Over the past week, 5-11 November 2024, two CAT 2 incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.
Area of concern
The incidents occurred onboard a chemical tanker while at berth in the Mabini Seaoil Terminal, Batangas, Philippines, on 20 Oct 2024, and onboard a bulk carrier while anchored at Kutubdia Anchorage, Chattogram, Bangladesh, on 12 Oct 2024. The ReCAAP ISC advises ships to continue to exercise enhanced vigilance when anchored or berthed at ports and anchorages, and the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.
| Factors | The Philippines | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Mabini Seaoil Terminal | Kutubdia Anchorage, Chattogram |
| Type of Ship | Chemical tanker | Bulk carrier |
| Date/Time | 20 Oct at 0105 hrs | 12 Oct at 0148 hrs |
| Number of Perpetrators | 1 man | 12 men |
| Weapons | Handgun | Not stated |
| Treatment of Crew | No injuries | No injuries |
| Significance Level | CAT 2 | CAT 2 |
| Items Stolen | Ship property/stores | Personal belongings & ship property/stores |
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 continuous military operations led to the dismantling of the support base and neutralization of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the Sulu archipelago. Against this backdrop, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts involved in maritime security of the Sulu-Celebes Seas, reviewed the threat situation and recommended further downgrading the threat level of ‘abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ from ‘moderate’ to ‘moderate low’, which implies that ‘incidents are unlikely to occur due to perpetrators’ perceived lack of capability to orchestrate an attack. Nevertheless, minimal damages are expected to the vessel and crew in case of an attack’.
Update of ReCAAP ISC advisory
With the downgrading of the threat of ‘abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ by the PCG, ReCAAP ISC has updated its advisory for ships to “exercise vigilance & adopt necessary preventive measures while transiting the area.” For ships transiting the area, 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 masters 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. They should exercise vigilance and adopt appropriate preventive measures, taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia, both produced by the ReCAAP ISC.
