In October 2021, nine actual incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia, according to ReCAAP ISC’s monthly report.
According to the report, during October 2021, nine actual incidents of armed robbery against ships (in territorial/ archipelagic waters) were reported in Asia. However, no piracy incident (on high seas) was marked.
The number of incidents increased from four in September to nine in October. All the incidents occurred on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait (SS). In two of these incidents, perpetrators were reported to be armed with guns or knives.
From January to October 2021, the total number of incidents in Asia decreased by 24% compared to the same period in 2020 (64 incidents in 2021 compared to 84 incidents in 2020), due to the decrease of incidents in all the locations, except in the SS.
The current area of concern is the Singapore Strait. There was a significant increase (25%) in the SS during Jan-Oct 2021 with 35 incidents compared to 28 incidents during the same period in 2020. With two months left, this is already the third largest number of incidents in the SS since 2007 (99 incidents in 2015, 47 incidents in 2014).
There was no report of abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah since January 2020. However, the threat remains high as the Abu Sayyaf Group leaders responsible for the abduction of crew in the Sulu area are still at large.
During January-October 2021, 64 incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia. No piracy incident was reported during this period. Of the 64 incidents, 61 were actual incidents and three were attempted incidents.
Compared to January-October 2020, the total number of incidents during January-October 2021 decreased by 24%. A total of 84 incidents (comprising 82 actual incidents and two attempted incidents) were reported during January-October 2020.
The total number of incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia reported during January-October 2021 has decreased compared to the same period in 2020. This was due to the decrease of incidents in most of the locations. Currently, the areas of concern are the increase of incidents in the Singapore Strait, and the persisting threat of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah.
VIEW RECAAP ISC MONTHLY REPORT HERE
