From February 18th to 24th, there were three reported armed robbery incidents against ships in Asia, as documented by the ReCAAP ISC. Two of these incidents were classified as CAT 3, and one was classified as CAT 4, reports Safety4sea.
Area Of Concern
There’s a concerning increase in incidents in the Singapore Strait (SS). Since January 2025, 17 incidents have been reported in SOMS, nearly triple the number from the same period in 2024. The ReCAAP ISC advises ships to increase vigilance and report incidents to coastal authorities and urges littoral states to enhance patrols and enforcement.
Conversely, the Philippine government’s military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) have been effective, leading to the dismantling of their support base. As a result, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with other stakeholders, has reassessed the threat level of “Abduction of crew for ransom in a recent incident” and recommended downgrading it from “MODERATE LOW” to “LOW,” indicating a decreased likelihood of such incidents.
Recommendations Given
Ship masters and crews are strongly advised to report all piracy and armed robbery incidents to the nearest coastal state and their flag state. They should utilize the ReCAAP ISC’s “Poster on the Contact Details for Reporting of Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia” for reporting procedures.
Furthermore, they are urged to maintain heightened vigilance and implement appropriate preventive measures as outlined in the ReCAAP ISC’s “Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.”
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Safety4sea
