Loss Prevention Advice
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A loss prevention bulletin addressing the issue of cargo contamination claims and highlights best practices on sampling procedures.
According to West, cargo contamination claims are a major risk for tanker operators, often resulting in expensive disputes. Properly taken, sealed, and stored samples are essential to prove cargo quality at the time of loading. As tanker cargoes are loaded through closed systems, pre-loading inspection is not possible. Samples are the shipowner’s main defence in off-spec claims as they provide critical evidence to identify when and where contamination occurred, reducing claim costs and response time.
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In its latest weekly advisory has highlighted several critical developments impacting commercial shipping and maritime operations worldwide.
Despite a reported 60% increase in marine traffic, reaching 36–37 ships daily, the Red Sea remains a high-risk corridor. The U.S.-Houthi ceasefire and the Houthis stated focus on Israeli-linked vessels have not alleviated overall concerns.
Furthermore, many shipping companies continue to reroute around southern Africa, driven by persistent geopolitical instability and record-high war risk insurance premiums (still at 0.75–1% of hull values). Notably, attacks by the Houthis from late 2023 through 2024, as well as ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Yemen, underscore the region’s volatility.
The EU’s Aspides naval mission has prevented attacks since December 2024 however its limited capacity (just 2–3 escort ships) and delays of up to a week hamper broader maritime safety.
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The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published its Monthly Piracy Report for the month of April 2025.
Fifteen acts of piracy and armed robbery were attempted against ships during the month of April 2025 and reported by Member States or international organizations in consultative status. Some of the incidents include:
- Sea Panther (Product tanker, Marshall Islands)
The incident: Six pirates armed with guns boarded the tanker underway. Master commenced evasive manoeuvres. Alarm raised, PA announcement made, and all crew members retreated into the citadel. The pirates escaped after a few hours with stolen crew’s and ship’s properties. All crew are reported safe.
Response: Nigeria PRC relayed the message to Nigerian Navy HQ & MRCC Lagos. (IMBKL)
Location: West Africa – Around 114nm SW of Brass, Nigeria Nigeria 03° 03.00′ N 004° 48.29′ E
- Century Royal (Bulk carrier, Panama)
The incident: Armed individuals boarded the drifting ship. They assaulted a crew member with a gun. The other crew retreated into their cabins and the engine room. The assailants then abducted two crew members and escaped.
Response: The incident was reported to the Haitian coast guard. Haiti PRC relayed the message to Police Nationale d’Haiti (PNH) & JRCC Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (IMBKL)
Location: South America – Around 6nm West of Port Au Prince, Haiti Haiti 18° 34.68′ N 072° 27.15′ W
- SITC Yuncheng (Container ship, Hong Kong, China)
The incident: While underway, the Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) informed Singapore Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) that a sampan was following the ship. Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) alerted the ship immediately. The master subsequently confirmed that three perpetrators with knives boarded the ship via starboard side quarter on the main deck. The alarm was raised and crew mustered to conduct a security search to locate the perpetrators. The perpetrators stole some lashing gears, and jumped overboard and escaped. All crew members were accounted for, with no injury reported.
Response: Safety broadcast on anti-piracy watch was initiated to warn all vessels to maintain a vigilant watch at all times in the Singapore Strait (SS). The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore PCG was notified of the incident. Information of the incident was shared with the Indonesian authorities.
Location: Malacca Strait – Approximately 4.4 nm off Batu Berhanti Racon B (Indonesia), in the eastbound lane of the TSS Indonesia 01° 09.93′ N 103° 48.72′ E
- Hafnia Hong Kong (Oil tanker, Malta)
The incident: While underway, three perpetrators were sighted at the poop deck. The master immediately raised the alarm and the perpetrators escaped from the ship. The crew mustered for safety and subsequently conducted a search onboard with no further sighting of perpetrators. One air compressor and four padlocks were stolen. The crew was not injured.
Response: The incident was reported to Singapore VTIS. Safety broadcast on anti-piracy watch was initiated to warn all vessels to maintain a vigilant watch at all times in the SS. The RSN’s MSTF and Singapore PCG were notified of the incident. Singapore PCG boarded the ship upon her arrival in port of Singapore and conducted a search with no perpetrator found. Information of the incident was shared with the Indonesian authorities.
Location: Malacca Strait – Approximately 4 nm off Pulau Karimun Kecil (Indonesia), in the precautionary area of the TSS Indonesia 01° 08.98′ N 103° 28.39′ E
- MSC Tara III (Container ship, Liberia)
The incident: While underway, three perpetrators were sighted at the upper deck. A crew member ran away after seeing a perpetrator carrying a gun-like object. The master raised the general alarm immediately, mustered the crew for safety and conducted a search onboard. All crew members were accounted for with no injuries reported. Nothing was stolen.
Response: The incident was reported to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) via VHF. Safety broadcasts on anti-piracy watch were initiated to warn all vessels to maintain a vigilant watch at all times in the Singapore Strait (SS). The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) were notified of the incident. Singapore PCG boarded the ship upon her arrival in Singapore. Information of the incident was shared with the Indonesian authorities.
Location: Malacca strait- Approximately 5.6 nm off Pulau Cula (Indonesia), in the eastbound lane of the TSS Indonesia 01° 03.20′ N 103° 37.13′ E
- Jin Hwa 49/Jin Hwa 39 (Tug, Malaysia)
The incident: During a routine inspection crew noticed barge properties missing.
Response: The Incident reported to local police. Singapore PRC relayed the message to Singapore Police Coast Guard & Indonesian Marine Police HQ. (IMBKL).
Location: Malacca Strait – 9373981 Singapore 01° 09.96′ N
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Marine traffic through the Red Sea has increased by 60% to about 36–37 ships per day since August 2024.
This rise follows a sharp decline in vessel movements due to Houthi attacks, which began in November 2023 in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. At the height of the crisis, daily traffic had dropped to just 20–23 ships, far below the pre-conflict average of 72–75 ships per day.
The recent recovery in shipping activity to a reduction in missile and drone attacks, along with a ceasefire agreement between the Houthis and the United States. However, he emphasized that volumes remain below normal, and some shipping companies remain wary of using the route due to limited naval escort capacity.
The Houthis have since narrowed their targeting criteria, now focusing only on vessels with Israeli ties or those that have docked in Israeli ports.