Weekly Piracy Report

20 January 2009 - 26 January 2009

Suspicious crafts

None reported

Recently reported incidents

• 22.01.2009: 2050 LT: Pampallia port, Peru.

A chemical tanker, at berth was boarded by an unknown number of robbers, while cargo operations were in progress. The deck security watchman was found to be beaten up and tied up. Upon searching, no robbers were found onboard.  Authorities were informed and a coast guard boat arrived and conducted an investigation.  Ship’s stores were stolen. Injured crew was sent ashore for medical treatment and later returned to vessel.

• 19.01.2009: 2300 LT: Tema roads, Ghana.

Robbers boarded a container ship at anchor. They broke into a container and escaped with its contents and other ship's stores.

• 17.01.2009: 2200 LT: Posn: 04:10N - 007:14E, bonny offshore terminal, SPM-1, Nigeria.

Robbers armed with automatic weapons and explosives boarded and attacked a line tug being used by a tanker undergoing loading operations. The line tug captain was killed in the attack. The robbers later approached the tanker and threw grenades which luckily did not hit the tanker. Robbers gained entry into the accommodation by firing on one of the accommodation doors.  The crew locked themselves in the engine room for safety. Crew and ship's property was stolen by the robbers. The attack lasted nearly one hour. All crew are safe.

• 11.01.2009: 0255 LT: Guanta port, Venezuela.

Four robbers armed with long knives boarded a container ship during cargo operations. They broke open one reefer container and stole contents from it. Upon seeing the watchman, the robbers escaped. Port police informed.