Over the past week, 25 February to 3 March, five incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia (four CAT 3 incidents and one CAT 4 incident) were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.
All incidents occurred onboard ships while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait (SS). A crew member was injured in one of the incidents. Two incidents were reported with engine spares missing, while nothing was stolen in the other three incidents.
Area of concern
With the five incidents in SS, a total of 22 incidents were reported in SOMS from 1 January to 3 March 2025, compared to six incidents during the same period in 2024. Concerned with the increase and continued occurrence of incidents in SOMS, the ReCAAP ISC issued an Incident Alert on 28 February 2025 to alert the maritime community and warn of the possibility of further incidents.
Ships are advised to intensify vigilance, maintain a sharp lookout while transiting the areas of concern, and report all incidents immediately to the nearest coastal state, as reflected in the poster on Guidelines & Reporting of Incidents by Vessels – SOMS. The Centre also urges the littoral states to increase patrols and surveillance in their respective waters, respond promptly to incidents reported by ships, strengthen coordination, and promote information sharing on incidents and criminal groups involved to arrest the perpetrators.
Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off eastern Sabah
Re-assessment and downgrading of threat level
The efforts by the Philippine government in Zamboanga, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, through continuous military operations, have led to the dismantling of the support base of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and ensured the likelihood of the group’s end through surrender, arrest, and neutralization. Against this backdrop, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with other stakeholders and counterparts involved in maritime security in the Sulu-Celebes Seas, reassessed the threat level and recommended further downgrading the threat level of “abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas” from “moderate low” to “low,” meaning “no information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence incidents are not expected to occur.”
Update of ReCAAP ISC advisory
- With the downgrading of the threat on the “abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas,” ReCAAP ISC updated its advisory on 14 February 2025 for ships to exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM).
- Ships are also advised to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.
