PIRACY WEEKLY NEWS

Piracy prone areas and warnings

S E Asia and the Indian Sub Continent

* Bangladesh : Chittagong anchorages and approaches – Though the number of attacks have fallen the area is still listed as very high risk.

* Indonesia : Balongan, Balikpapan, Belawan, Tanjong Priok (Jakarta). Generally be vigilant in other areas. Many attacks may have gone unreported.

* Malacca straits : Though attacks have decreased due to increased patrolling by the Littoral States, ships advised to maintain strict anti piracy watches when transiting the area.

* Singapore Straits* Vietnam: Vung Tau
Africa and Red Sea

* Lagos (Nigeria): Crew kidnapped and robbed. Generally be vigilant in other areas in Nigeria.

* Dar es Salaam (Tanzania): Sixteen incidents reported since 5 June 2006. Pirates targeting ships in port and anchorages

* Gulf of Aden / Red Sea : Numerous pirate attacks have been reported by ships and yachts in the Gulf of Aden. Some of the vessels were fired upon.

* Somalian waters : Piracy has made a come back in Somalia.

Pirates fire automatic weapons and on one occasion, a rocket-propelled grenade was fired force the ship to stop.

Eastern and North eastern coasts are high risk areas for attacks and hijackings. Ships not making scheduled calls to ports in Somalia should keep as far away as possible from the Somali coast, ideally more than 200 nautical miles.

South and Central America and the Caribbean waters

* Brazil - Santos

* Peru – Callao