During the period 28 June – 4 July 22, two incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia (comprising one CAT 21 incident and one CAT 42 incident) were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.
The CAT 2 incident occurred to a ship while underway in the Singapore Strait (SS), while the CAT 4 incident occurred to a ship while berthed at Belawan Port, Indonesia.
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The first incident in the SS occurred to a bulk carrier while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme on 4 Jul 22. The ship’s engineer sighted six unauthorised persons armed with a pistol in the engine room.
The ship alarm was raised and crew mustered. The master reported the incident to Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) West. The stolen items were engine spare part. All crew members were safe.
The second incident at Belawan Port, Indonesia occurred to a petroleum/chemical tanker on 29 Jun 22. In the incident, the duty crew sighted two unknown personnel leaving the ship in an open boat.
He informed the officer on watch immediately and conducted a search on board the ship. No perpetrators were sighted. The incident was reported to the shipping company and local agent. Several units of fire nozzles, hydrant caps and hydrant couplings were missing. The crew was not injured and the ship not damaged.
Recommendation
The ReCAAP ISC urges ship master and crew to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, exercise vigilance and adopt relevant preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.
