Austal’s Post

South China Sea tensions escalate as Manila expands air patrols #bne #bneEditorsPicks #China #Phillipines #SouthChinaSea Rising tensions in the South China Sea have intensified following the Philippines' increased air patrols and airdrop operations near contested reefs, according to a recent alert from the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI). The Beijing-based think tank has cautioned against the growing risks associated with these aerial activities, highlighting the potential for severe consequences if the situation deteriorates further, as reported by SCMP. The SCSPI’s latest report underscores the growing anxiety in Beijing over what it perceives as provocative actions by Manila. According to the think tank, the Philippines has adopted air incursions as a new tactic in its maritime strategy, further complicating an already volatile situation. The think tank's article, shared on WeChat, claims that the escalation into aerial confrontations presents risks that far surpass those encountered at sea, potentially leading to incidents more severe than maritime collisions.

🚨 Maritime Security Update: Red Sea Alert Earlier today at 11:10 UTC, a concerning incident was reported in the Red Sea, approximately 95 nautical miles northeast of Massawa, Eritrea. A small boat carrying armed individuals was observed operating dangerously close to a coastal freighter. Advice for Mariners: Exercise extreme caution while transiting these waters. Maintain maximum CPA (Closest Point of Approach) with any vessels that appear suspicious. Regularly review and implement the Best Management Practices (BMPs) suitable for this operational environment to enhance safety and security. Stay vigilant and ensure the safety of your crew and vessels in this region. #MaritimeSecurity #RedSeaSafety #MaritimeOperations #SailingSafety

News: China launches air, sea patrols near flashpoint reef as US holds joint drills #ecwinnewsonline #ecwin #newstoday #breakingnews #bbcnews #balita #worldnews #livenews #livenews #dailynews #newsoftoday #fyp #trending #fbnews

Maritime Security Bulletin and Advisory   Re: South African Coastal Authorities (SAMSA) Has Issued a Navigational Warning Due to Floating Shipping Containers ( 29 Nautical Miles Northeast of Port St. Johns) Issued by Sanborn Analytics   Date: September 4th, 2024  Contact Information:   - Email: outreach@sanbornanalytics.us   - Phone: +1 (617) 539-6114  Sanborn Analytics issues this maritime security bulletin and advisory to inform the maritime shipping community and armed naval forces at sea of a South African navigation warning. Incident Overview:    On August 30th, 2024 The Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC Antonia encountered severe weather conditions while transiting the Indian Ocean corridor. This incident resulted in the loss of 46 containers overboard and the damage of another 305 containers. The severe weather struck approximately 29 nautical miles northeast of Port St. Johns while the vessel was en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to New York, USA. In response, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has issued a navigation warning to all vessels operating in the affected area to exercise caution and to report any sightings of lost containers that may pose a hazard to navigation. The MSC Antonia arrived at Cape Town, South Africa, on August 30th, 2024, for a full assessment and necessary repairs. The vessel is expected to remain at the port for the foreseeable future while further inspections are carried out. Advisory for Maritime Vessels:    - All vessels transiting near the area of the incident are advised to remain vigilant and adjust their course as necessary to avoid the hazards posed by the lost containers.  - Maritime authorities recommend that vessels traveling through this section of the Indian Ocean corridor communicate with SAMSA and the nearest port authorities to stay updated on navigation warnings.  - Naval forces and maritime patrols are requested to maintain surveillance in the area to locate and recover any floating containers that may endanger other vessels. Media Credit:    Information sourced from Maritime Executive (see link).  #maritimesecurity #southafrica #samsa https://lnkd.in/eGjqtWsD

Maritime Security Bulletin and Advisory Re: Human Smuggler Shoots at Greek Coast Guard Issued by: Sanborn Analytics   Contact: outreach@sanbornanalytics.us   Phone: (+1)(617)539-6114   Media Credit: ABC News (see link)  --- Date: July 5th, 2024 Incident Overview: On July 5th, 2024, the crew of a Greek Coast Guard patrol boat engaged in an exchange of gunfire with a man piloting a speedboat near the eastern Aegean Sea island of Chios. The speedboat was attempting to smuggle migrants from neighboring Turkey to a Greek island. The incident occurred without any reported injuries. According to the Coast Guard statement, the smuggling vessel returned to the Turkish shore following the exchange. The individual steering the speedboat fired upon the patrol vessel with a handgun, prompting the Coast Guard crew to respond with shots in a "secure sector." Further details on the incident were not provided. --- Maritime Security Advisory: To: Maritime Shipping Community and Armed Naval Forces at Sea Advisory: 1. Increased Vigilance: Maintain heightened awareness and readiness, particularly in the eastern Aegean Sea region, where smuggling activities and hostile encounters may occur.    2. Safety Protocols: Ensure all crew members are familiar with emergency procedures and protocols for dealing with hostile engagements. Regular drills and briefings are recommended. 3. Communication: Establish clear lines of communication with nearby vessels and coastal authorities. Report any suspicious activities or encounters immediately. 4. Risk Assessment: Conduct thorough risk assessments for routes near the Turkish-Greek maritime border. Consider alternative routes where possible to minimize exposure to high-risk areas. 5. Coordination: Coordinate with local and international maritime security agencies to share intelligence and receive updates on potential threats. Recommendations: - Avoidance of known smuggling routes where possible. - Increased patrols and surveillance in high-risk areas. - Cooperation with local coast guard and naval forces for timely response to incidents. --- Stay safe and vigilant. Sanborn Analytics --- #maritimesecurity #greece #homelandsecurity https://lnkd.in/eF8uMPC6

How many US flagged vessels in the region? I doubt very few, if any There are very few US flagged vsls in the merchant marine, most vsls are flags of convenience.

On this special day, let’s acknowledge the dedication and resilience of the Indian Coast Guard. Their vigilance and valor are the pillars of our maritime strength. #IndianCoastGuardDay #SaiLabInstruments #processengineering #processsafety #processdevelopment

I don't do many videos but, as a captain in the US Merchant Marine, I am deeply frustrated. gCaptain has received reports that the French Navy is dropping out of the US lead Operation Prosperity Guardian over a dispute about which ships get escort priority. Marine traffic reports show they are already escorting some French-owned merchant ships through while about 6 US Flag ships remain stranded - without adequate US Naval protection - within range of Houthi missiles. The safety of US-flagged ships, particularly those stranded with military cargo near the Red Sea, is of immediate concern. The lack of adequate military protection has left these vessels vulnerable, as evidenced by the recent rocket attack on a US-flagged tanker delivering explosive cargo to Israel. This situation raises serious questions about our commitment to safeguarding our maritime assets. This lack of priority for US-flagged ships is historical. Since the founding of the republic, the US Navy has been the protector of the US Merchant Marine, a responsibility deeply embedded in our national defense strategy. I urge our leaders, including Cabinet Secretary Pete Buttigieg, to address this situation with the urgency and seriousness it warrants. Our maritime security is not just a matter of national pride; it is a cornerstone of our national defense and economic stability. The time for action is now. The United States military must reaffirm its commitment to protecting US Merchant Marine sailors and ensure that our naval strategy is in line with the evolving challenges of today's geopolitical landscape. https://lnkd.in/gj5FAr-s

#RedSea to #raise #prices of Far East imports! Since the hijacking of car carrier the Galaxy Leader by Houthi militia on 19 November, of which all 25 crew remain held hostage, attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea have become increasingly frequent. Some companies have started to reroute vessels via the Cape of Good Hope and top container lines MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd have all paused their ships from transiting the Red Sea. Container ships bound for Israel from the Far East will now need to take a 40 percent longer route around Africa and the Cape of Good Hope, increasing the shipping time of goods by two to four weeks and raising the costs per ship by up to $1 million. More - https://lnkd.in/gb9FQqNz https://lnkd.in/gF5ipEWr