Over the past week, 22-28 April, two incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia (one CAT 2 incident and one CAT 4) were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.
Both incidents occurred onboard bulk carriers while underway off Pulau Cula, Indonesia, in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of Singapore Strait (SS). The crew members were not injured in the incidents. Some engine spare parts and personal belongings were stolen in one incident and generator spare parts were stolen in the other incident.
| Factors | Incident 1 | Incident 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Location: Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) | 8.8 nm off Pulau Cula, Indonesia | 3.5 nm off Pulau Cula, Indonesia |
| Type of Ship | Bulk carrier | Bulk carrier |
| Date/Time | 22 Apr 2025 at 2300 hrs | 25 Apr 2025 at 0300 hrs |
| Number of Perpetrators | 4 | Not known |
| Weapons | Knives | Not stated |
| Treatment of Crew | Tied up | No injuries |
| Significance Level | CAT 2 | CAT 4 |
| Items Stolen | Engine spare parts and personal belongings | Generator spare parts |
Area of concern
With the two incidents in SS, a total of 43 incidents were reported in SOMS since January 2025. The ReCAAP ISC advises ships to exercise enhanced vigilance when transiting 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 ensure 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
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With downgrading of the threat on the ‘Abduction of Crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’, 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).”
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Ships are also advised to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.
