In its weekly report for 24-30 November, ReCAAP ISC reported five incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia. These were reported on ships off Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Malaysia and in Singapore Strait. Of these, one was a CAT 2, two were CAT 3 and two were CAT 4 incidents (least significant).
CAT 3 incident is ‘less significant’ in nature, but the perpetrators could be armed with knives/machetes, while CAT 4 is classified as “least significant” in nature, with neither armed perpetrators nor harmed crew. CAT 2 is classified as moderately significant. Under this category, the perpetrators are likely to be armed with knives/machetes and in some incidents armed with guns. The crew is threatened or held hostage temporarily and, in some cases, the crew suffered injury and physical violence.
The CAT 2 incident occurred on 20 Nov onboard a fishing boat while underway off Inderasabah, Tawau, East Malaysia.
Of the two CAT 3 incidents, one occurred on 25 Nov on a tanker while anchored at Dumai Anchorage, Indonesia and the other occurred on 25 Nov on board a tanker while anchored in Pussur River, Mongla, Bangladesh.
Among the two CAT 4 incidents, one occurred on 19 Nov on a bulk carrier while anchored at Inner Anchorage, Campha, Vietnam and the other occurred on 30 Nov on board a bulk carrier while underway in the Singapore Strait.
With the latest incident in the Singapore Strait, a total of 34 incidents have been reported in the Singapore Strait during January-November 2020 compared to 31 incidents occurred during the entire year of 2019.
The ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the continued occurrence of incidents in the Singapore Strait; and had issued a Special Report on 23 Nov to provide an insight of the incidents and recommendations to the industry and authorities of littoral States to address the situation collectively in order to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.
The incidents
-Incident #1
The first incident involves the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Semirio, approximately 6.4 nm northwest of Tanjung Tondang, Pulau Bintan, Indonesia in the eastbound lane of the TSS in the Singapore Strait, in the morning hours of 30 November.
While underway, two perpetrators were sighted in the vicinity of the steering gear room. The alarm was raised and a search onboard was conducted.
At about 0835 hrs, the master updated that there was no further sighting of the perpetrators onboard. Some engine spares were declared stolen. All crew are safe and no assistance required. The ship continued its voyage to China.
The Republic of Singapore Navy’s Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard were informed. The Malaysian and Indonesian authorities were also notified. A safety navigational broadcast was initiated to alert mariners.
-Incident #2
The second incident involves the Singaporean-flagged tanker Epic Bolivar, while at Pussur River, Mongla, Bangladesh, in the evening of 25 November.
While at anchor, three perpetrators armed with a crowbar boarded the tanker. The duty watchman noticed the perpetrators and informed the bridge.
The alarm was raised and crew mustered. Seeing that the crew had been alerted, the perpetrators escaped emptyhanded. The crew was not injured. The incident was reported to the port control.
-Incident #3
The third incident concerns the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Fairchem Sword, in Dumai Anchorage, Indonesia, in the early morning hours of 25 November.
While at anchor, four perpetrators armed with long knives boarded the tanker, stole auxillary engine spares and escaped. The local authorities were informed and investigation were ongoing.
-Incident #4
The fourth incident involves the Malaysian fishing boat TW 5320/6 F, at the Tanjung Hantu area, Inderasabah, Tawau, East Malaysia, in the afternoon of 20 November.
While underway, three perpetrators approached the fishing boat in a purple-striped white wooden boat (Honda 40 HP). 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 and two mobile phones before they left.
The police under the command of Eastern Command is currently investigating the incident.
-Incident #5
The fifth incident concerns the Singaporean flagged bulk carrier Asia Emerald III, while at Inner Anchorage, Campha, Vietnam, in the afternoon of 19 November.
While at anchor and discharging cargo, ship stores (paint) were found stolen from the bulk carrier.
The incident probably took place on 19 Nov, between 1730-2030hrs when the crew was involved in repair of ship’s equipment. The ship was not damaged and crew not injured.