A total of 11 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in May 2020, according to ReCAAP ISC monthly piracy report. The total number of incidents reported during January-May 2020 has increased compared to January-May 2019. This was due to the increase of incidents in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore Strait during January-May 2020.
There was no report of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah, Malaysia in May 2020. However, the abduction of crew for ransom remains a serious concern as demonstrated by the warning issued by ReCAAP ISC on 23 May that a group of about five Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members armed with assorted firearms was planning to conduct abduction of crew activities in undisclosed areas off Sabah.
ReCAAP ISC is also concerned about the continued occurrence of incidents on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait, with three incidents reported in May 2020.
With these, a total of 15 incidents were reported in the Singapore Strait during Jan-May 2020 comprising 12 incidents occurred in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), one incident in the westbound lane of the TSS, one incident just outside (south) of the TSS and one incident in the precautionary area.
Key figures – May 2020
Of the 11 incidents:
- One was a piracy incident and 10 were incidents of armed robbery against ships
- Two occurred onboard ships while at berth, six incidents onboard ships while at anchor, and three incidents on board ships while underway
- One was a CAT 2 incident, four were CAT 3 incidents and six were CAT 4 incidents.
Key figures January – May 2020
- During January-May 2020, a total of 49 incidents (comprising 48 actual incidents and one attempted incident) of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia.
- Of the 49 incidents, two were incidents of piracy and 47 were incidents of armed robbery against ships.
- Compared to January-May 2019, the total number of incidents reported during January-May 2020 had almost doubled. A total of 25 incidents (comprising 22 actual incidents and three attempted incidents) were reported during January-May 2019
- The number of incidents reported during Jan-May 2020 was the highest compared to the same period of 2016-2019
- The increase of incidents during January-May 2020 occurred mostly in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore Strait.
Of most concern is the increase of incidents in the Singapore Strait during January-May 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. A total of 15 incidents were reported in the Singapore Strait during January-May 2020 compared to seven incidents during the same period in 2019.
Recommendations
Due to the continued occurrence of incidents in the Singapore Strait, 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.
While transiting the Singapore Strait, ship master and crew are strongly advised to:
- Maximise alertness of lookouts for suspicious small boats and increase watch keeping; particularly daylight time for barges and during night time for bigger ships;
- Maintain communication with 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 and tune-in to advisories and navigational broadcast announced by the authorities.
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