In its latest quarterly report for January-March 2018, the ReCAAP ISC noted a significant improvement in the overall situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia, with a 48% decrease in the number of incidents, compared to the same period in 2017. This year’s improvement was most apparent at ports and anchorages in Bangladesh and Philippines. However, the number of incidents at Vietnam’s port/anchorage and in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore has increased slightly.
Namely, ReCAAP ISC reported a total of 14 incidents, including nine actual incidents and five attempted incidents, in Asia during January-March 2018 compared to 27 incidents in the previous year. ReCAAP ISC provided a brief overview of the incidents per region:
Bangladesh
Three incidents were reported during January-March 2018 off the port of Chittagong and Kutubdia Island. Of these, the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) reportedly recovered the stolen ropes from bulk carrier ‘Port Hainan’ and bulk carrier ‘Tiberius’. Compared to the same period in 2017, the incidents were relatively less severe during January-March 2018 with no CAT 2 incidents.
Philippines
The situation of armed robbery against ships at ports and anchorages in the Philippines has improved. One incident was reported in the South Harbour Anchorage Area, Manila during January-March 2018 compared with four incidents (all occurred in Batangas port) during the same period in 2017.
In the incident reported during January-March 2018, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) team located the suspected motor banca with the perpetrators on board. The PCG apprehended five perpetrators on board the banca, and recovered the stolen items. Two other perpetrators jumped into the water and escaped. No incident was reported at Batangas port in this period.
Vietnam
Two incidents were reported at ports and anchorages in Vietnam during January-March 2018, compared to none during the same period in 2017. The incidents occurred at Go Dau port and Cam Pha loading anchorage, Vietnam.
The ReCAAP ISC encourages the authorities to enhance the port security at these port and anchorage to prevent further occurrences.
Straits of Malacca and Singapore
Two attempted incidents were reported in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore during January-March 2018, while one attempted incident was reported during January-March 2017 and no incident reported during the same period in 2016.
In the incidents reported during January-March 2018, the perpetrators were not successful in their attempt to board the ships due to the crew’s vigilance. The crew raised the alarm and reported the incidents to the authorities. Both incidents occurred in January 2018. No incident was reported in February and March 2018.
The ReCAAP ISC commends the authorities in Bangladesh, Philippines and India for the arrests of perpetrators and recovery of stolen items. This was due to timely and accurate reporting by the masters and crew; and prompt and effective response by authorities and enforcement agencies.
