In its monthly piracy report, ReCAAP ISC informed that a total of six incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in October 2018. The total number of incidents against ships in Asia during January-October 2018 has decreased by 5% compared to the same period in 2017, as the number of actual incidents reported during January-October 2018 was the lowest among a 10-year reporting period. The abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah remains a serious concern.
Highlights
- A total of six incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in October 2018
- No piracy incident was reported
- There was also no report of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and no hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargo
- However, the abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah remains a serious concern
- ReCAAP ISC has issued a warning on 30 October alerting the shipping industry about a group of about 10 ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) members planning to conduct kidnapping activities at any opportune time in undisclosed areas in Sabah targeting businessmen or ship’s crew of foreign vessels passing through the area
October 2018
- In October 2018, a total of six incidents (all actual incidents) of armed robbery against ships were reported
- No piracy incident was reported
- Compared to the preceding month of September 2018, the number of incidents reported in October 2018 has increased slightly. A total of five incidents were reported in September 2018 compared to six incidents in October 2018
- Of the six incidents reported in October 2018, five incidents occurred onboard ships at anchor/berth and one incident on board ship while underway
- Of the six actual incidents reported in October 2018, one was a CAT 2 incident, two were CAT 3 incidents and three were CAT 4 incidents.
January to October 2018
- A total of 70 incidents comprising of 56 actual incidents and 14 attempted incidents have been verified and reported to ReCAAP ISC during January-October 2018
- Of these, 67 were incidents of armed robbery against ships and three were piracy incidents
- Compared to January-October 2017, there was a 5% decrease in the total number of incidents reported during January-October 2018
- A total of 74 incidents comprising 64 actual and 10 attempted incidents were reported during January-October 2017.
Although there was no actual incident of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah, nor hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargo in October 2018, the threat of these incidents still remains. The ReCAAP ISC reiterates the need for law enforcement agencies to enhance surveillance, increase patrols and respond promptly to reports of incident. Ships transiting areas of concern are to exercise enhanced vigilance, maintain all round lookout for suspicious boats, report all incidents to the nearest coastal State and flag State immediately, and implement preventive measures recommended in the Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia,
…ReCAAP ISC advised.
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