The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published its Monthly Piracy Report for the month of April 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 territorial waters
- Danum 53/Linau 135, Tug, Malaysia
Incident: While the tug boat towing a barge was underway, the master noticed a sampan alongside the barge. Three perpetrators were seen leaving the barge with some copper coils and fiber boards. The crew was mustered and accounted for, with no injuries reported. The master reported the incident to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) East. A safety navigational broadcast was initiated, and the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard were notified.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT, South of Tanjung Ramunia, Johor, Malaysia, in the westbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), Malaysia.
- Casanova, Bulk carrier, Bahamas
Incident: Five robbers armed with pistols boarded the ship. They pointed pistols at the duty engineer, tied his hands, and placed him face-down on the floor. The general alarm was raised, a PA announcement was made, and the crew was mustered. The robbers escaped with stolen engine spares. The duty engineer was taken hostage but was later safe.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT, Singapore Straits, Indonesia.
- Bongawan 9/Hexagro 9, Tug, Malaysia
Incident: While underway, the master reported to Singapore VTIS East via VHF Channel 10 that he sighted three to four perpetrators alongside the unmanned barge in three sampans. The master raised the alarm and mustered the crew. At 1040 hrs, the master reported that the perpetrators had left the barge, and some scrap metals were stolen. All crew members were accounted for, with no injuries reported. A safety navigational broadcast was initiated, and RSN’s MSTF and Singapore Police Coast Guard were informed.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT, Approximately 4.3 nm east of Tanjung Penyusop, Malaysia, in the westbound lane of the TSS, Malaysia.
#2 In port area
- Shakespeare Bay, Bulk carrier, Hong Kong, China
Incident: While berthed, three robbers armed with knives boarded the ship, entered the engine room, and took the duty crew hostage, tying his hands. The robbers released the duty crew before escaping with stolen ship’s engine spare parts. The incident was reported to the local agent, and the information was relayed to the Indonesian Marine Police HQ by PRC.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT, Kuala Tanjung Port, Indonesia.
- Maersk Chattogram, Container ship, Singapore
Incident: While anchored at Chattogram Outer Anchorage, the duty watchman noticed two perpetrators onboard who managed to escape in a country boat. Upon inspection, it was found that 600 liters of paint, 150 meters of safety chain, 16 pieces of brass fire hydrant caps, and 2 pieces of fire hoses were stolen. The incident was reported to the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Port Control Authority, who subsequently recovered all the stolen items and handed them over to the ship master.
Location: INDIAN OCEAN, Chattogram Outer Anchorage, Bangladesh
- Asian Trader, Container ship, Cyprus
Incident: During berthing maneuvers at Georgetown Port, Guyana, three unauthorized persons armed with knives boarded the ship. The alarm was raised and the crew mustered, causing the intruders to escape. The incident was reported to the VTS, and a patrol boat searched the seaward side of the vessel while a security team performed a search on the vessel.
Location: SOUTH AMERICA (A), Georgetown Port, Guyana.
- Solar Roma, Product tanker, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Incident: While anchored at Balikpapan Anchorage, Indonesia, the tanker was boarded by four perpetrators through the anchor chain. They broke into the forecastle store and escaped with ship’s stores and properties. The incident was reported to Balikpapan Port Control.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT, Balikpapan Anchorage, Indonesia
