Four incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia (two CAT 31 and two CAT 42) were reported to ReCAAP ISC, between 20 and 26 June.
Of the four incidents, three incidents occurred on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait (SS), and one incident on board a ship while berthed at Chattogram, Bangladesh. Engine spare parts were stolen in one incident in the SS, ship stores from the ship berthed at Chattogram, and nothing was stolen in the other two incidents in the SS. The crew members were safe in all the four incidents.
Area of concern
The ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the continued occurrence of incidents in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS). With the three incidents
reported, a total of 40 incidents were reported in the SOMS since January 2023. The Centre advises ships to continue to exercise enhanced vigilance
when transiting SOMS; and the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in the area.
Downgrading of threat level
- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), after careful consideration of inputs from stakeholders and counterparts with vital involvement in securing
the Sulu-Celebes Seas maritime security measure, recommends the downgrading of the threat on the ‘Abduction of Crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ from ‘POTENTIALLY HIGH’ to ‘MODERATE’. The MODERATE threat level implies that ‘Incidents are possible to occur but are relatively less severe in nature’.
Update of ReCAAP ISC Advisory
- As the threat of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas has diminished since January 2020 due to successful military operations and
robust law enforcement initiatives, the ReCAAP ISC updates its Advisory to all ships to consider re-route from the area as an option based on its prerogative. - 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. The Contact Details of the Operation Centres of the Philippines and ESSCOM of Malaysia.
Recommendations
Ship master 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.
