International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published its Monthly Piracy Report for the month of July, where piracy incidents are presented.
The following acts of piracy and armed robbery are allegedly committed against ships reported by IMO Member States or international organizations in consultative status.
#1 In International waters
- Haci Erdogan, Fishing vessel
The incident: Eight armed pirates boarded a fishing vessel engaged in fishing activities. They destroyed the cameras onboard the vessel and other communication equipment. Before escaping, they stole valuables and shot the captain. Authorities informed. A naval patrol team was dispatched to
the location. The vessel managed to sail into Freetown port. The captain was hospitalized and underwent surgical treatment.
- Shenghai2 Fishing vessel
The incident: The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre received information from the Regional Authorities that 13 pirates armed with guns boarded and hijacked a fishing vessel underway and took hostage its 23 crew. The Liberian Coast Guard located the vessel off Monrovia, Liberia. After an exchange of gunfire between the pirates and the Coast Guard, the vessel and crew were secured. Two pirates were apprehended while the others escaped.
#2 Malacca Strait
Ten ships were attacked by pirates in Malacca Strait during July. The Strait of Malacca is considered one of Asia’s most critical waterways, connecting China, India, and Southeast Asia.
- Sung Fatt 36 Barge, Malaysia
The incident: While underway, the Malaysian Marine Police patrol boat spotted two boats moored to the barge. Several men were sighted on top of the scrap metal pile on the barge. Upon seeing the patrol boat, the perpetrators immediately escaped in their boats, which crashed into the side of the patrol boat.
- Jin Hwa 40, Tug, Malaysia
While the tug boat towing barge was underway, the master of the tug boat noticed four perpetrators on the barge. The towed barge was carrying scrap metal.
The perpetrators left the barge at about 0929 hrs with stolen scrap metal. The alarm was raised and all crew mustered. The crew subsequently conducted a search, with no further sighting of the perpetrators. The crew was not injured and the master did not require any further assistance.
- Atlantic Prestige Bulk carrier, Marshall Islands
The incident: While underway, the ship’s crew sighted five perpetrators armed with knives in the vicinity of the engine room. The alarm was raised, deck lighting was switched on, crew mustered and a security search was conducted.
- Efraim A Bulk carrier, Cyprus
The incident: While underway, the master reported to Singapore VTIS that the crew sighted five perpetrators on the aft deck. The master sounded the alarm and mustered the crew. The crew conducted a search on board, with no further sighting of the perpetrators. All crew members were safe and accounted for. Nothing was stolen. The ship was en-route to the next port at Huanghua, China, after departing from Singapore
- MSM Bulk carrier, Panama
The incident: While underway, the master reported to Singapore VTIS West that the crew sighted about five perpetrators in the engine room. The alarm was raised and crew mustered. All crew members were accounted for, and the crew was not injured. The crew conducted a search on board, with no further sighting of the perpetrators. Nothing was stolen.
- Tomini Royalty Bulk carrier, Marshall Islands
While underway, the master reported to Singapore VTIS West that the crew sighted four perpetrators in the boiler, who escaped after the crew activated the emergency alarm. The crew was mustered to conduct a search on board. Engine spares were stolen and the crew was not injured.
- Fiji Bulk carrier, Malta
The incident: Six robbers armed with knives boarded the ship underway. They took hostage and tied up the 2/E and 4/E. Prior to escaping the robbers stole engine spares and personal effects of the 4/E. The crew released by C/E who raised the alarm. Incident reported to VTIS and Singapore Port Police. The authorities boarded the ship for investigation.
- Stella Alice Bulk carrier, Singapore
The incident: While underway, the duty oiler spotted four perpetrators in the engine room. He did not confront the perpetrators due to safety consideration, and the perpetrators later escaped from the scene. The duty oiler immediately informed the Chief Officer who then activated the ship’s general alarm. A thorough search on board the ship was conducted, with no further sighting of the perpetrators.
- Jin Hwa 49 Tug, Malaysia
The incident: While underway, four perpetrators were sighted unloading scrap metal from the barge. Upon receipt of the information, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) dispatched a patrol boat to the location.
#3 In Port Area
- Marianna Golden, LPG tanker, Indonesia
The incident: Duty crew on rounds onboard an anchored tanker noticed an unauthorized person on the aft deck. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Hearing the alarm, the person escaped with his accomplices in their boat. A search was carried out, nothing reported stolen.
- UAL Osprey, General cargo ship, Portugal
The incident: Crew on routine rounds onboard an anchored general cargo ship noticed the rigged razor wire around the forward port bow partly removed and two unauthorised persons onboard. Alarm raised, crew mustered and port control informed. Hearing the alarm and seeing the alerted crew, the persons escaped empty handed with their accomplices who were waiting in a boat.
- Vishva Vikas, Bulk carrier, India
The incident: Crew onboard an anchored ship noticed ship’s stores stolen. A search was carried out. No unauthorised persons found onboard the ship.
- Super Ruby, Tanker, Marshall Islands
The incident: While at anchor, the ship crew sighted three perpetrators armed with knives at the engine room. The crew raised the alarm and informed the duty officer. All crew mustered, and a search on board was conducted by the crew with no perpetrators found.
- Edzard Schulte, Product tanker, Isle of Man (United Kingdom)
Three robbers armed with knives were noticed in the engine room by duty crew onboard an anchored tanker. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Upon hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped with stolen engine spares. Incident reported to Panjang VTS via VHF Ch 16. Local authorities boarded the tanker for investigation.
- Name Withheld, Tanker, Panama
The incident: Duty crew on routine rounds onboard an anchored tanker noticed the hawse pipe cover open and notified the duty officer. On searching the vessel, ship’s properties were reported as stolen.
- Nippon Maru, Bulk carrier, Panama
The incident: Duty crew on routine rounds onboard an anchored ship, noticed the store padlock broken and ship’s stores stolen. A search was carried out and no unauthorised persons were found onboard the ship. Incident was reported to the Port control and a patrol boat was dispatched to the location.
- CB Caribic, Product tanker, Portugal
The incident: Duty AB on routine rounds onboard an anchored tanker noticed six unauthorised persons attempting to board via the stern, using a long ladder. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Hearing the alerted crew, the persons aborted the boarding attempt. Incident reported to the authorities through the local agent.
- Seaspan Oceania, Container ship, Hong Kong, China
The incident: Duty AB on routine rounds onboard an anchored ship noticed an unauthorised person attempting to board via the anchor chain. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Hearing the alarm, the person aborted the boarding attempt. Incident reported to the Port Control and a Security Message was broadcast to all vessels in the vicinity.
