Th International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published its Monthly Piracy Report for the month of September.
The following acts of piracy and armed robbery are allegedly committed against ships during the month of September 2023, reported by IMO Member States or international organizations in consultative status.
#1 In territorial waters
- Yangze 8, Bulk carrier
The incident: While underway, the master reported to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) West that four perpetrators were sighted in the engine room. One of the perpetrators was seen with a gun-like object. Master raised the alarm and mustered all crew. The crew subsequently searched the ship and there was no further sighting of the perpetrators. All crew members were accounted for, with no report of injuries to crew. The master reported engine spare parts were stolen. The bulk carrier was proceeding to Pilot Eastern Boarding Ground “B” / Eastern Bunkering C Anchorage. Safety broadcast for anti-piracy 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 of the incident was shared with the Indonesian authorities.
#2 In port area
- Name Withheld, Product tanker
The incident: Four robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored tanker. They took one duty crew as hostage and tied him up. General alarm raised. Hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped with the stolen ship’s properties and stores. Incident was reported to the Port Control and the coast guard boarded the ship for investigation.
- Maersk Logger, Tug
The incident: Two unauthorised persons in a canoe approached and boarded an anchored tug. Duty AB on routine rounds noticed the persons and immediately raised the alarm. Upon hearing the alarm, the persons escaped with the stolen ship’s properties.
- MSC Wave F, General cargo ship
The incident: Around four to five robbers armed with knives and a steel bar boarded a berthed general cargo ship. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the crew alertness, the robbers escaped in a wooden boat with stolen ship properties.
- Maersk Belfast, Chemical tanker
The incident: While at anchor, a duty watchman was patrolling on deck when he heard the sound of a boat engine at port aft of the ship. The crew immediately went to investigate and saw a boat moving away from their ship. As the boat was already at a distance away, the crew was unable to determine the number of perpetrators on the boat. A search was conducted on board, with no further sighting of the perpetrators. The search revealed that two mooring ropes were reported missing. The crew was not injured. The local authorities were notified of the incident through the local agent.
- Murex, Tanker
The incident: Six persons in a small boat approached an anchored tanker. Two persons armed with knives managed to board the tanker by crawling in between the anchor chain and hawse pipe cover which they later removed. The persons threw the hawsepipe cover securing bar towards approaching crew, who raised the alarm resulting in the persons escaping in their boat. Nothing reported stolen. Several attempts were made to call the Authorities, but no response received.
- Maetiga, Product tanker
The incident: Around fifteen to eighteen robbers boarded an anchored tanker. They tied up the duty crew and shore watchmen on routine rounds and held them at knifepoint. The robbers stole ship’s stores and escaped. The incident was reported to port VTS TRAMAR and Peru coastguard boarded the tanker for investigation.
- Nordsun, Bulk carrier
The incident: C/O onboard a berthed ship noticed two stevedores exiting from the helicopter store. He called out to them and told them to stop resulting in the stevedores running away. One stevedore was caught with the help of the port safety officer. Upon investigation, ship’s stores and properties were reported stolen.
