Over the past week, three incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC, between 10 and 16 September 2024.
As informed, two incidents took place onboard bulk carriers while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait (SS), and one incident involved a barge towed by a tug boat while underway south of Pulau Mungging, within Johor Port Limit, Malaysia.
With the two incidents in the SS occurring within an hour and 2 nm apart, the ReCAAP ISC issued an Incident Alert on 14 September 2024, advising ships to intensify vigilance and maintain a sharp lookout while transiting the areas of concern. The littoral States were also urged to increase patrols and surveillance, respond promptly to incidents, strengthen coordination, and promote information sharing on incidents and criminal groups to apprehend the perpetrators. A total of 34 incidents (33 in the Singapore Strait and one in the Malacca Strait) have been reported in SOMS since January 2024.
Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah
Re-assessment and downgrading of threat level
Efforts by the Philippine Government in Zamboanga, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, through continuous military operations, have led to the dismantling of the support base and neutralization of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the Sulu Archipelago. In response, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with other stakeholders and counterparts 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 the perpetrators’ perceived lack of capability to orchestrate an attack. However, minimal damage may still occur to the vessel and crew in the event of an attack.
Update of ReCAAP ISC advisory
Following the downgrading of the threat on the ‘Abduction of Crew for Ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ by the PCG, 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 remain extra vigilant and report any incidents immediately to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia.
