ReCAAP ISC: One incident of armed robbery 4-10 March

The incident occurred onboard a barge towed by a tugboat while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait (SS) on 7 Mar 2025. The incident involved a tugboat and barge, with three perpetrators who were unarmed. No injuries were reported among the crew, and the  stolen items included scrap metals.

Area of concern

With the incident in SS, a total of 23 incidents were reported in SOMS since January 2025. The ReCAAP ISC advises ships to exercise enhanced vigilance when transiting SOMS, and the littoral States are urged to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.

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 of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), ensuring the likelihood of the group’s end through surrender, arrest, and neutralization. Against this backdrop, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts involved in the maritime security of the Sulu-Celebes Seas, re-assessed the threat level and recommended further downgrading the threat level of ‘abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ from ‘moderate low’ to ‘low,’ meaning ‘no information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence incidents are not expected to occur.’

Update of ReCAAP ISC advisory

• With the downgrading of the threat on the ‘abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas,’ the ReCAAP ISC updated its advisory on 14 Feb 2025 for ships to “exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the operation centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM).”
• Ships are also advised to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.