1. Reference: This advisory updates and supersedes U.S. Maritime Advisory 2017-005.

2. Issue: Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom continues to serve as a significant threat to U.S. flagged operators with vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

3. Almost 100 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea occurred in the GoG region in 2017. Kidnappings for ransom (KFR), attacks, and boardings to steal valuables from the ships and crews are the most common types of incidents. While there were 29 kidnapping incidents in 2017, no tankers were hijacked for cargo theft (refined petroleum products) during this period. U.S. flagged operators with ships operating in or through the GoG Voluntary Reporting Area designated on Maritime Security Chart Q6114 at http://www.shipping.nato.int/nsc/media-centre/downloads/maritime-security-charts.aspx should transit with extreme caution and vigilance.

4. Most KFR operations in the GoG occur around the Niger Delta with vessels (tankers, tugs, offshore supply vessels, and cargo vessels) frequently being targeted due to their high value foreign crewmembers. Motherships have been used to support operations up to 150 nautical miles offshore. Criminals/armed KFR groups have been known to fire upon targeted vessels prior to attempting to board them. KFR groups generally kidnap two to six high value crewmembers to include the master, chief engineer, and any Western crewmembers. Kidnapped crewmembers are normally taken ashore in the Niger Delta region where KFR groups demand ransom payments in exchange for the safe return of the crewmembers.

5. Guidance: Additional information on this threat, including specific recommendations for vessels transiting the area, is available on the NATO Shipping Centre website at: http://www.shipping.nato.int/nsc/operations/global-maritime-risk/west-africagulf-of-guinea.aspx. U.S. flag vessels anchoring, transiting or operating in this region must comply with their U.S. Coast Guard approved Vessel Security Plans.

6. A Ship Hostile Action Report (SHAR) should be sent to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), in accordance with Pub 117, at the Submit Report link at http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal as soon as possible following an incident or suspected activity (including apparent surveillance being conducted by small vessels/boats).

7. Mariners operating near this area are also advised to consult the Department of State Travel Warnings for this area at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html.

8. Contact Information: The Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade-Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG) is operated by the navies of France and the United Kingdom. This center receives reports, shares important updates, provides guidance on vessel operating patterns, and reviews security risks with the Gulf of Guinea maritime community. Note that MDAT-GOG does not coordinate responses to vessels under attack. MDAT-GoG can be contacted via email at: watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org or telephone at +33(0)2 98 22 88 88. For any questions about this advisory, contact the MARAD Office of Maritime Security at: MaradSecurity@dot.gov. Supplemental information may also be found on the MARAD Office of Maritime Security website at: https://www.marad.dot.gov/environment-and-safety/office-of-security/.

9. Cancellation of Prior Advisories: This message cancels U.S. Maritime Advisory 2017-005.

10. This Advisory will automatically expire on July 24, 2018.