Three incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC, comprising two CAT 31 incidents and one CAT 42 incident, over the past week. All three incidents occurred in the Singapore Strait (SS).
Two incidents occurred in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) on 30 Jul 22 within an interval of two hours, and at close proximity to each other. The third incident occurred on 31 Jul 22 in the westbound lane of the TSS. The crew was safe in all three incidents. Engine spare parts and scrap metals were reported stolen in the incidents.
The ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the continued occurrence of incidents in the SS, and alerts the shipping community, urging littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement, and advises all ships to intensify vigilance when transiting the area
ReCAAP ISC stated.
With these three incidents, a total of 33 incidents were reported in the SS since January 2022, comprising 23 incidents in the eastbound lane of the TSS, five incidents in the precautionary area, three incidents in the westbound lane and two incidents outside the TSS.
A total of 42 incidents (comprising 40 actual and 2 attempted) of armed robbery against ships (occurred in internal waters, archipelagic waters and territorial seas) were reported in Asia during January to June 2022.
This represents an 11% increase compared to 38 incidents reported during the same period in 2021.
The severity level of the actual incidents are as follows:
- One Category 2 incident (same as in 2021)
- 10 Category 3 incidents (same as in 2021)
- 29 Category 4 incidents (25 incidents during same period in 2021)
Increase of incidents
- 27 incidents were reported in SS (20 incidents were reported during the period of January to June 2021). The SS remains an area of concern.
- Three incidents were reported at Chattogram Anchorages, Bangladesh (no incident was reported during the same period in 2021).
Areas of improvement
- No incidents were reported in Malaysia (one incident was reported during the same period in 2021).
- Three incidents were reported in the Philippines (six incidents were reported for the same period in 2021).
- No incidents were reported in Vietnam (two incidents were reported for the same period in 2021).
Recommendation
The ReCAAP ISC urges ship master and crew to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, exercise vigilance and adopt relevant preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.
