ReCAAP ISC, concerning crew abduction in Sulu-Celebes seas and waters off Eastern Sabah provides updated information on the situation of abduction in the report ‘Regional Cooperation Agreement to Combat Piracy and Armed Robbery against ships in Asia’.
Specifically, a total of three incidents, comprising two actual incidents and one attempted incident, were reported in 2018 compared to seven incidents in 2017 and 18 incidents in 2016.
Although the number of the incidents seems to be decreased, the abduction of crew for ransom remains a major threat and challenge in the area.
As stated in the report, the majority of the abductions occurred on ships of low speed and low free board such as fishing trawlers and tug boats (seven fishing trawlers and six tug boats were boarded out of 17 actual incidents).
Although most attempts were unsuccessful, perpetrators attempted to attack bigger ships as well.
The ReCAAP ISC urges the shipping industry to give serious consideration to the Advisory issued by ReCAAP ISC on 21 Nov 16.
