cameroon - Transportation - Red Sky Alliance2024-03-28T22:32:56Zhttps://redskyalliance.org/transportation/feed/tag/cameroonM/T Happy Lady Crew Kidnappedhttps://redskyalliance.org/transportation/m-t-happy-lady-crew-kidnapped2019-12-31T15:15:06.000Z2019-12-31T15:15:06.000ZBill Schenkelberghttps://redskyalliance.org/members/BillSchenkelberg<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3772879530,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3772879530,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="274" height="69" alt="3772879530?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>Channel 16 report, 31 December 2019</p>
<p>Our friends and colleagues at Dryad Global are reporting the M/T HAPPY LADY, that while at anchor at the Limboh Terminal Anchorage, Cameroon, came under attack and was boarded by pirates. It is reported that 8 crew have been kidnapped from the vessel with one individual believed to have been wounded in the incident.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3795453333,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3795453333,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="239" height="159" alt="3795453333?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>As of 31 December 2019 details remain unclear, yet Dryad Global assesses that within this incident 5 Greek nationals, 2 Filipino and 1 Ukranian have been kidnapped. This incident is the latest kidnapping incident within the Gulf of Guinea since the kidnap of 2 personnel from a container vessel RENOVATION at the Douala anchorage on 22nd Dec 19.</p>
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<p>This incident demonstrates another incident in the recent escaltion of maritime incidents throughout December 2019, bringing the total number of kidnapped crew members within the Gulf of Guinea in December up to 57. The rapid increase in incidents is believed to be perpetuated in part by a confluence of factors including favorable conditions and reinforced successes. Lengthy turn around times at terminal locations present considerable security challenges for vessels seeking to reduce exposure to the risk of incident. In addition to this, a lack of coherent and coordinated security response means that pirates are able to operate between national maritime boundaries without restriction.</p>
<p>It is assessed that there are multiple pirate groups operating throughout the region, with a high degree of efficiency and confidence. This latest incident was 144nm east from an attack on a container vessel south of Bonny on the 30 December 2019 during which the attack failed as a result of an embarked security team. While a significant distance away, it is a realistic possibility that the latest attack was conducted by the same pirate group seeking to target vessels operating in an area with less security infrastructure and subsequently increased opportunity.</p>
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<p> </p></div>Gulf of Guinea Piracyhttps://redskyalliance.org/transportation/gulf-of-guinea-piracy2019-10-01T19:18:56.000Z2019-10-01T19:18:56.000ZBill Schenkelberghttps://redskyalliance.org/members/BillSchenkelberg<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3639581934,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3639581934,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="331" height="314" alt="3639581934?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas, Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff, stated recently that Nigeria and 15 other countries in the Gulf of Guinea waters are losing approximately $2 billion to pirate attacks. This announcement comes on the heels of an International Maritime Bureau (IMB) report that explained Nigeria was rated tops in Gulf of Guinea pirate attacks. Nigerian additionally loses several millions of dollars to illegal fishing and poaching on its coastal and territorial waters. This announcement was presented at a recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), in Lagos Nigeria.<a href="#_ftn1">[1]</a> </p>
<p>The Nigerian Navy said that apart from the piracy issues, which has been a long problem in the Gulf of Guinea, there are other emerging security threats such as sabotage of oil and gas infrastructure and marine resource theft, as well as other international organized crimes that are being tracked and analyzed. He also emphasized that the security threats keep evolving from traditional to conventional warfare. Cyber threats also rank high, as the Nigerian cybercriminal network has become quite proficient in their trade.</p>
<p>Admiral Ibas stated, “The maritime domain has been under threat by piracy, sea robbery, illicit trafficking, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing and marine pollution. Now we have emerging security threats within the Nigerian maritime domain that stem largely from non-military causes such as socio-economic agitations and a large army of unemployed and under-employed youths in the coastal communities, whose activities manifest through attacks on shipping.</p>
<p>There are estimates that the annual cost of piracy to the Gulf of Guinea region is over $2 billion especially in the maritime domain of Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria. The frequent attacks by quite diverse interests, across the vast maritime domain, has continued to give cause for concerns. The IMB ranks the Gulf of Guinea as one of the most dangerous global waterways, after the Gulf of Aden. In 2018, Nigeria were hit with 48 actual and attempted piracy attacks, up from 33 from 2017. Nigeria is again ranked highest Gulf of Guinea country for reported incidents, with about 21 attacks out of 77 reported globally.<a href="#_ftn2">[2]</a></p>
<p>Ibas noted that its maritime space has tremendous economic potentials due to its rich hydrocarbon deposit, fishery, natural resources, and several port facilities. He believes, if well harnessed, these resources can improve the livelihood of the nation’s population. Nigeria has long struggled with internal corruption and exploitation of its natural resources. </p>
<p>Nigeria is losing $600 million annually to illegal and unreported fishing by foreign vessels. These analysts believe is a direct result of lack of basic maritime equipment such as Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). These are basic technology required for an effective maritime domain awareness and patrol programs. </p>
<p>Wapack Labs has long tracked Nigerian hackers under a program titled, the “Daily Show.” We are currently tracking a Nigerian hacker using the handle: UnknownCrypter. This individual is the author of WSH RAT, a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) which is a JavaScript rewrite of the Visual Basic Script (VBS) RAT utilized by FudCrypt malware. WSH RAT’s website wshsoftware.site and FudCrypt.com both display the same registrant in their WHOIS records and has a listed owner of a second individual, UnknownCrypt. UnknownCrypt is likely a separate individual, who borrowed FudCrypt’s hacking tools, business model and started to sell the tool after changing a code comment crediting the author to himself and calling it WSH RAT.<a href="#_ftn3">[3]</a> These are just two recent examples of Nigerians working in tandem and applying their malicious cyber trade to attack unsuspecting victims, often in the sectors described above. </p>
<p>Wapack Labs is located in New Boston, NH. We are a Cyber Threat Analysis and Intelligence Service organization. For questions, comments or assistance, please contact the lab directly at 1-844-492-7225, or <a href="mailto:feedback@wapacklabs.com">feedback@wapacklabs.com</a></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref1">[1]</a> <a href="https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/09/30/nigeria-others-lose-2bn-to-pirates-attacks-annually-says-naval-chief/">https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/09/30/nigeria-others-lose-2bn-to-pirates-attacks-annually-says-naval-chief/</a></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref2">[2]</a> <a href="https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1129132/Piracy-problem-is-a-threat-to-Nigerias-maritime-economy">https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1129132/Piracy-problem-is-a-threat-to-Nigerias-maritime-economy</a></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref3">[3]</a> Wapack Labs report: IR-19-273-001</p></div>Cameroon Piracyhttps://redskyalliance.org/transportation/cameroon-piracy2019-08-16T16:53:20.000Z2019-08-16T16:53:20.000ZBill Schenkelberghttps://redskyalliance.org/members/BillSchenkelberg<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3429780605,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3429780605,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="304" height="203" alt="3429780605?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>Maritime reporting<a href="#_ftn1">[1]</a> indicates that merchant vessels M/V VICTORY C and M/V MARMALAITA have been illegally boarded when anchored at the entry of Wouri River, Douala, Cameroon. As of 15 August 2019, the number of perpetrators is unknown, however reporting suggests all were armed with AK47 rifles. A distress signal was sent from one of the two vessels. It is believed that a Cameroonian Naval vessel responded to the scene to support the vessels under attack. On arrival at the scene it was discovered that a number of crew members were unaccounted for from both vessels. The missing sailors are presumed kidnapped. </p>
<p>Initially, Russian media is reporting that the Russian Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon said authorities and representatives of a ship owner are making steps to establish the circumstances of the incident. Russian diplomats are cooperating actively with competent Cameroonian agencies and ship owners to promote the urgent release of the Russian nationals," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. According to the ministry, on 15 August 2019, pirates attacked Dutch ship owner Ultrabulk's cargo vessel M/V MARMALAITA, sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, near Cameroon's Douala port. The ministry added, citing Marlow Navigation, a Russian company, that the pirates kidnapped eight crew members, including three Russian nationals.</p>
<p>Later reporting on 16 August 2019 explain that Nigerian pirates adbucted nine (9) Chinese and eight (8) Ukrainian seamen in attacks on the two merchant vessels indicated off Cameroon. A Cameroonian security official, likewise speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the account to French media. This event is still on going. </p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3429768183,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3429768183,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="398" height="265" alt="3429768183?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>Figure 1. M/V VICTORY C</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3429768709,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3429768709,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="398" height="201" alt="3429768709?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>Figure 2. VICTORY C location as of 15 August 2019, 1301 EST, MarineTraffic</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3429769381,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3429769381,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="396" height="203" alt="3429769381?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>Figure 3. Vessels off the coast of Cameroon</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3429770395,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3429770395,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="397" height="264" alt="3429770395?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>Figure 4. M/V Marmalaita</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3429771536,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3429771536,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="404" height="206" alt="3429771536?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>Figure 5. Location of M/V Marmalaita on 15 August 2019, 1308 EST, MarineTraffic</p>
<p>This incident demonstrates the perils of piracy within the maritime world. Pirates have become even more sophisticated and at times use cyber techniques to lure ships into dangerous waters, or may disable a ship in order to board a ship for theft, kidnapping or terroristic purposes. In fact, Iran (with Russian technological assistance) is currently suspected of GPS jamming/spoofing to lure targeted foreign flagged vessels into their waters for detention and political reasons.<a href="#_ftn2">[2]</a> </p>
<p>Wapack Labs provides its member with Vessel Impersonation Reports and Maritime Watch Lists that help marine companies all along the shipping supply chain. This to better protect their networks and avoid malicious cyber activity to prevent an event of piracy in ports or on the high seas. Wapack Labs is located in New Boston, NH. We are a Cyber Threat Analysis and Intelligence Service organization. For questions, comments or assistance, please contact the lab directly at 1-844-492-7225, or feedback@wapacklabs.com </p>
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<p><a href="#_ftnref1">[1]</a> Dryad Global</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref2">[2]</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-is-jamming-ship-gps-navigation-systems-to-seize-them-2019-8">https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-is-jamming-ship-gps-navigation-systems-to-seize-them-2019-8</a></p></div>