MSB 13/2025 - Possible Resurgence of Piracy Activity in the Somali Basin and the Gulf of Guinea

Subject: Possible Resurgence of Piracy Activity in the Somali Basin and the Gulf of Guinea

Reference: (a) Best Management Practices for Maritime Security (BMPMS)

1. Marine Security Advisory 03/2023
2. Best Management Practices West Africa

Dear Owners/Operators/Company Security Officers/Masters:

Recent events show there is evidence supporting a possible resurgence of piracy activity around Somalia, the Somali Basin as well as West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. In an effort to prevent further incidents and possible danger to crewmembers and vessels, the Registry strongly recommends masters, operators and shipowners to continue to follow the methods put forth in the Best Management Practices for Maritime Security (BMPMS) regarding defending against piracy attempts to include considering the use of private maritime security companies onboard the vessels.

The Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) for vessels operating in the Indian Ocean region and administered by UKMTO has not changed. Ships entering the VRA are encouraged to report to the UKMTO and register with the Maritime Security Centre for the Indian Ocean (MSCIO) in accordance with industry BMP (Best Management Practices). When operating within territorial seas or calling ports within the previously defined HRA as shown on UKHO Chart Q6099, Masters shall set the vessel security level to the level set by the port State authority but may implement security measures in excess of the security level set by the port authorities based on their assessment of the conditions in the port. When operating outside territorial seas or ports within the previously defined HRA shown on UKHO chart Q6099, all Liberian flagged vessels shall operate at security level II. All security level changes should be reported directly to the Flag Administration by the Master via email security@liscr.com.

All Owners, operators and Masters of Liberian flagged ships operating in or through the Gulf of Guinea Voluntary Reporting Area should transit with extreme caution and vigilance. For the security of human life at sea, when transiting the Gulf of Guinea and the waters near West Africa including coastal areas of the thirteen countries1 listed on the IMB report, all Liberian flagged vessels shall operate at security level II, continue to implement procedures in their approved Ship Security plan and be on the lookout for possible sightings of vessels engaged in piracy, or suspected to have engaged in piracy activities.

Owners, operators and Masters are urged to register with Maritime Domain Awareness for TradeGulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG) upon their vessel entering its voluntary reporting area and to report suspicious activity and incidents of piracy and armed robbery in a timely manner by contacting the MDAT-GoG by phone at +33 (02) 98 22 88 88, or by email to watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org.

All details for registration and reporting when operating in the Gulf of Guinea Voluntary Reporting Area are contained on UKHO security chart Q 6114 and CS Carte de sûreté maritime 8801. As further, Owners, operators and Masters are encouraged to visit the new MDATGoG website at https://gog-mdat.org for more information.

Best Management Practices MS bmp-ms-2025-final-low-res.pdf) will continue to provide the necessary guidance for shipping to ensure threat and risk assessments are developed for every voyage to mitigate the risks presented by remaining security threats in the region. The shipping industry will continue to monitor and advise on maritime security threats to assist the safe transit of vessels and the seafarers.

The Liberian Administration strongly recommends that Vessels Owners, Characters, Operators and Ships Masters continue to carry out pre-voyage threat and risk assessments to consider the latest maritime security information from organizations supporting the VRA, including use of privately contracted security personnel, as deemed necessary.

Owners, operators and Masters of vessels operating in the Gulf of Guinea are urged to also report incidents of piracy and armed robbery or threats thereof and suspicious activity to:

1. the nearest RCC,
2. (ii) the flag State – Email: security@liscr.com; Phone: + 1 703 251-2490, ask for Maritime Security; AOH Phone: + 1 703 963 6216 to contact the Duty Officer; AOH Email:

dutyofficer@liscr.com

1. (iii) the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre - by phone +60 3 2031 0014 or by email to:

imbkl@icc- ccs.org.

Contact MSCIO prior to transiting the Western Indian Ocean, Somali Basin, Gulf of Aden Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea:

The Contact details for MSCIO are:

Maritime Security Centre – Indian Ocean (MSCIO)

Email: postmaster@mscio.eu

Telephone +33 (0) 298 220 220 / +33 (0) 298 220 170

Fax: +44 1923 958520

Website: www.ukmto.org

When transiting these waters, register your vessel with UKMTO:

Email: watchkeepers@ukmto.org

Phone: 2392-222060 / +971-50-552-3215

Fax: +44 1923958520

Please keep LISCR’s Security Department informed of any security incidents at:

Office of the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs

Republic of Liberia

22980 Indian Creek Drive, Suite 200, Dulles, Virginia 20166 USA

D: +1 571 495 5944 / O: +1 703 790 3434 / F: +1 703 790 5655

Email: Security@liscr.com www.liscr.com

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