In its weekly report for the period of 11-17 December, the ReCAAP ISC informed it received no reports of incident of piracy or armed robbery against ships in Asia. However, the ReCAAP Focal Point (UK) reported an incident of attempted piracy outside Asia, involving a crude oil tanker while sailing southeast of Bab Al Mendeb Strait, on 13 December.
While the Philippine-flagged crude oil tanker ‘Nord Lavender’ was sailing at the Southeast of Bab Al Mendeb Strait, Arabian Sea, on Thursday noon, about 15-20 skiffs approached the tanker at high speed and surrounded her. There were about four to five persons in each skiff. The tanker fired warning shots and the skiffs dispersed. The crew was not injured. No items were stolen.
The ReCAAP ISC urges ship master and crew to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, exercise vigilance and adopt relevant preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.
