A total of eight incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in August 2018, according to ReCAAP ISC’s monthly report. The figures reveal a decrease compared to the previous month, but a 5% increase in the total number of incidents reported during January-August 2018, compared with the same period in 2017.
Key points for August 2018
- The was no piracy incident in Asia in August 2018.
- There was also no report of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and no hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargo reported.
- Compared to the preceding month of July 2018, the number of incidents reported in August 2018 has decreased slightly: A total of nine incidents were reported in July 2018 compared to eight incidents in August 2018.
Key points for January-August 2018
- A total of 57 incidents comprising of 45 actual incidents and 12 attempted incidents have been verified and reported to the ReCAAP ISC during January-August 2018. Of these, 54 were incidents of armed robbery against ships and three were piracy incidents.
- Compared to January-August 2017, there was a 5% increase in the total number of incidents reported during January-August 2018: A total of 54 incidents comprising 46 actual and eight attempted incidents were reported during January-August 2017.
- The increase in the total number of incidents during January-August 2018 was due to the larger number of attempted incidents compared to the same period in 2017: A total of 12 attempted incidents were reported during January-August 2018 compared to eight attempted incidents during the same period in 2017. This indicates that ship master/ crew and authorities had been successful in preventing boarding by perpetrators during January-August 2018.
- The number of actual incidents remains fairly consistent during January-August of 2018 and 2017: A total of 45 actual incidents were reported during January-August 2018 compared to 46 incidents during the same period in 2017.
- There was no CAT 1 incident reported during January-August 2018, and the majority of incidents were CAT 4.
- However, of concern was the increase in number of incidents reported at anchorages off Chittagong, Bangladesh, mostly petty theft in nature.
Although there was no actual incident of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas nor hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargo during January-August 2018, the threat of these incidents still remains. The ReCAAP ISC reiterates the need for law enforcement agencies to enhance surveillance, increase patrols and respond promptly to reports of incident. Ships transiting areas of concern are to exercise enhanced vigilance, maintain lookout for suspicious boats, report all incidents to the nearest coastal State and flag State immediately, and implement preventive measures recommended in the Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia.
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