Over the past week, 27 January – 3 February, five incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia (three CAT 3 incidents and two CAT 4 incidents) were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.
One incident occurred onboard a tanker while anchored at OPL Kakinada, India, and four incidents occurred on board ships while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait (SS). The crew members were not injured in any of the incidents.

Area of concern
With the four incidents in the SS, a total of 11 incidents were reported in SOMS since January 2025. Concerned with the increase and continued occurrence of incidents in SOMS, the ReCAAP ISC issued an Incident Alert on 3 February 2025 to alert the maritime community and warn of the possibility of further incidents.
The Centre also urges the littoral States to increase patrols/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. Ships are also advised to intensify vigilance and maintain a sharp lookout while transiting the areas of concern, and report all incidents immediately to the nearest coastal State.
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 the conduct of continuous military operations led to the dismantling of the support base and neutralizing the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the Sulu archipelago. Against this backdrop, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts that have vital involvement in the maritime security of the Sulu-Celebes Seas, reviewed the threat situation and recommended further downgrading the threat level of ‘Abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ from ‘MODERATE’ to ‘MODERATE LOW,’ which implies that ‘Incidents are unlikely to occur due to perpetrators’ perceived lack of capability to orchestrate an attack. Nevertheless, minimal damages are expected to the vessel and crew in case of an attack.’
Update of ReCAAP ISC advisory
- With the downgrading of the threat on the ‘Abduction of Crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ by the PCG, ReCAAP ISC has updated its Advisory for ships to “exercise vigilance & adopt necessary preventive measures while transiting the area.”
- For ships transiting the area, the ship masters and crew are strongly encouraged to exercise extra vigilance and report all incidents immediately to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia.
Recommendations
Ship masters and crew are to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, referring to the Poster on the Contact Details for Reporting of Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, exercise vigilance, and adopt appropriate preventive measures, taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia, both produced by the ReCAAP ISC.