Three incidents of armed robbery against ships (two CAT 3 incidents and one CAT 4 incident) in Asia were reported to ReCAAP ISC, between 6-12 February 2024.
The two CAT 3 incidents occurred onboard ships while underway in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS), and one incident (CAT 4) occurred onboard ship while anchored at Manila Anchorage area, Manila, the Philippines. The crew members were not injured in all the three incidents.
With the two incidents occurred in the SOMS, a total of five incidents were reported 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.
Downgrading of threat level
- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), after careful consideration of inputs from stakeholders and counterparts with vital involvement in securing the Sulu-Celebes Seas maritime security measure, recommends the downgrading of the threat on the ‘Abduction of Crew for ransom in the SuluCelebes Seas’ from ‘POTENTIALLY HIGH’ to ‘MODERATE’. The MODERATE threat level implies that ‘Incidents are possible to occur but are relatively less severe in nature’. Update of ReCAAP ISC Advisory.
- As the threat of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas has diminished since January 2020 due to successful military operations and robust law enforcement initiatives, the ReCAAP ISC updates its Advisory to all ships to consider re-route from the area as an option based on its prerogative.
- For ships transiting the area, the 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. The Contact Details of the Operation Centres of the Philippines and ESSCOM of Malaysia are as shown in the picture bellow:
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.
