The ReCAAP Information Sharing Center has issued its piracy and armed robbery report against ships in Asia from January-June 2016. During this period, ReCAAP ISC notes improvement in the piracy and armed robbery situation in Asia with the largest decrease in number of incidents during January-June 2016 compared to the same period in the past four years of 2012-2015.
During January-June 2016, 41 incidents of piracy² and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia, comprising 40 actual incidents and one attempted incident. Among these, two were piracy incidents that occurred in the South China Sea (SCS), and 39 were incidents of armed robbery against ships.
The number of incidents reported during January-June 2016 fluctuated across the months; with highest of 13 incidents reported in April 2016 and lowest of three incidents in March and June 2016. Graph 1 shows the number of incidents reported during January-June 2016. Of the 10 incidents reported in January 2016, six occurred at India’s ports and anchorages and of 21 incidents reported during April-May 2016, 11 occurred at Indonesian ports and anchorages. For this period, there is no substantial evidence to suggest any correlation between the number of incidents and the month of the year.
The decline in the number of incidents reported during January-June 2016 was most evident in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS). One incident was reported in SOMS during January-June 2016 compared to 55 incidents during the same period in 2015. The number of incidents involving hijacking of tankers for oil cargo theft has also decreased during January-June 2016. Two incidents involving the hijacking of tankers for oil cargo theft were reported during January-June 2016 compared to 10 such incidents during the same period in 2015.
A total of six CAT 1 incidents were reported during January-June 2016 compared to 10 CAT 1 incidents reported during same period in 2015. Of the six CAT 1 incidents, four involved the abduction of crew and two involved the hijacking of ships for oil cargo theft. The ReCAAP ISC is concerned of the four cases of abduction of crew, and urges the littoral States to step up surveillance/patrols and the shipping industry to adopt appropriate preventive measures. Refer to the ReCAAP ISC Special Report SR 01/2016 on “Special Report on Abducting of Crew from Tug Boats in Waters off Eastern Sabah and South Philippines”.
The situation at most ports and anchorages in Asia has improved during January-June 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, except at certain ports and anchorages in India and Indonesia.
Furthermore, ReCAAP ISC has created an infographic to depict the reported data. Please click here to view the infographic.
ReCAAP ISC warns that there is no room for complacency and more need to be done together towards keeping the sea in Asia safe.
Further details may be found by clicking at the report herebelow
Source & Image credit: ReCAAP ISC
