Over the past week, 18-24 February, three incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia (two CAT 3 incidents and one CAT 4 incident) were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.
The CAT 4 incident occurred in Balikpapan Anchorage, Indonesia. The two CAT 3 incidents occurred onboard ships while underway off Pulau Cula, Indonesia, in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait (SS). The crew members were not injured in all three incidents. Engine spares were stolen in two incidents, and nothing was stolen in one incident.
Area of concern
With the two incidents in SS, a total of 17 incidents were reported in SOMS since January 2025, which is close to triple the number of incidents reported during the same period in 2024 (six incidents). The ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the increase of incidents in the SS and advises ships to exercise enhanced vigilance and report incidents to the appropriate local coastal State authority, taking reference from the Poster on Guidelines and Reporting of Incidents by Vessels – SOMS; and the littoral States 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 Sayaaf Group (ASG), and ensured the likelihood of the end of the group through surrender, arrest, and neutralization. Against this backdrop, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts that have vital involvement 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 downgrading of the threat on the ‘Abduction of Crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas, ReCAAP ISC have 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.
Recommendations
Ship master 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, 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.
