PIRATES INTELLIGNECE

Piracy Prone Areas and Warnings

Mariners are warned to be extra cautious and to take necessary precautionary measures when transiting
the following areas:

SOUTH EAST ASIA AND INDIAN SUB CONTINENT

Bangladesh : Attacks are still continuing. The area is listed as high risk. Pirates are seen targeting ships
preparing to anchor. Most attacks reported at Chittagong anchorages and approaches.

Indonesia : Anambas / Natuna / Mangkai islands area. Attacks are increasing. Pirates normally armed
with guns / knives and / or machetes. Generally be vigilant in other areas. Many attacks may have gone
unreported.

Malacca Straits : Although the number of attacks has dropped due to the increase and aggressive
patrols by the littoral states authorities since July 2005, ships are advised to continue maintaining a strict
anti piracy watch when transiting the straits. Currently, there are no indications as to how long these
patrols will continue or reduce.

Malaysia : Off Tioman / Pulau Aur / South China Sea. Pirates armed with guns and knives attack
vessels during the hour of darkness. A number of tugs / barges hijacked in the area.

Singapore Straits : Vessels are advised to remain vigilant and maintain anti piracy watch. Pirates attack
ships while underway or while anchored at Eastern OPL.

South China Sea : in the vicinity off Anambas / Natuna islands area.

Vietnam : Vung Tau

AFRICA AND RED SEA.

Africa : - Lagos (Nigeria): Pirates are violent and have attacked and robbed vessels / kidnapped crews
along the coast, rivers, anchorages, ports and surrounding waters. A number of crew members were
injured in some of the attacks. Vessels are also advised to be vigilant in other parts in Nigeria as many
attacks may have gone unreported.

- Conakry ( Guinea ) : Pirates armed with automatic weapons are violent and aggressive in the attacks.
In some attacks, pirates dressed in military uniforms.

- Douala (Cameroon) : Two recent attacks with kidnapping of crews occurred at Douala Outer
Anchorage.

Gulf of Aden/Red Sea : Somali pirates continue to attack vessels off the northern Somali coast in the
Gulf of Aden and southern Red Sea including the Bab El Mandeb TSS despite increased presence of
warships. The pirates are firing automatic weapons and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) in an attempt
to intimidate the Master and board and hijack vessels. Once the attack is successful the hijacked vessel
is sailed the Somali coast. Thereafter a ransom is demanded for the release of the vessel and crew.

All vessels transiting the area are encouraged to follow the industry Best Management Practice (BMP). A
copy of the BMP can be downloaded from the IMB website www.icc-ccs.org under the Piracy Alert
section. Additional measures to harden and secure the vessel should also be taken. A strict 24 hour anti
piracy watch should be maintained using all available means. Watch keeping crews should lookout for
small suspicious boats converging towards their own vessel. Early sightings / detection and accurate
assessment will allow Master to increase speed and take evasive manoeuvres to escape from the
pirates and at the same time request for assistance from various Navies and Authorities / Agencies
including the IMB PRC.

Since 1 February 2009, MSCHOA has established the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor
(IRTC). Military assets (Naval and Air) will be strategically deployed within the area to best provide
protection and support to merchant ships.

Masters using the IRTC are not relieved of their obligation towards ensuring the safety and security of
their vessel. Some vessels have been attacked/hijacked in the corridor.

Ship owners are advised to register their details on the MSCHOA website www.mschoa.org and obtain
further information/advice regarding the close support protection details for ships transiting the Gulf of
Aden. Ships are encouraged to conduct their passage through the IRTC in groups based on their transit
speed of 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 kts.

Masters are also advised to maintain a listening watch on CH 16, CH 8 and CH 72 in order to hear the
Maritime Advisory Calls from the warships in the area who will make general security broadcasts and in
turn also listen to merchant ships calling them. Masters are also advised to monitor the IMB Piracy
Reporting Centre (PRC) broadcast and Warnings via Inmarsat C EGC Safety Net. All attempted and
actual attacks and suspicious sightings reported to warships should also be reported to the IMB PRC.

The onset of the South West monsoons in June, off the east coast of Somalia and in the Indian Ocean,
will result in increased attacks in waters which favour small boat activity – namely the southern Red Sea
areas and parts of the Gulf of Aden.

Somalia : Somali pirates continue aggressively to attack vessels in the northern, eastern and southern
coast of Somalia. The attacks have spread up to the sea area off Kenya, off Tanzania, off Seychelles, off
Madagascar and in the Indian Ocean (West , Central and East) and Arabian Sea / off Oman and off west
coast India and off western Maldives. Somali pirates are dangerous and are prepared to fire their
automatic weapons and RPG at vessels in order to stop them.

Pirates are believed to be using “mother vessels” to launch attacks at very far distance from coast. The
“mother vessel” is able to proceed further out to sea to launch smaller boats or skiffs to attack and hijack
passing vessels. Some of these attacks have taken place more than 1,000 nm from the Somali coast
(towards Indian west and south coast in the Indian Ocean). Recent attacks showed that pirates are also
attacking vessels close to the coast of Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Yemen and Oman.

The IMB in cooperation with MSCHOA suggest that vessels not making scheduled calls to ports in
Somalia should keep as far away as possible from the Somali coast, preferably more than 600 nautical
miles from the coastline and when routing north / south consider keeping east of 60°E longitude.

In view of recent attacks, it is suggested that when proceeding to and from ports in South Africa,
Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia vessels should consider routing south of 10°S and east of 60°E. Keeping
above in mind Masters are cautioned that attacks have taken place as far east as 70°E and as far south
as 12°S. Mariners are advised to report any attacks and suspicious boats as recommended in the BMP
to

UKMTO: Tel: +971 50 552 3215, Fax: +971 4 306 5710, Email: UKMTO@eim.ae

MSCHOA: Tel: +44 (0) 1923 958545, Fax: +44 (0) 1923 958520, Email: postmaster@mschoa.org

IMB PRC: Tel: +60 3 2031 0014, Fax: +60 3 2078 5769, Email: postmaster@mschoa.org / imbkl@icc-
ccs.org

A 24 hour visual and radar watch must be maintained at all times while transiting these waters as early
sightings / detection and accurate assessment will allow Masters to take evasive actions, increase speed
and at the same time request for assistance and escape.

SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN WATERS

Brazil : Although the number of reported attacks has dropped in Santos, ships are advised to maintain
vigilance.

Peru : Callao : most attacks occurred at anchor despite vessel employing security watchmen.

REST OF THE WORLD

Arabian Sea / Off Oman : Sightings and calls from suspicious small boats. In some cases ships chased
with unknown intent. Attacks reported off Oman and Arabian Sea where a number of vessels were
attacked and hijacked. Pirates believed to be Somali pirates extending their attack areas.

Indian Ocean (West, Central & East ) Off Seychelles / Off Madagascar / Off West Maldives :
Suspected Somali pirates seen attacking and hijacking vessels in these areas. Pirates use ocean going
vessels “mother vessels” to sail far from Somali coast to attack and hijack passing vessels. Smaller skiffs
are launched from the pirate “mother vessel” to attack passing merchant vessels. Pirates are heavily
armed with automatic weapons and RPG