In October 2020, nine incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia, according to monthly figures by ReCAAP ISC. With these incidents, the total number of incidents from January to October 2020 was 84 incidents, which represents an increase of 35% compared to the same period of 2019 (62 incidents).
The total number of incidents reported during January-October 2020 has also increased compared to January-October 2019. This was due to the increase of incidents in Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, South China Sea and Singapore Strait. The situation in the Singapore Strait continues to be a concern with the occurrence of six incidents in October 2020 and a total of 28 incidents during January-October 2020.
The six incidents in October is the highest number of incidents reported in one month compared to the previous months of 2020 (January-September).
As all of these incidents occurred within an interval of 15 days (11-26 Oct), the ReCAAP ISC issued an Incident Alert to advise ships to exercise utmost vigilance, adopt extra precautionary measures and report all incidents to the nearest coastal States.
Key figures in October 2020
- Of the nine incidents reported in October 2020, seven incidents occurred onboard ships while underway and two onboard ships while at anchor.
- All the nine incidents reported in October 2020 were CAT 4 incidents (where the perpetrators are not armed and crew not harmed).
- Of the nine incidents, six incidents occurred to ships while underway in the Singapore Strait, one incident occurred to an offshore supply ship while anchored at Kakinada OPL anchorage, India, one incident occurred to a chemical tanker while anchored at Dumai anchorage, Indonesia and one incident occurred to a bulk carrier while underway in the Saigon River, Vietnam.
Key figures in January-October 2020
- During January-October 2020, a total of 84 incidents (comprising 82 actual incidents and two attempted incidents) of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia.
- Of the 84 incidents, three were piracy and 81 were armed robbery against ships.
- Compared to January-October 2019, the total number of incidents reported during January-October 2020 increased by 35%. A total of 62 incidents (comprising 55 actual incidents and seven attempted incidents) were reported during January-October 2019.
The number of incidents reported during January-October 2020 was the highest compared to the same period of 2016-2019:
- The increase of incidents during January-October 2020 occurred in Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, South China Sea and Singapore Strait.
- In Bangladesh, three incidents were reported during January-October 2020 compared to no incident during January-October 2019.
- In India, nine incidents were reported during January-October 2020 compared to four incidents during the same period in 2019.
- In the Philippines, 13 incidents were reported during January-October 2020 compared to three incidents during January-October 2019.
- In Vietnam, four incidents were reported during January-October 2020 compared to two incidents during the same period in 2019.
- In the South China Sea, four incidents of piracy were reported during January-October 2020 compared to one incident of piracy during January-October in 2019.
- Of most concern is the increase of incidents in the Singapore Strait. A total of 28 incidents were reported in the Singapore Strait during January-October 2020 compared to 18 incidents during January-October 2019.
Significance of incidents
Of the 82 actual incidents reported during January-October 2020, one was a CAT 1 incident, three were CAT 2 incidents, 15 were CAT 3 incidents and 6 were CAT 4 incidents.
Recommendations
Due to the continued occurrence of incidents in the Singapore Strait, the ReCAAP ISC strongly urges the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in their respective waters, strengthen coordination among them and promote information sharing on incidents and criminal groups involved in order to make more arrests.
While transiting the Singapore Strait, ship master and crew are strongly advised to proactively adopt the following measures:
- Maximize alertness of lookouts for suspicious small boats and increase watch keeping onboard ships; particularly daylight time for barges and during night time for bigger ships;
- Maintain communication with shipping company by providing periodic updates and establish daily communication checks;
- Report all incidents, suspicious activities and presence of suspicious small boats in the vicinity to the nearest coastal State and flag State;
- Sound alarm when suspicious boats are sighted loitering in the vicinity of the ship or barge or suspicious individuals on board the ship or barge; and
- Keep abreast of the latest situation (at www.recaap.org) and tune-in to advisories and navigational broadcasts announced by the authorities.
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