- Ships Advised to Stay Vigilant in Key Areas.
- No Crew Abductions in Sulu-Celebes Seas for Fifth Year.
- Threat Level Downgraded to LOW by Philippine Coast Guard.
Over the past week, from October 8 to 13, there were no reported incidents of piracy or armed robbery against ships in Asia, according to the ReCAAP ISC, reports Safety4Sea.
Areas of Concern
The ReCAAP ISC urges all vessels to stay extra vigilant and keep a keen eye while anchoring or passing through high-risk areas, such as the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. It’s crucial to report any incidents to law enforcement agencies right away.
For the fifth year in a row, there have been no reports of crew abductions in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and the waters off Eastern Sabah. The last such incident took place on January 17, 2020.
Threat Level Downgrade
In January 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts, further downgrading the threat level of ‘abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ to ‘LOW’, meaning: “no information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence, incidents are not expected to occur”.
Continued Vigilance
The ReCAAP ISC, in its advisory on 14 February 2025, advised ships to: “exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the operation centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM)”.
Recommendations for Ship Masters and Crew
Ship masters and their crews are encouraged to report any incidents of piracy or armed robbery to the nearest coastal State and their flag State. They should refer to the poster that provides contact details for reporting these incidents in Asia. It’s important to remain vigilant and implement suitable preventive measures, using the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia, both created by the ReCAAP ISC.
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Source: Safety4Sea
