ReCAAP ISC informed that in April 2022, 10 incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia. No piracy incident on high seas was reported.
Of the 10 incidents, six incidents occurred on board ships while anchored/berthed at anchorages in Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines, three incidents occurred on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait (SS) and one incident on board a ship while underway in the Gulf of Khambhat, India.
The situation of armed robbery against ships in the SS continues to be of concern. Since January 2022, a total of 21 incidents were reported in the SS. This accounts for 64% of the total number of incidents reported during the period of January-April 2022 (21 of 33 incidents).
There was no incident of abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah in April 2022. The last incident occurred on 17 Jan 20.
However, the threat of abduction of crew for ransom remains potentially high, particularly in the area of Sulu and nearby waters off Tawi-Tawi as the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is still active and the leaders of the ASG responsible for the past incidents of abduction are still at large.
Status of Ships
Of the 10 incidents reported in April 2022, five incidents occurred on board ships while anchored (two at Chattogram Anchorage, Bangladesh; two at Batangas Anchorage, the Philippines; and one at Jakarta Anchorage, Indonesia), four incidents on board ships while underway (three in the SS and one in the Gulf of Khambhat, India) and one incident on board a ship while berthed at Port of Makar, General Santos City, the Philippines.
Significance levels of incidents
All nine actual incidents reported in April 2022 were CAT 45 incidents.
Of the nine CAT 4 incidents, the perpetrators stole ship stores and unsecured items in five incidents and escaped empty-handed in the other four incidents. The crew was not injured in all nine incidents.
January-April 2022 number of incidents
During January-April 2022, 33 incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia. No piracy incident was reported during this period. Of the 33 incidents, 31 were actual incidents and two were attempted incidents.
Compared to January-April 2021, the total number of incidents during January-April 2022 increased by 38%. A total of 24 incidents were reported during January-April 2021.
The increase of incidents during January-April 2022 as compared to January-April 2021 occurred in the following locations:
- In Bangladesh, three incidents were reported during January-April 2022 compared to no incident during January-April 2021.
- In India, three incidents were reported during January-April 2022 compared to one incident during the same period in 2021.
- In the Singapore Strait, 21 incidents were reported during January-April 2022 compared to 12 incidents during January-April 2021.
However, there was a decrease of incidents during January-April 2022 compared to January-April 2021 in the following locations:
- In Indonesia, three incidents were reported during January-April 2022 compared to five incidents during January-April 2021.
- In Malaysia, no incident was reported during January-April 2022 compared to one incident during the same period in 2021.
- In Vietnam, no incident was reported during January-April 2022 compared to two incidents during January-April 2021.
Areas of concern
The ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the increasing number of incidents in the SS and Bangladesh; and the potential threat of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas.
#1 Continued occurrence of incidents in the Singapore Strait (SS)
A total of 21 incidents were reported in the SS during January-April 2022. This accounts for 64% of the total number of incidents in Asia (33 incidents). An arrest of the perpetrators was made in one incident.
#2 Increasing number of incidents at Chattogram Anchorages, Bangladesh
During January–April 2022, three incidents were reported at Chattogram Anchorages, Bangladesh compared to no incident reported throughout 2021. The stolen items were recovered by the Bangladesh authorities in two incidents. However, there was no report on the arrest of the perpetrators involved.
#3 Threat of abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas
Although no incident was reported in the Sulu-Celebes Seas during January-April 2022, the threat of abduction of crew for ransom in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi remains potentially high as the ASG elements are still active and the leaders of the ASG responsible for the past abduction incidents are still at large.
Recommendations
While transiting the SS, ship masters and crew are strongly advised to heighten vigilance and proactively adopt the following measures:
- Keep abreast of the latest situation particularly the incident-prone areas in the SS. The ReCAAP ISC’s reports indicate detailed locations of incidents with latitude and longitude.
- Tune-in to advisories and navigational broadcasts announced by the authorities.
- Maximise vigilance, lookouts for suspicious small boats and increase watch keeping; particularly for crew on board tug boats towing barges during daylight and for crew on board bigger ships during night time.
- Maintain communication with their 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 are sighted on board the ship or barge.
