One incident of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC, between 20 and 26 August 2024.
According to ReCAAP ISC, the incident occurred onboard a barge while underway in the westbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Straits (SS) on 23 August 2024. Details of the incident are shown below:
- Location: SOMS, about 3.6 nm south of Tanjung Setapa, Malaysia
- Type of ship: Tugboat & barge
- Date/Time: 23 Aug 2024 at 1230 hrs
- Number of perpetrators: 7 men
- Weapons: Not stated
- Treatment of crew: No injuries
- Significance level: CAT 4
- Items stolen: Scrap metal
Area of concern
With the incident in SS, a total of 31 incidents were reported in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) since January 2024. The ReCAAP ISC advises ships to exercise enhanced vigilance when transiting SOMS, and the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.
Re-Assessment and downgrading of threat level
The efforts by the Philippine Government in Zamboanga, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi through 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), in coordination with other stakeholders involved in maritime security in the Sulu-Celebes Seas, reviewed the threat situation and recommended downgrading the threat level of ‘Abduction of Crew for Ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ from ‘MODERATE’ to ‘MODERATE LOW’. This implies that incidents are unlikely due to perpetrators’ perceived lack of capability to orchestrate an attack; however, minimal damage is expected to the vessel and crew in case of an attack.
Update of ReCAAP ISC advisory
- With the downgrading of the threat on ‘Abduction of Crew for Ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ by the PCG, the ReCAAP ISC has updated its advisory for ships to “exercise vigilance and adopt necessary preventive measures while transiting the area.”
- Ship masters and crew transiting the area 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.
