In its weekly report for 9-15 October, ReCAAP ISC informed of three incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia. Two of the reported incidents occurred within the wider area of Kandla Port, India, and one in Tarahan Jetty, Indonesia.
According to the Indian Intelligence Bureau, over the course of three months it stated that Lashkar-e-Tayiba is training terrorists to commence sea borne attacks in India. According to local media, Lashkar-e-Tayiba is allegedly active in the past two months, while information suggests that many terrorists are being trained in deep sea diving.
According to the latest ReCAAP ISC report on piracy in Asia, a total of 64 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia during January-September 2018. Of these 64 incidents, 3 were incidents of piracy and 61 were incidents of armed robbery. This is an increase of 3%.
According to a report by ReCAAP ISC, perpetrators boarded the container ship ‘Maersk Newbury’ at Guayaquil River in Ecuador, on October 2. The perpetrators assaulted one of the crew, but all of the crewmembers escaped and took hide. There was no injury to the remaining crew and no items were stolen.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has started search rescue operations for the abducted 12 crew members onboard ‘MV Glarus’ which was hijacked off Bonny Island in Rivers State to ensure that they are found and released unconditionally.
Pirates kidnapped 12 crew from a Swiss merchant vessel on Saturday, 22 September in Nigeria, Massoel Shipping the ship’s operator informed. The ship was traveling between Lagos and the Port Harcourt. The attack took place about 45 nautical miles south west of Bonny Island.
On September 17, four armed robbers boarded an anchored product tanker, at Conakry Anchorage, Guinea. After the robbers boarded the ship, they started firing at the bridge windows and gained access into the accommodation. The crewmembers mustered in the citadel, until the boarders left. All crew is reported safe.
According to ReCAAP ISC, during 11-17 Sep 18, one incident of abduction of crew of the fishing trawler, Sri Dewi 1, in Sulu-Celebes Seas took place. In addition the report presents two incidents of armed robbery against ships that happened in Venezuela and Ghana.
Piracy incidents in the Sulu and Celebes Sea have been a cause of major concern for seafarers and the shipping industry in general, as crews kidnappings have been regularly seen by gangs in the area. There are various reports which suggest that maritime crime including armed robbery and piracy incidents in the region has seen an upward trend in the last few years.
A total of eight armed robberies against ships were reported in Asia in August 2018, according to ReCAAP ISC’s monthly report. The figures reveal a decrease compared to July, but a 5% increase in the total number of incidents reported during January-August 2018, compared with the same period in 2017.
