Spanish Counter Piracy Patrol Vessel to Join EU Naval Force

  As of 1st September 2012 the EU’s counter piracy task force (EUNAVFOR) will be augmented by the addition of the offshore patrol vessel RELAMPAGO of the Spanish Navy. The RELAMPAGO, a member of Spains newest BAM class of warships, is a high performance, modular vessel capable of being adapted to a number of roles…

IAPA president asks Vietnam to support negotiation of South China Sea

  REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia asks Vietnam, as Country Coordinator ASEAN-China, to be actively involved in resolving the conflict of South China Sea. Vietnam should encourage every party to conduct constructive, effective, and strategic consultation and negotiation. “With such steps, the conflict in South China Sea can be solved in peace without using military power,” Speaker…

Pirated Tankship Freed by Nigerian Navy

  Pirates fled from 51,000 DWT tankship ‘Abu Dhabi Star’ after crew took refuge in ‘citadel’ while Nigerian Navy intervened. The Singapore-flagged product tanker ‘Abu Dhabi Star’ is operated by Pioneer Ship Management Services, and the attack occurred whilst the tanker was drifting approximately 14 miles off the port of Lagos. Reportedly the crew took…

IMB Notes Increase in Piracy Off West Africa

  The ICC International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB-PRC) has recorded a spike in activity off the coast of West Africa. Since 18 August 2012, three vessels have been hijacked by pirates in this region. These recent attacks are notable as they have all been against tankers, with the purpose of stealing the valuable…