A total of five incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia during July 2021, as ReCAAP ISC noted in its monthly report.
As informed, no piracy incident was reported, while all five incidents were actual incidents. What is more, no attempted incident was reported.
Of the five incidents reported in July 2021, two incidents occurred on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait, two incidents occurred on board ships while anchored at South Harbour Anchorage area, Manila, the Philippines and one incident on board a ship while anchored at Belawan Anchorage, Indonesia.
January-July 2021
During January-July 2021, 43 incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia. No piracy incident was reported during this period.
Of the 43 incidents, 41 were actual incidents and two were attempted incidents. Compared to January-July 2020, the total number of incidents during January-July 2021 decreased by 32%.
A total of 63 incidents (comprising 61 actual incidents and two attempted incidents) were reported during January-July 2020. The total number of incidents reported during January-July 2021 is the second lowest among January-July of 2007-2021.
Recommendations
The ReCAAP ISC strongly urges the littoral States to continue to increase patrols and enforcement in their respective waters, respond promptly to incidents reported by ships, strengthen coordination among them and promote information sharing on incidents and criminal groups involved in order to arrest the perpetrators.
While transiting the Singapore Strait, ship masters and crew are strongly advised to enhance vigilance and proactively adopt the following measures:
- Maximise alertness of lookouts for suspicious small boats and increase watch keeping on board ships; particularly during daylight time for barges and during night time for bigger ships;
- Maintain communication with their 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.