The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published its Monthly Piracy Report for the month of March 2024.
The following acts of piracy and armed robbery are allegedly committed against ships during the month of March 2024, reported by IMO Member States or international organizations in consultative status.
#1 In international waters
- Abdullah, Bulk carrier, Bangladesh
Incident: A bulk carrier underway was attacked and hijacked by armed pirates in small boats. The ship’s SSAS was activated, and all 23 crew members were taken hostage by the pirates, who had full control of the ship. The pirates then sailed the ship and anchored it at the Somali coast. 23 crew members were taken hostage, and the vessel was hijacked.
Location: ARABIAN SEA, Around 550nm East of Mogadishu, Somalia
#2 In territorial waters
- Alpha Hope, Bulk carrier, Marshall Islands
Incident: While underway, the master reported to Singapore Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) that two perpetrators were sighted at the aft deck. The Officer on Watch (OOW) raised the alarm, and the two perpetrators escaped in a boat. The crew conducted a search immediately. At about 0340 hrs, the master reported that the search was completed. All crew members were safe, nothing was missing, and there were no sightings of the perpetrators onboard the ship. The master confirmed that no assistance was required and continued her voyage to Singapore. Safety navigational broadcast was initiated. The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard were notified of the incident. Information was shared with the Indonesian authorities. Upon the ship’s arrival at the Port of Singapore, the Singapore Police Coast Guard boarded the ship and conducted a thorough search onboard. No perpetrators were found onboard the ship.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT Approximately 11 nm southeast of Pulau Iyu Kecil (Indonesia), Indonesia
- Apiradee Naree, Bulk carrier, Singapore
Incident: While underway, the Junior Engineer (JE) and oiler spotted three perpetrators armed with metal rods onboard the ship during their routine checks around the engine room. The JE and oiler notified the bridge of the sighting immediately and the general alarm was activated. All crew members except the engine room staff were mustered at the bridge, while the engine room staff locked themselves in the engine control room. Upon hearing the alarm, the three perpetrators escaped immediately via the starboard quarter of the ship. Nothing was stolen and the crew was not injured.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT Approximately 4.8 nm from Pulau Cula (Indonesia), Indonesia
- Yangtze Crown, Bulk carrier, Marshall Islands
Incident: While underway, the master reported that the crew sighted three perpetrators in the steering gear room. The master raised the alarm and mustered the crew to carry out a search. At 0115 hrs, the master reported that the search had been concluded. All crew members were accounted for, and there was no report of injuries. Some engine spare parts were stolen, and no further assistance was required. The master reported the incident to Singapore VTIS. Safety navigational broadcast was initiated. The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) were notified. Information of the incident was shared with the Indonesian authorities. Upon the ship’s arrival at Singapore port, the Singapore Police Coast Guard boarded the ship and conducted a thorough search onboard, but no perpetrators were found.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT Approximately 2.6 nm northwest of Pulau Cula (Indonesia), Indonesia
- Dark Knight / Ambur, Tug, Palau
Incident: While the tug boat towing drill ship was underway, the crew noticed four perpetrators had boarded the unmanned drill ship from a small fishing boat via the excess ladder on starboard side. The general alarm was sounded, and the master reported and requested for assistance from Klang VTS. The incident was also reported to the CSO. A Coast Guard patrol boat searched around the drill ship but the perpetrators had already escaped. Nothing was stolen and the crew was not injured.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT Off Pisang Island (Malaysia), in the westbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) Malaysia
- George Island, Bulk carrier, Liberia
Incident: While underway, the master reported to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) West that three perpetrators armed with knives were sighted in the engine room. The master raised the alarm and mustered crew on the bridge. A search onboard the ship was conducted and at 0118 hrs, the master reported that no perpetrators were found and nothing was stolen. All crew members were accounted for with no reported injury. The ship was en-route to Pilot Eastern Boarding Ground “B” (PEBGB). Safety navigational broadcast was initiated. The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard were notified. Upon the ship’s arrival in Singapore, the Singapore Police Coast Guard boarded the ship and conducted a thorough search onboard, but no perpetrators were found.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT Approximately 4.9 nm from Takong Lighthouse (Indonesia), Indonesia
#3 In Port Area
- Era Star, Chemical tanker, Liberia
Incident: While anchored, ship crew reported that eight to 10 perpetrators armed with long knives boarded the ship using hook at the port forward of the ship, and managed to escape onboard a country boat. Upon inspection, it was found out that heave lines and messenger lines were stolen. The alarm was sounded, announcement was made through the PA, and the crew was mustered. The crew was not injured. The incident was reported to the local agent.
Location: INDIAN OCEAN Hiron Pilot Station, Mongla, Bangladesh Bangladesh
- Viva Cosmos, Bulk carrier, Panama
Incident: Eight robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier. Alarm raised, crew mustered, and a search was carried out. Seeing the crew alertness, the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s store. All crew members safe.
Location: INDIAN OCEAN Chattogram Anchorage, Bangladesh Bangladesh
