Loss Prevention Advice
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A rise in alleged smuggling cases in Togo involving vessels exchanging goods with local fishermen, warning that such activity may be interpreted as a serious Customs infringement with severe consequences.
According to local correspondent Budd Group, undeclared transfers or bartering with local fishermen in Togolese waters can result in substantial Customs fines, vessel detention and imprisonment of crew members. Recent cases have involved fines ranging from €120,000 to €400,000, while crew members have been imprisoned for between three months and three years.
Under the Togolese Customs Code, goods or materials cannot be discharged or transferred without prior written authorisation from Customs. Unauthorized exchanges, including sludge barrels, bottled water, scrap metal, old ropes or small quantities of fuel for seafood, cigarettes or SIM cards, are categorized as undeclared import or smuggling.
Fines can be calculated based on both the goods exchanged and the financial value of the transport involved, including the full market value of the vessel.
Budd Group reported a recent case involving an ocean-going vessel at Lomé anchorage that transferred 35 cans of fuel residue, approximately 875 liters, to a local pirogue in exchange for fish, cigarettes and SIM cards.
The incident resulted in criminal sanctions of one to three years’ imprisonment for crew members involved and a calculated financial penalty exceeding XOF 84.6 billion, approximately €129 million, based on quadruple the combined value of the fuel, Customs duties and estimated market value of the vessel.
Key recommendations
- Operators have to make sure the Master and crew are fully aware of this issue before calling at ports in Togo, and to ensure that they do not engage in any form of item exchange with local craft at anchorage.
- The correspondent also recommends keeping all unauthorised local craft away from the vessel. In case of any unauthorised approaches, to log, photograph and report the craft to harbour authorities and local agents immediately.
- If approached by Togolese Customs or presented with a Procès-Verbal (PV), contact the Insures and the local correspondent for assistance before signing any official documentation.
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Below you will find a weekly report dated 2 September 2026, covering the period of 20 to 26 August, where the following incidents were reported:
- 0 maritime security incidents in West Africa in the last 7 days
- 4 maritime security incidents in the Indian Ocean/Middle East in the last 7 days
- 0 Somalia-based piracy incident reported in the last 7 days.
Full advisory at the following link.
https://britanniapandi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ARC-Weekly-Report-02.09.26_Redacted.pdf
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On August 24, 2026, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued an updated alert concerning the sanctions risks associated with Iranian demands for “toll” payments or other requirements for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. On the same date, OFAC issued a determination expanding the application of Executive Order 13902 to the shipping, aviation, digital asset, gold and technology sectors of the Iranian economy.
Key Takeaways for Members: • Strait of Hormuz passage: U.S. and non-U.S. persons face significant sanctions exposure if they deal with the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Company (PGMIC), or HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority (Hormuz Safe).
- Safe Passage payments: OFAC warns that sanctions exposure may arise from payments or other forms of value provided in connection with safe passage, including currency, digital assets, offsets, government-to-government arrangements, informal swaps and certain in-kind or purported charitable payments, especially in relation to any one of the above entities. • Insurance and Services: The sanctions risks are not limited to payments. Accepting insurance, other services, or responding to information requests or guarantees concerning safe passage from designated Iranian entities may also result in sanctions exposure. • Enhanced due diligence: Maritime service providers continue to be strongly encouraged to conduct enhanced due diligence on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, including reviewing voyage arrangements, Iranian territorial-water transits, counterparties, safe passage fees and any services or insurance obtained from Iran.
Full advisory at the following link.
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Over the past week, 25-31 August, two incidents of piracy or armed robbery against ships in Asia.
Two CAT 4 incidents of armed robbery against ships2 in Asia were. One incident occurred onboard a bulk carrier while at anchor at southwest of Vung Tau Light House, Vietnam on 23 August 2026.
The other incident occurred onboard a bulk carrier while loading goods at Lubuk Gaung Port, Indonesia on 24 August 2026. The crew were not injured in both incidents despite some ship stores and spare parts of generator were stolen.
Area of concern
The ships shall to continue to intensify vigilance, maintain a sharp look-out while anchoring or transiting areas of concern, including the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and report all incidents to the law enforcement agencies immediately. The littoral States are advised to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.