In November 2020, 11 incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia, according to ReCAAP ISC monthly report. With these incidents, the total number of incidents from January to November 2020 was 95 incidents, which represents an increase of 36% compared to the same period of 2019 (70 incidents).
The increase in January-November 2020 was due to the increase of incidents in Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, South China Sea and Singapore Strait.
Meanwhile, the situation in the Singapore Strait continues to be a concern with the occurrence of six incidents in November 2020 and a total of 34 incidents during January-November 2020.
Key figures – November 2020
- In November 2020, 11 incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia. All incidents were actual incidents. No attempted incident was reported.
- Of the 11 incidents, seven occurred onboard ships while underway (six in the Singapore Strait and one off Tawau, East Malaysia) and four onboard ships while at anchor (two incidents in Vietnam, one incident in Indonesia and one incident in Bangladesh).
- Of the 11 incidents, one was a CAT 2 incident, three were CAT 3 incidents and seven were CAT 4 incidents (where the perpetrators are not armed and crew not harmed).
The CAT 2 incident occurred onboard a fishing boat while underway off Inderasabah, Tawau, East Malaysia. Three perpetrators approached the fishing boat in a purple-striped white wooden boat. One of the perpetrators was seen carrying a weapon resembling a gun. The perpetrators took away a Yamaha 15HP Outboard Motor (OBM) and the crew’s personal belongings before they escaped.
Key figures – January-November 2020
- During January-November 2020, a total of 95 incidents (comprising 93 actual incidents and two attempted incidents) of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia.
- Of the 95 incidents, four were incidents of piracy and 91 were incidents of armed robbery against ships.
- Compared to January-November 2019, the total number of incidents reported during January-November 2020 increased by 36%. A total of 70 incidents (comprising 61 actual incidents and nine attempted incidents) were reported during January-November 2019.
- The number of incidents reported during January-November 2020 was the highest compared to the same period of 2016-2019.
- Of most concern is the increase of incidents in the Singapore Strait. A total of 34 incidents were reported in the Singapore Strait during January-November 2020 compared to 23 incidents during the same period in 2019.
- Of the 93 actual incidents reported during January-November 2020, one was a CAT 1 incident, four were CAT 2 incidents, 18 were CAT 3 incidents and 70 were CAT 4 incidents.
The increase of incidents during January-November 2020 occurred in Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, South China Sea and Singapore Strait:
-In Bangladesh, four incidents were reported during January-November 2020 compared to no incident during January-November 2019.
– In India, nine incidents were reported during January-November 2020 compared to four incidents during the same period in 2019.
– In the Philippines, 13 incidents were reported during January-November 2020 compared to five incidents during January-November 2019.
– In Vietnam, six incidents were reported during January-November 2020 compared to two incidents during the same period in 2019.
– In the South China Sea, four incidents of piracy were reported during January-November 2020 compared to one incident of piracy during January-November in 2019.
Singapore Strait
- In November 2020, six incidents (all actual incidents) were reported onboard ships while they were underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait.
- The number of incidents reported in November 2020 is the same as October 2020, and is the highest number of incidents reported in one month compared to the previous months of 2020 (January-September).
- In all six incidents, there was no confrontation between the perpetrators and the crew. Ship equipment, a life buoy and engine spares were reported stolen in three incidents, and nothing was stolen in the other three incidents.
- During January-November 2020, a total of 34 incidents (all actual incidents) were reported on ships while they were underway in the Singapore Strait.
- Of the 34 incidents, 30 incidents occurred in the eastbound lane of the TSS, two incidents in the precautionary area, one incident in the westbound lane of the TSS and one incident just outside (south) of the TSS. During January-November 2019, 23 incidents were reported.
- Concerned with the continued occurrence of incidents in the Singapore Strait, the ReCAAP ISC issued a Special Report on ”Incidents against ships in the Singapore Strait’ on 23 November to provide an insight of the incidents, modus operandi of the perpetrators and recommendations to the shipping industry and authorities of littoral States to address the situation collectively.
Recommendations
Due to the continued occurrence of incidents in the Singapore Strait, the ReCAAP ISC strongly urges the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in their respective waters, strengthen coordination among them and promote information sharing on incidents and criminal groups involved in order to make more arrests. While transiting the Singapore Strait, ship master and crew are strongly advised to proactively adopt the following measures:
- Maximise alertness of lookouts for suspicious small boats and increase watch keeping on board ships; particularly daylight time for barges and during night time for bigger ships;
- Maintain communication with shipping company by providing periodic updates and establish daily communication checks;
- Report all incidents, suspicious activities and presence of suspicious small boats in the vicinity to the nearest coastal State and flag State;
- Sound alarm when suspicious boats are sighted loitering in the vicinity of the ship or barge or suspicious individuals on board the ship or barge; and
- Keep abreast of the latest situation and tune-in to advisories and navigational broadcasts announced by the authorities.
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