One CAT 3 1 incident of armed robbery against ships in Asia was reported to ReCAAP ISC, from 29 November-5 December 2022.
The incident occurred on board a bulk carrier while underway in the Singapore Strait. Seven perpetrators armed with knives were sighted in the engine room. The perpetrators escaped upon being sighted. All crew was safe and nothing was reported stolen.
With this incident, a total of 53 incidents were reported in the SS since January 2022. In November 2022, two Incident Alerts were issued to advise ships to intensify vigilance when transiting the area, and to urge the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement.
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.
Recommendations
Ship master and crew to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, exercise vigilance and adopt appropriate preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.
Agreed with the proposal ship transiting the hotspot need to be more vigilant and report immediately any incidents to the littoral state enforcement authorities.