Two incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC, between 6 and 12 August 2024.
The two CAT 4 incidents occurred in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Straits (SS). One incident occurred onboard a barge while underway northwest of Pulau Bintan on 5 Aug 2024. The other incident occurred onboard a bulk carrier while underway northwest of Pulau Cula on 11 Aug 2024. Details of the incidents are shown in the table below.
Area of concern
With the two incidents in SS, a total of 30 incidents have been reported in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) since January 2024. The ReCAAP ISC advises ships to exercise enhanced vigilance when transiting SOMS, and the littoral states should 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
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.
Against this backdrop, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with other stakeholders involved in the maritime security of 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 to occur due to the perceived lack of capability of perpetrators to orchestrate an attack; however, minimal damage is expected to the vessel and crew in case of an attack.
Update of ReCAAP ISC advisory
- With the downgrading of the threat on ‘Abduction of Crew for Ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ by the PCG, the 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 exercise extra vigilance and report all incidents immediately to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia.
