was continuing to its
next port of call. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

12. (U) RED SEA: On 16 January at 1100 UTC, four boats approached a merchant vessel approximately 13 NM east
of Mokha, Yemen, near position 13:17N – 043:01E. When the boats came to within 400 meters of the vessel, the
armed security onboard fired four warning shots into the water, which resulted in the boats aborting their
approach. The ship continued its voyage with no reported damage and the crew safe. (Clearwater Dynamics)

13. (U) RED SEA: On 15 January at 2200 UTC, a small boat circled a vessel approximately 57 NM north-northwest
of Assab, Eritrea, near position 13:41N – 042:35E. The armed security team onboard displayed their weapons and
fired warning shots, after which the small boat departed. The crew and vessel were reported safe and the vessel
proceeded to its next port. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

14. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 15 January at 1305 UTC, an anti-ship ballistic missile, fired from Houthi-controlled
areas of Yemen, struck the Marshall Islands-flagged container ship GIBRALTAR EAGLE, approximately 95 NM

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southeast of Aden, Yemen, near position 12:30N – 046:49E. The ship reported no injuries or significant damage,
and continued its voyage. (U.S. Central Command; UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

15. (U) RED SEA: On 14 January at 1110 UTC, two small boats approached a Panama-flagged cargo vessel 23 NM
northwest of Assab, Eritrea, near position 13:18N – 042:29E. The two small craft had as many as six armed persons
onboard dressed in civilian clothes with a heavy machine gun fitted onboard. After approaching, the boats hailed
the vessel and attempted to get it to alter course. The vessel maintained its course. The two small boats then left
the vicinity. The crew and vessel are reported safe. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

16 (U) RED SEA: On 14 January at 0445 UTC, the Houthis fired an anti-ship cruise missile toward the USS LABOON.
A U.S. fighter aircraft intercepted the missile off the coast of Hodeida, Yemen. No injuries or damage were
reported. (U.S. Central Command; Clearwater Dynamics)

17. (U) SOMALIA: On the night of 12 January, two Yemeni fishing boats were hijacked near Maraya on Somalia’s
east coast, near position 08:19N – 050:10E. (Clearwater Dynamics; IMB)

18. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 12 January at 1500 UTC, there were multiple reports of small boats approaching
merchant shipping approximately 80 NM southeast of Aden, Yemen. According to one report, two small boats
followed a merchant vessel for over an hour. The vessel reported that no weapons were sighted. (UKMTO;
Clearwater Dynamics)

19. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 12 January at approximately 1500 UTC, a missile landed in the water 400 to 500 meters
away from a merchant vessel, followed by three small boats, near position 12:15N – 046:20E. No injuries or
damage were reported and the vessel proceeded to its next port. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

20. (U) GULF OF OMAN: On 11 January at 0330 UTC, as many as five members of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps (IRGC), dressed in black, military style uniforms and black masks, boarded the Marshall Islands-
flagged tanker ST NIKOLAS as it sailed 50 NM east of Sohar, Oman, near position 24:35N – 057:35E. The IRGC
forced the tanker to change course toward Iranian territorial waters. The tanker was last reported to be located in
the anchorage of the Larak/Qeshm Islands, near position 27:00N – 056:17E. There are 19 crew onboard, consisting
of 18 Philippine nationals and one Greek national. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics; Reuters; vesseltracker.com)

21. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 10 January at 2300 UTC, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into international
shipping lanes. A merchant vessel reported observing a missile impact the water. No damage or injuries were
reported. (Clearwater Dynamics)

22. (U) RED SEA: On 9 January at 2000 UTC, a vessel was fired upon by three small boats while underway
approximately 13 NM southwest of Dhubab, Yemen, near position 12:50N – 043:13E. The boats reportedly fired
two projectiles at the vessel from 1 NM away; the projectiles missed the vessel. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
also passed over the vessel. At 2245 UTC, the vessel reported that the three small craft fired twice on another
vessel before heading back toward Yemen. Neither vessel was hit by any of the projectiles fired from the small
boats. (Clearwater Dynamics)

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23. (U) RED SEA: On 9 January at 1930 UTC, approximately 50 NM west of Hodeida, Yemen, a complex attack
directed toward international shipping lanes and involving one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles (OWA UAVs)
as well as anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles was launched from Houthi-controlled territory. Eighteen UAVs, two
cruise missiles, and one ballistic missile were shot down by a combination of fighter aircraft from USS
EISENHOWER, USS GRAVELY, USS LABOON, USS MASON, and the United Kingdom’s HMS DIAMOND. There were
no injuries or damage reported. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics; US Central Command)

24. (U) BAB EL MANDEB STRAIT: On 8 January at 0800 UTC, two green-hulled small craft approached within 0.5
NM of a vessel approximately 50 NM southeast of Mokha, Yemen, near position 12:30N – 043:25E. No weapons
were sighted, and the crew and vessel were reported safe. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

25. (U) BAB EL MANDEB STRAIT: On 6 January at 1324 UTC, six small craft approached within 1 NM of a merchant
vessel approximately 50 NM southeast of Mokha, Yemen, near position 12:30N – 043:28E. No weapons were
sighted and coalition forces were sent to investigate the incident. Authorities reported that the small craft exited
the area, and that the crew and vessel were safe. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

26. (U) RED SEA: On 6 January at 0630 UTC, USS LABOON was patrolling in the southern Red Sea (exact position
not known) and shot down a UAV in the vicinity of multiple commercial vessels. The UAV had been launched from
Houthi-controlled area in Yemen. No casualties or damage to any vessels were reported. (Clearwater Dynamics)

27. (U) RED SEA: On 5 January at 1934 UTC, a UAV was seen circling a vessel near position 17:50N – 039:29E. The
crew and security team manned their stations and monitored the activity. The UAV made no aggressive advances
toward the vessel and departed the area. The security team was then stood down. Thirty minutes later another
UAV approached the same vessel, circled and then departed. (Clearwater Dynamics)

28. (U) INDIAN OCEAN: On 4 January at 1419 UTC, as many as six persons armed with machine guns and rocket
launchers onboard a skiff launched from a mothership, boarded the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier LILA NORFOLK
while underway 460 NM east of Eyl, Somalia, near position 06:05N – 057:18E. During the boarding, all but one of
the ship’s crew, composed of 15 Indian and 6 Philippine nationals, sheltered in the citadel; the remaining crew
member hid elsewhere. The Indian Navy destroyer INS CHENNAI responded to UKMTO’s report of the attack on
LILA NORFOLK. The Indian Navy also deployed a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and a Predator drone to assist in the
interception of the vessel. After arriving at LILA NORFOLK’s location on 5 January, Marine commandos from
CHENNAI subsequently boarded and found no unauthorized persons. All crew were accounted for and unharmed.
(UKMTO; IMB; Clearwater Dynamics; vesseltracker.com; U.S. Naval Institute; India Today)

29. (U) RED SEA: On 4 January, an unmanned surface vessel packed with explosives and launched from Houthi-
controlled territory detonated in shipping lanes approximately 50 NM from Yemen (exact time and location not
specified). The detonation occurred within a few nautical miles of ships operating in the area—merchant ships and
U.S. Navy ships—but no damage or casualties were reported. VADM Cooper of the U.S. Naval Forces Central
Command stated that the intended target of the attack was unclear. (The Hill.com; Reuters; Clearwater Dynamics)

30. (U) RED SEA: On 2 January at 1850 UTC, approximately 33 NM east of Assab, Eritrea, the master of the Malta-
flagged container ship CMA CGM TAGE reported three explosions within 5 NM of the vessel, near position 12:57N
– 043:11E. The Houthi military spokesman said in a televised speech that the group had targeted the container

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ship after it ignored warnings. He did not say when or where the incident took place. CENTCOM said in a
statement late on 2 January that there were no reports of any damage caused by the two missiles fired by Houthis
into the southern Red Sea. The crew are safe and no damage to the vessel has been reported. (UKMTO; Clearwater
Dynamics; Reuters; gCaptain; U.S. Central Command)

31. (U) SOMALIA: On 2 January in the morning hours, pirates hijacked a fishing dhow in the Gulf of Aden near
Quandala. (IMB; Clearwater Dynamics)

32. (U) RED SEA: On 31 December at 0247 UTC, four small boats approached the Singapore-flagged container ship
MAERSK HANGZHOU and exchanged gunfire with the armed security team onboard, approximately 60 NM
northwest of Hodeida, Yemen (exact location not specified). The attackers, heavily armed with crew-served
weapons and small arms, approached to within 20 meters. Helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER and USS
GRAVELY responded to the distress call from MAERSK HANGZHOU and in self-defense returned fire sinking three
of the four attacking boats and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area. The vessel and crew were reported
safe from the attack. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics;
GCaptain; U.S. Central Command)

33. (U) RED SEA: On 30 December at 2017 UTC, two possible unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fired on an
underway vessel 48 NM southwest of Hodeida, Yemen, near position 14:21N – 042:15E. The UAVs were not
detected by the vessel’s radar, were flying at low altitude, and were identified visually prior to rounds being fired
approximately 3 NM from the vessel’s location. The vessel was not hit by any rounds and continued its voyage.
(Clearwater Dynamics)

34. (U) RED SEA: On 30 December at 1655 UTC, a missile struck the underway Singapore-flagged container ship
MAERSK HANGZHOU approximately 55 NM southwest of Hodeida, Yemen (exact position not specified). Maersk
confirmed the crew were safe and that the vessel was fully maneuverable and able to clear the area at full speed.
The container ship was en route to Port Suez, Egypt, from Singapore. While responding to the missile attack on
MAERSK HANGZHOU at 1730 UTC on 30 December, USS GRAVELY shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired
into the southern Red Sea from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics; gCaptain; U.S.
Central Command)

35. (U) SOMALIA: On 30 December at 1058 UTC, the fishing dhow AL SAQAR was hijacked near Hafun, off the
northeastern coast of Somalia (exact position not specified). Later reporting stated that the dhow was headed
southward and spotted near Afbarwaaqo, an anchorage between Eyl and Hobyo. (IMB; Clearwater Dynamics)

I. (U) EAST ASIA – SOUTHEAST ASIA:

1. (U) INDONESIA: On 13 January at 0130 local time, five perpetrators attempted to board the Liberia-flagged
product tanker SOLAR ROMA while anchored at Dumai Anchorage, near position 01:43N – 101:25E. The security
patrol onboard the tanker noticed the unauthorized persons and notified the officer of the watch. The alarm was
raised, causing the perpetrators to abort their boarding attempt and depart the area. Nothing was stolen and the
port authorities were notified. (IMB; Clearwater Dynamics; vesseltracker.com)

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2. (U) INDONESIA: On 10 January at 0240 local time, five perpetrators, including one armed with a knife, boarded
the underway Panama-flagged bulk carrier CMB CHIKAKO in the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait Traffic
Separation Scheme (TSS), near position 01:03N – 103:41E. The crew spotted the robbers in the engine room. The
master raised the alarm, mustered the crew, and reported the boarding to local authorities. The crew thoroughly
searched the vessel and found engine spare parts missing. The master reported all crew were safe and there were
no injuries. The vessel did not require any assistance and continued its voyage to Singapore. (Clearwater
Dynamics; ReCAAP)

3. (U) INDONESIA: On 4 January at 0315 local time, six robbers armed with knives boarded the underway Iran-
flagged bulk carrier ARTIN in the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait TSS, near position 01:04N – 103:40E. The
crew sighted the perpetrators at the stern. The master raised the alarm, mustered the crew, and notified local
authorities. All crew were reported safe. Some engine spare parts were stolen. The vessel did not require
assistance and continued its voyage to China. (ReCAAP; vesseltracker.com)

4. (U) INDONESIA: On 4 January at 0300 local time, three robbers armed with knives and guns boarded an
anchored general cargo ship at Lubuk Gaung Anchorage near Dumai on the Malacca Strait, near position 01:45N –
101:22E. The perpetrators restrained a duty crew member after boarding. The crew member was able to alert the
officer of the watch who raised the alarm and mustered the crew. After searching the vessel, the crew confirmed
that the robbers had escaped with engine spare parts. (IMB; Clearwater Dynamics)

5. (U) INDONESIA: On 4 January at 0240 local time, five robbers boarded the underway Singapore-flagged bulk
carrier CRIMSON QUEEN in the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait TSS, near position 01:03N – 103:40E. The
crew spotted the perpetrators in the engine room. Following the incident, the master reported that all crew were
safe and that generator spare parts were stolen. The ship did not require assistance and continued its voyage to
Singapore. (vesseltracker.com; Clearwater Dynamics)

6. (U) INDONESIA: On 4 January at 0050 local time, the duty crew on security rounds spotted one perpetrator
attempting to board the anchored Portugal-flagged bulk carrier HELGA OLDENDORFF at Balikpapan Anchorage in
the Makassar Strait, near position 01:21S – 116:59E. A crew member saw a white-hulled skiff near the vessel’s
anchor chain and one person climbing the anchor chain. The crew member informed the officer of the watch, who
then raised the alarm and sounded the ship’s horn. Seeing the alert crew, the perpetrator aborted the attempted
boarding and fled in the skiff. The vessel and crew were reported safe following the incident. (IMB; Clearwater
Dynamics; vesseltracker.com)

7. (U) INDONESIA: On 27 December at 0200 local time, four robbers armed with long knives boarded the Panama-
flagged product tanker SHOKAI anchored at Dumai Anchorage near position 01:43N – 101:26E. The robbers took
a duty crewman hostage and tied him up. The onboard shore security watchman deserted his post upon being
threatened by the armed perpetrators. The duty engineer on routine rounds noticed the robbers and raised the
alarm. Following the raising of the alarm, the robbers escaped with stolen engine parts. The vessel reported the
incident to port authorities through the local agent. (IMB; Clearwater Dynamics; vesseltracker.com)

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J. (U) INDIAN SUBCONTINENT:

(U) Figure 3. Indian Subcontinent Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea

1. (U) BANGLADESH: (Late Reporting) On 14 January at 2215 local time, a deck officer onboard a tanker anchored
at Chattogram Anchorage, near position 21:50S – 091:41E, identified a small radar target close to the vessel.
Watch standers were then deployed to check for any boats near the vessel and saw two persons on a small boat
preparing to throw a grappling hook and rope toward the ship. The alarm was raised, the crew mustered, and fire
hoses were activated. This activity caused the perpetrators to abandon their attempted boarding and move away
from the tanker. (IMB; Clearwater Dynamics)

K. (U) AUSTRALIA – NEW ZEALAND – PACIFIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.

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5. (U) Appendix A: Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea Statistics and Trends

6. (U) Appendix B: Definitions and Sourcing

A. (U) Definitions: In order to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference, we use the following
definitions to describe a range of criminal antishipping activity and impediments to safe navigation in our
worldwide reporting and analysis.

 (U) Attempted Boarding – Close approach or hull-to-hull contact with report that boarding
paraphernalia were employed or visible in the approaching boat.

 (U) Blocking – Hampering safe navigation, docking, or undocking of a vessel as a means of protest.

 (U) Boarding – Unauthorized embarkation of a vessel by persons not part of its complement without
successfully taking control of the vessel.

 (U) Fired Upon – Weapons discharged at or toward a vessel.

 (U) Hijacking – Unauthorized seizure and retention of a vessel by persons not part of its complement.

 (U) Kidnapping – Unauthorized forcible removal of persons belonging to the vessel from it.

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 (U) Hijacking/Kidnapping Combination – Unauthorized seizure and retention of a vessel by persons not
part of its complement who forcefully remove crew members from vessel when disembarking.

 (U) Robbery – Theft from a vessel or from persons aboard the vessel.

 (U) Suspicious Approach – All other unexplained activity in close proximity of an unknown vessel.

B. (U) Sourcing: ONI derives information in this report primarily from government agencies, piracy reporting
centers, maritime security companies, and open press.

7. (U) Appendix C: Active U.S. Maritime Advisories

Title Effective Date Expiration Date

2023-016-Gulf of Guinea – Piracy/Armed
27 DEC 2023 24 JUN 24
Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom
2023-015-Global – Overview of the U.S. Maritime
22 DEC 23 19 JUN 24
Advisory System
2023-014-Eastern Mediterranean Sea – Regional
26 OCT 23 23 APR 24
Conflict
2023-013-Various – GPS Interference & AIS Spoofing 2 OCT 23 30 MAR 24
2023-012-Global – New U.S. Maritime Alert and
22 SEP 23 24 MAR 24
Advisory Subscription Process
2023-011-Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of
Oman, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bab al Mandeb,
6 SEP 23 4 MAR 24
Red Sea, and Somali Basin – Threats to Commercial
Vessels
2023-010-Black Sea and Sea of Azov – Military
1 SEP 23 28 FEB 24
Combat Operations
2023-009-Worldwide – Foreign Adversarial
23 AUG 23 19 FEB 24
Technological, Physical, And Cyber Influence

(U) ICOD: 24 January 2024

(U) The Worldwide Threat to Shipping reports are posted weekly on the ONI Intelligence Portal:
https://www.oni.navy.mil/ONI-Reports/Shipping-Threat-Reports/Worldwide-Threat-to-Shipping/

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