In its weekly report for 25 February -2 March, ReCAAP ISC informed of four incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia. All four were CAT 4 (least significant) incidents. Of the four incidents, one occurred in the Kutubdia Channel, Bangladesh; one at North Anchorage, Kakinada, India; one at Panjang Anchorage, Indonesia; and one in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait.
Attacks against ships in the Singapore Strait have been a key area of concern for global maritime security lately.
With this incident, a total of eight incidents occurred in the Singapore Strait since January 2020, all in the eastbound lane of the TSS.
Also, the weekly report includes an incident to an offshore supply ship outside Asia on 26 Feb, while at Luanda Inner Anchorage, Angola.
The incidents in Asia
-The first incident involves the Singaporean-flagged tug boat Teras Caesar.
While the tug boat towing barge Maritime Faith was underway in the morning of 28 February, about 20 perpetrators boarded the barge from three fishing boats.
The master of the tug boat sounded the alarm and all crew were on standby for possible boarding of the tug boat by the perpetrators.
The perpetrators eventually escaped with stolen items including lashing equipment, rope, manhole cover and steel stopper from the barge.
The incident was reported to the Bangladesh Navy and Singapore Port Operations Control Centre.
-The second incident involves the Indian-flagged offshore supply ship ‘Malaviya Ten’.
While at anchor, seven perpetrators in a dinghy boat approached and boarded the ship from the stern. They stole lube oil drums and escaped. The crew was not injured.
Two Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships investigated all the fishing boats entering Kakinada fisheries harbour.
Further, ICG Station Kakinada informed to Coastal Security Police Station Vakalapudi for investigation.
-The third incident involves the Philippines-flagged bulk carrier ‘Western Seattle’ on 28 February, about 3.5 nm east of Pulau Karimun Kecil, Indonesia in the eastbound lane of the TSS in the
Singapore Strait.
While en route to Singapore, four perpetrators boarded the bulk carrier.
The crew informed the master who raised the alarm and mustered all crew in the wheelhouse.
The master reported the incident to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System.
There was no confrontation between the crew and perpetrators and nothing was stolen.
The Republic of Singapore Navy escorted the ship into Singapore and upon arrival, the Singapore Police Coast Guard boarded the ship to conduct a search. No perpetrator was found.
-The fourth incident involves the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier ‘Federal Bristol’, on 13 January.
While anchored at Panjang Anchorage, Indonesia, the duty watchman onboard noticed the steering room lock was opened and ship’s engine spares were missing.
The master reported the incident to the local agent.
Incident outside Asia
While at anchor at Luanda Inner Anchorage, Angola, on 26 February, four perpetrators boarded the Singaporean-flagged offshore supply ship Pacific Gosling, broke the padlock to the paint locker room, stole paint and escaped.
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 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.
