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

15 November–13 December 2023

13 December 2023

(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 14 December, a vessel reported an explosion 50 meters off its port quarter.

B. (U) RED SEA: On 14 December, an entity claiming to be the Yemeni Navy ordered a vessel underway in the Red
Sea to alter course to Yemen.

C. (U) OMAN: On 13 December, between five and six small boats followed a vessel underway approximately 90
NM south of Al Duqm, Oman.

D. (U) RED SEA: On 13 December, a Malta-flagged bulk carrier was approached while underway 50 NM west of
Hodeidah, Yemen.

E. (U) RED SEA: On 13 December, a small boat with three armed persons onboard approached and fired upon a
Marshall Islands-flagged tanker underway approximately 50 NM west of Hodeidah, Yemen.

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F. (U) RED SEA: On 11 December, an entity claiming to be the Yemeni Navy ordered a vessel underway in the Red
Sea to alter course to a port in Yemen (exact location not specified).

G. (U) RED SEA: On 11 December, a missile struck the Norway-flagged tanker STRINDA while underway 15 NM
west of Mokha, Yemen.

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:

1. (U) PERU: On 16 November, two robbers armed with a gun boarded the anchored, Portugal-flagged bulk carrier
NORDMOSEL at Callao Anchorage, near position 11:59S – 077:13W and stole ship’s stores from the forward
station. The ship reported the incident to Callao port authorities. All crew were safe. (IMB; Clearwater Dynamics;
vesseltracker.com)

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) NIGERIA: On 2 December at 1305 UTC, armed suspects fired upon a group of fishing vessels 8 NM offshore
south of Brass, near position 04:10N – 006:20E. The perpetrators killed one fisherman and injured another before
stealing engines and fishing equipment. (MDAT-GoG; Clearwater Dynamics)

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

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

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

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

1. (U) RED SEA: On 14 December at 1146 UTC, a vessel reported an explosion 50 meters off its port quarter while
underway near position 13:41N – 042:38E. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution
and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

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2. (U) RED SEA: On 14 December at 1145 UTC, an entity claiming to be the Yemeni Navy ordered a vessel
underway in the Red Sea to alter course to Yemen, near position 14:54N – 042:01E. (UKMTO; Clearwater
Dynamics)

3. (U) OMAN: On 13 December at 0500 UTC, five or six small boats followed a vessel underway approximately 90
NM south of Al Duqm, Oman, near position 18:30N – 058:44E. Each boat had up to three persons onboard, a
machine gun mounted on the bow, and powerful outboard engines. The boats followed the vessel for 90 minutes
and approached to within 0.7 NM of the vessel before leaving the area. (Clearwater Dynamics; UKMTO)

4. (U) RED SEA: On 13 December at 0400 UTC, a Malta-flagged bulk carrier was approached while underway 50
NM west of Hodeidah, Yemen, near position 14:48N – 042:04E. AIS data indicates that the vessel continued its
voyage north through the Red Sea. (Clearwater Dynamics)

5. (U) RED SEA: On 13 December at 0343 UTC, a speedboat with three armed persons onboard approached and
fired upon the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker ARDMORE ENCOUNTER underway approximately 50 NM from
Hodeidah, Yemen, near position 14:48N – 041:57E. The speedboat had two outboard engines and approached the
vessel at 20 knots. The embarked armed security team fired warning shots and the perpetrators fired up to 10
rounds at the tanker from a distance of 300 meters before departing the area. Following the small craft's
departure, an entity declaring itself as the Yemeni authorities directed the vessel to alter course to Yemen. At least
two missiles were subsequently launched from Yemen in the direction of the tanker. One missile was intercepted
and the second exploded 200 meters from the vessel’s stern. Crew mustered in the emergency station after the
explosion. The vessel and crew were reported as safe following the incident. (Clearwater Dynamics; UKMTO;
gCaptain; vesseltracker.com)

6. (U) RED SEA: On 11 December at 2245 UTC, an entity claiming to be the Yemeni Navy ordered a vessel
underway in the Red Sea to alter course to a port in Yemen (exact location not specified). (Clearwater Dynamics;
UKMTO)

7. (U) RED SEA: On 11 December at 2100 UTC, an anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) struck the Norway-flagged
tanker STRINDA while underway 15 NM west of Mokha, Yemen, near position 13:17N – 042:59E. The ASCM was
launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. The vessel reported a fire and damage onboard resulting from
the attack. The fire was subsequently brought under control and no injuries were reported. (UKMTO; Clearwater
Dynamics; gCaptain; Maritime Executive)

8. (U) RED SEA: On 6 December at 0718 UTC, UKMTO received a report of a drone loitering 49 NM southwest of
Hodeida, Yemen, near position 14:25N – 042:12E. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

9. (U) RED SEA: On 3 December at 1230 UTC, an entity claiming to be Yemeni authorities ordered a vessel
transiting the Red Sea approximately 52 NM southwest of Hodeida, Yemen, near position 14:22N – 042:10E, to
alter course toward the coast of Yemen. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics; Ambrey)

10. (U) RED SEA: On 3 December at 1230 UTC, the master of the Panama-flagged container ship NUMBER 9
reported a drone attack on the vessel near position 15:16N – 041:42E, 56 NM west of Saleef, Yemen. The vessel

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reported damage but no casualties. It departed the area at full speed. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics; Ambrey;
Maritime Executive)

11. (U) RED SEA: On 3 December at 0928 UTC, the master of the Panama-flagged bulk carrier AOM SOPHIE II
reported a drone attack near position 13:25N – 042:40E, 34 NM west-northwest of Mocha, Yemen. The vessel
continued its voyage following the incident. (UKMTO, Clearwater Dynamics; Ambrey; Maritime Executive)

12. (U) RED SEA: On 3 December at 0610 UTC, the master of the Bahamas-flagged, Israeli-affiliated bulk carrier
UNITY EXPLORER reported drone activity and an explosion in the vicinity of the vessel, near position 13:58N –
042:18E, 62 NM southwest of Hodeida, Yemen. The master of the bulk carrier reported that the explosion was 2
NM away from the vessel. U.S. Central Command later reported that an anti-ship ballistic missile was fired at the
bulk carrier and exploded near the vessel. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics; Ambrey; Maritime Executive)

13. (U) RED SEA: On 3 December at an unspecified time, a Liberia-flagged oil tanker sighted an explosion in the air
above the vessel while approximately 15 NM SW of Mocha, Yemen, near position 13:06N – 043:07E. The vessel
confirmed no damage was sustained and no crew members were injured. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

14. (U) MOZAMBIQUE: On 1 December at 2310 local time, an unknown number of robbers boarded a tanker
anchored at Nacala Anchorage, near position 14:32N – 040:39E. Duty crew members noticed the door to the aft
store was open. Upon investigating, they discovered ship’s stores missing but found no perpetrators. (IMB;
Clearwater Dynamics)

15. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 29 November at 1106 UTC, up to eight perpetrators armed with automatic rifles and
rocket propelled grenades hijacked an Iran-flagged fishing vessel operating off Quandala, Somalia, near position
11:34N – 049:55E. The fishing vessel had reportedly engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing
in the area. (Clearwater Dynamics)

16. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 29 November at 1000 UTC, UKMTO received three separate reports from masters
providing information on small craft acting suspiciously in the Gulf of Aden near positions 11:52N – 044:54E,
12:13N – 045:48E, and 12:09N – 045:44E. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

17. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 27 November at 0643 UTC, one craft with three persons onboard approached a motor
vessel to within 0.6 NM near position 12:15N – 045:02E, approximately 50 NM south of Aden, Yemen. The craft
followed the motor vessel for one hour before changing direction and departing the area. The master reported
the vessel and all crew safe. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

18. (U) YEMEN: On 26 November at 0601 UTC, five armed individuals in a skiff boarded the Liberia-flagged, Israeli-
affiliated product tanker CENTRAL PARK, 53 NM southwest of Aden, near position 12:09N – 044:16E, while in
transit in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). While the attack was in progress, the crew
secured themselves in the citadel and issued a distress call. The USS MASON and other allied ships from the
coalition counter-piracy combined task force CTF 151 responded to the tanker’s call. After unsuccessfully
attempting to breach the citadel door, the gunmen retreated to their skiff and escaped. The USS MASON pursued
the subjects and successfully apprehended the five individuals. The tanker and crew were reported safe. (UKMTO;
Clearwater Dynamics; MARAD; Ambrey; Reuters; Guardian; Fox News)

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19. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 26 November at 0600 UTC, a vessel was approached by eight persons in military style
clothing onboard two black and white craft 80 NM south of Aden, Yemen, near position 11:25N – 045:03E. The
craft approached to within 0.5 NM and were positioned on each quarter of the vessel. The master reported the
vessel and all crew safe. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

20. (U) RED SEA: On 25 November at 1009 UTC, UKMTO reported an entity declaring itself as Yemeni authorities
had ordered an underway tanker in the Red Sea to alter course, while west of Mokha, Yemen, near approximate
position 13:37N – 042:37E. (UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics)

21. (U) ARABIAN SEA: On 24 November at an unspecified time, the Malta-flagged, Israeli-managed container ship
CMA CGM SYMI was struck by a drone while underway in the Arabian Sea, near position 17:38N – 069:16E. The
ship sustained damage but the crew was unharmed. (Clearwater Dynamics; gCaptain; Maritime Executive)

22. (U) SOMALIA: On 22 November at 0600 UTC, a group of armed Somali clan members hijacked the Iran-flagged
fishing dhow ALMERAJ 1 while underway 90 NM northeast of Eyl. The militia’s reported reason for the hijacking
was alleged IUU fishing by the fishing dhow. The dhow’s owner stated that the hijackers have demanded a
$400,000 ransom and threatened to conduct further attacks if the ransom went unpaid. On 28 November,
EUNAVFOR issued an official statement that Operation ATALANTA has deployed dedicated assets to monitor the
dhow’s movements and report its position to maritime traffic. UPDATE: On 1 December, EUNAVFOR confirmed
that they had brought this incident to a successful resolution. Their action enabled the transfer of the fishing dhow
to Somali police forces who then escorted the vessel to shore and took relevant action with the suspected pirates.
(Clearwater Dynamics; Maritime Executive; Shipping Telegraph; Ambrey; EUNAVFOR)

23. (U) SOUTHERN RED SEA: On 19 November at 1415 UTC, Yemen’s Huthi militants hijacked the Bahamas-
flagged car carrier GALAXY LEADER 50 NM west of Hodeida, Yemen, near position 14:50N – 041:55E. An Israeli
shipping group beneficially owns the vessel. Video footage showed that armed militants boarded the vessel by
helicopter in broad daylight. The militants captured 25 crew members, including Bulgarians, Filipinos, Mexicans,
Romanians, and Ukrainians. The ship’s chief security officer reported the vessel had been taken to Hodeida.
(UKMTO; Clearwater Dynamics; Maritime Executive; vesseltracker.com)

I. (U) EAST ASIA – SOUTHEAST ASIA:

1. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 26 November at around 0245 local time, five robbers boarded the anchored Liberia-
flagged container ship G CROWN at Manila Bay Anchorage, near position 14:36N – 120:49E. The perpetrators
boarded the vessel through the hawse pipe. The duty crew observed the robbers and raised the alarm. The
robbers, noting the alerted crew, escaped with stolen ship’s properties. The ship informed authorities and a coast
guard patrol boat was sent to the vicinity. (IMB; Clearwater Dynamics; vesseltracker.com)

2. (U) PHILIPPNES: On 26 November at around 0245 local time, five robbers boarded the anchored Marshall
Islands-flagged container ship HANSA COLOMBO at Manila Bay Anchorage, near position 14:36N – 120:49E,
several hundred meters from the position of G CROWN. The duty crew noticed the robbers onboard and raised
the alarm, after which they escaped with stolen ship’s properties. The ship alerted authorities and the coast guard
responded. (Clearwater Dynamics; vesseltracker.com)

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3. (U) INDONESIA: On 23 November at 0435 local time, four robbers armed with knives boarded the anchored
Singapore-flagged tanker ARGENT DAISY at Dumai Anchorage near position 01:43N – 101:26E. The robbers
threatened and took hostage a crew member, while another crew member escaped, informed the duty officer and
raised the alarm. Following the sounding of the general alarm, the perpetrators released the crew member and
fled into a small boat. A search was conducted by the crew and nothing was found to be stolen. All crew members
were reported safe following the incident. (IMB; Clearwater Dynamics; vesseltracker.com; ReCAAP)

4. (U) INDONESIA: On 20 November at 0445 local time, an unspecified number of robbers boarded the berthed
Singapore-flagged tanker ARGENT DAISY at Wharf 106, Belawan Port, near position 03:47N – 098:41E. The duty
crew observed the robbers on the upper deck and raised the alarm. The robbers fled the ship with stolen ship’s
properties. The vessel reported the incident to local authorities through the local agent. (IMB; Clearwater
Dynamics; vesseltracker.com; ReCAAP)

5. (U) INDONESIA: On 15 November at 0545 local time, three robbers armed with a knife boarded an anchored
product tanker at Belawan Anchorage, near position 03:56N – 098:45E. The duty crew discovered the robbers and
raised the alarm after which the robbers escaped empty-handed. (IMB; Clearwater Dynamics)

J. (U) INDIAN SUBCONTINENT: No current incidents to report.

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

2023-014-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
2023-008-Gulf of Guinea – Piracy/Armed 30 JUN 23 29 DEC 23
Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom

(U) ICOD: 13 December 2023

(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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