IMB Issues Piracy Warning to Vessels in Gulf of Aden; Entry to Oil Transit Chokepoint

22 August 2008

Following a month that has seen seven vessels hijacked in the region, the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has issued a new piracy warning to all vessels sailing in the Gulf of Aden. The Gulf of Aden is connected to the Red Sea by the Strait of Bab el-Mandab, which is considered one of the strategic world oil transit chokepoints, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

IMB global piracy map for 2008. Red signifies actual attacks, yellow attempted attacks. Click to enlarge.

Exports from the Persian Gulf must pass through the Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandab before entering the Suez Canal. In 2006, an estimated 3.3 million bbl/d flowed through this waterway toward Europe, the United States, and Asia. The majority of traffic, around 2.1 million bbl/d, flows northbound through the Bab el-Mandab to the Suez/Sumed complex.

Bab el-Mandab is 18 miles wide at its narrowest point, making tanker traffic difficult and limited to two 2-mile-wide channels for inbound and outbound shipments. Closure of the Strait could keep tankers from the Persian Gulf from reaching the Suez Canal or Sumed Pipeline, diverting them around the southern tip of Africa. This would effectively engage spare tanker capacity, and add to transit time and cost.

The Strait of Bab el-Mandab could be bypassed through the East-West oil pipeline, which crosses Saudi Arabia with a 4.8 million bbl/d capacity. However, southbound oil traffic would still be blocked. In addition, closure of the Bab el-Mandab would block non-oil shipping from using the Suez Canal, except for limited trade within the Red Sea region. Security remains a concern of foreign firms doing business in the region.

—EIA

Piracy attacks (red) and attempted attacks (yellow) in the Gulf of Aden region. Click to enlarge.

Three vessels were hijacked in the Gulf of Aden a twelve hour period on 20 August. Two bulk carriers and a chemical tanker were seized by pirates and are currently heading for pirate bases on the Somali East coast. In an attack on 19 August another tanker and her 28 crew were hijacked and taken to Somali waters. Attempts to contact the vessel have been unsuccessful.

In all cases incidents were reported to the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) via other vessels that received its distress call. The reports were promptly passed over to coalition naval vessels and the authorities in neighboring countries.

This follows on from the attack which took place on 12 August 2008, when a general cargo ship was hijacked whilst underway in the busy shipping lane. The vessel was taken to Somali waters and anchored near the South Puntland border. Demands for a payment of ransom for the return of the 28 crew and the vessel have been made.

In addition to this most recent activity there have been four further hijackings since the beginning of June, one of which has been successful. Three more vessels have also been fired upon since that time.

The situation in this region is extremely serious. We have not seen such a surge in pirate activity in this area previously. These pirates are not afraid to use significant firepower in attempts to bring vessels under their control. Over 260 seafarers have been taken hostage in Somalia this year. Unless further action is taken, seafarers remain in serious danger whilst navigating the Gulf of Aden.

—IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan

In all reported instances, vessels have been approached by speedboats containing men armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers. In their attempts to slow down and board the vessels, the pirates have opened fire against the unarmed merchant ships.

Whilst the intervention of coalition navies has helped in isolated cases, it is by no means a long-term solution. It is clear that the threat or presence of coalition navies has done little to stem the tide of attacks in this region.

—Pottengal Mukundan

Somalia, without a central government since 1991, does not have the capacity to interdict pirates or patrol its coastline. Recently, in 2007, there was a spate of attacks off the Horn of Africa, where it is understood that pirates were using a mother-ship from which to launch attacks on vessels up to 200 nm off the coast. In 2008 it would appear that the pirate gangs are operating more off the northern coast in the Gulf of Aden where there is a greater proximity to shore and quick access to the many vessels passing south through the Suez canal.