- Incidents in Singapore Strait Contribute to Rising Concerns in SOMS.
- ReCAAP ISC Urges Enhanced Vigilance in High-Risk Areas.
- Threat Level in Sulu-Celebes Seas Downgraded to Moderate Low.
Over the last week, four incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC. There were two CAT 2 incidents, one on 13 January 2025 aboard a bulk carrier anchored at Payra Outer Anchorage, Bangladesh. The other CAT 2 incident was on 19 January 2025 at sea while the bulk carrier was underway off Batu Berhanti, Indonesia, travelling eastbound along the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait (SS), reports Safety4Sea.
CAT 3 Incident
A CAT 3 happened on 16 January 2025 at sea while the bulk carrier was underway off Pulau Cula, Indonesia, also to the eastbound lane of the TSS of the SS. Another CAT 4 incident occurred on 17 January 2025 when a chemical tanker anchored at Belawan Anchorage Area No. 6, Indonesia, reported an incident onboard. These incidents in the Singapore Strait add up to four incidents that have been reported in the SOMS since January 2025.
The ReCAAP ISC has encouraged vessels to be more vigilant when traversing SOMS and has asked littoral States to heighten patrols and law enforcement in these waters.
Decrease in Threat Level on Sulu-Celebes Seas
The Philippine Government’s efforts in Zamboanga, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, including continuous military operations, have resulted in the dismantling of the support base and the neutralisation of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the Sulu archipelago. Subsequently, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) collaborated with stakeholders and counterparts involved in maritime security in the Sulu-Celebes Seas to review the threat situation.
Based on this review, the threat level of “Abduction of Crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas” has been further downgraded from “MODERATE” to “MODERATE LOW.” This downgrade signifies that incidents are now considered unlikely due to the perpetrators’ diminished capability to orchestrate attacks. However, it also acknowledges that minimal damage to vessels and crew may still occur in the rare event of an attack.
Updated ReCAAP ISC Advisory
With the downgrading of the threat level, the ReCAAP ISC has updated its advisory for ships transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas. Ship masters and crews are advised to “exercise vigilance and adopt necessary preventive measures while transiting the area.”
Additionally, it is strongly encouraged that all incidents be reported immediately to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia.
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Source: Safety4Sea
