The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published its Monthly Piracy Report for the month of February 2024.
The following acts of piracy and armed robbery are allegedly committed against ships during the month of February 2024, reported by IMO Member States or international organizations in consultative status.
#1 In territorial waters
- Maria-Maria, Bulk carrier, Cyprus
The incident: While underway, four perpetrators armed with knives were sighted in the steering gear room. The perpetrators escaped upon activation of the ship’s general alarm. The master reported the incident to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS). A search was conducted with no further sighting of the perpetrators. At about 0543 hrs, the master declared that nothing was stolen and all crew members were safe. No further assistance was required.
The ship’s last port of call was Brazil, and was bound for Singapore Anchorage. 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 7.5 nm southeast from Pulau Iyu Kecil (Indonesia), in the Traffic Separation Scheme. Indonesia
- Top Diligence, General cargo ship Hong Kong, China
The incident: While underway, the master reported to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) that four perpetrators armed with gun-like object were sighted in the engine room. The alarm was raised and crew mustered. A search was conducted with no further sighting of the perpetrators. At about 0336 hrs, the master reported that some spare parts were stolen and all crew members were safe. No further assistance was required.
The ship’s last port of call was Ivory Coast, and was bound for Singapore Anchorage. 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. Upon the ship’s arrival at the anchorage, 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 8.6 nm southeast from Pulau Iyu Kecil (Indonesia), [Straits of Malacca and Singapore] Indonesia
#2 In port area
- MV Nordpuma, Container ship, Cyprus
The incident: While anchored, the Ordinary Seaman (OS) spotted six perpetrators onboard the ship. When informed of the
boarding, the master called the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) immediately and raised the general alarm. Upon hearing the alarm, the perpetrators jumped overboard and escaped.
After receipt of the report, the PCG immediately deployed its Maritime Patrol (MARPAT) Team to conduct verification and inspection onboard the ship at South Harbor Anchorage Area. Two sets of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with cylinders were found missing. The crew was not injured.
Location: SOUTH CHINA SEA, Vicinity waters off South Harbor Anchorage, Manila, the Philippines
- Name Withheld, Container ship, Indian Ocean
The incident: Two unauthorised persons boarded an anchored ship. Alarm raised and the crew mustered. Seeing the crew’s alertness, the persons escaped empty handed.
Location: INDIAN OCEAN, Chittagong Inner Anchorage, Bangladesh
- Severn, Product tanker, Liberia
The incident: Unnoticed persons boarded the berthed tanker, stole ship’s properties, and escaped. The theft was noticed after the tanker sailed.
Location: WEST AFRICA Monrovia Port, Liberia Liberia
- Maersk Hai Phong, Container ship, Liberia
The incident: Duty watchkeepers onboard an anchored container ship noticed four robbers armed with knives and other weapons, boarded the ship and raised the alarm. Master notified port control, coast guard and agent. After the robbers left, a search was carried out. It was reported that ship’s stores were stolen from the aft stores.
Location: INDIAN OCEAN, Chattogram Anchorage, Bangladesh
- Gas Courage, Tanker, Panama
The incident: While anchored, nine perpetrators boarded the ship from a country boat. They tied up the watchman and stole ship stores. The incident was reported to the Bangladesh authorities who responded immediately and apprehended the nine perpetrators. The Bangladesh authorities also recovered all stolen ship stores and handed the items over to the ship.
Location: INDIAN OCEAN, Off Kutubdia Anchorage, Bangladesh
- Globe Explorer, Bulk carrier, Panama
The incident: Two robbers armed with long knives boarded an anchored ship and entered the engine room. The robbers were spotted by the duty oiler who managed to evade being captured and raised the alarm resulting in the robbers escaping with stolen ship’s engine spares. Incident reported to VTS.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT, Panjang Anchorage, Indonesia
- Boka Vanguard, Heavy load carrier, Curaçao (Kingdom of the Netherlands)
The incident: Three robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored heavy load carrier. Duty watchmen noticed the robbers and informed the OOW who raised the alarm. The robbers threatened the duty watchmen before escaping with the stolen ship properties.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT, Batam Anchorage, Indonesia
