ReCAAP ISC reports three piracy incidents in Asia during April

The situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia improved during January-April 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. 21 incidents were reported during January-April 2018 compared to 31 incidents reported during the same period in 2017; a decrease of 32% in the number of incidents. There was no incident of abduction in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and no hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargo in April 2018.

More specifically:

• A total of three incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in April 2018;
• Of these, one was an incident of piracy and two were incidents of armed robbery against ships;
• There was no incident of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Sea; and no incident of hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargo;
• Of the three incidents reported in April 2018, two incidents occurred on board ships while underway and one incident on board ship at anchor;
• Of the three incidents reported in April 2018, one was a CAT 3 incident that occurred at Muara Berau anchorage, Indonesia, one was a CAT 4 incident that occurred in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (off Pulau Batam, Indonesia) and one was an attempted piracy incident occurred in the South China Sea;
• There was no CAT 1 or CAT 2 incidents reported in April 2018;
• The severity of incidents had lessened in April 2017 and April 2018 compared to the same period of 2009-2016.

However, of concern was an incident in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of Singapore Strait on 21 April 18. This was the first actual incident reported in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) during January-April 2018 after two failed attempted boarding carried out in January 2018. A total of three incidents (one actual and two attempted) were reported in SOMS during January-April 2018 compared to one attempted incident reported during January-April of 2017.

ReCAAP ISC called ships transiting the areas of concern to be vigilant, maintain look-out for suspicious approach by boats, report all incidents to the nearest coastal States and flag State immediately, keep up with the latest situation and implement preventive measures recommended in the Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia.

Source: safety4sea