The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published its Monthly Piracy Report for the month of May 2024, reports Safety4sea.
The following acts of piracy and armed robbery are allegedly committed against ships during the month of May 2024, reported by IMO Member States or international organizations in consultative status.
In international waters
Fishing vessel Iran (Islamic Republic of)
The incident: Around six to seven pirates in a skiff armed with AK-47 boarded and hijacked the fishing vessel underway. The pirates released the 21 crew and the fishing vessel after food and logistical supplies were stolen. An Indian Naval Warship boarded and escorted the vessel to a safe distance.
Location: ARABIAN SEA Around 60nm East of Raas Cabaad, Somalia
Product tanker, Palau
The incident: Ten pirates armed with AK-47 boarded a tanker underway and took control of the bridge. All crew mustered on the bridge where the pirates tied up their hands and legs. The pirates ordered the 2/E and 4/E to stop engines and drift with the intention of stealing the cargo and bunkers. While waiting for the off-take vessel the pirates stole crew and ship properties. They then moved all the crew into the steering gear room and informed the crew that there were explosive devices fixed on all doors and the crew could only exit after two hours. Once the crew emerged from the steering gear room, no pirates or explosives were found. The pirates had damaged the communication, internet, navigational equipment and the air control pipes for the main engine and cylinder oil flow valves before escaping. The crew managed to sail the vessel to the next port. No cargo or bunkers were stolen.
Location: WEST AFRICA Around 363nm SSW of Nova Sintra, Cabo Verde
General cargo ship, Liberia
The incident: Armed pirates in two small crafts boarded a ship underway. The crew took shelter in the citadel. A warship proceeded to the location to assist and a helicopter arrived at the scene. The pirates managed to escape. Crew and the ship are reported safe.
Location: ARABIAN SEA, Around 400nm SE of Mogadishu, Somalia.
General cargo ship, Ghana
The incident: About nine pirates boarded a ship underway. They escaped with stolen GMDSS equipment, ship provisions, crew personal effects and kidnapped the Master and Chief Engineer. Remaining crew sailed the vessel to a safe port.
Location: WEST AFRICA, Around 28nm SW of of Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.
Product tanker, Marshall Islands
The incident: Around five to six pirates dressed in black clothes armed with AK47 and RPG in a skiff approached the tanker underway. Grapnel hook and ladder sighted. Master sounded ship’s horn and altered course. As the skiff continued to approach the armed guards showed their weapons. The pirates opened fire towards tanker and the armed team retaliated by firing four rounds causing a fire to break out on the boat. The tanker continued its voyage.
Location: ARABIAN SEA, Gulf of Aden
In territorial waters
Bulk carrier, Singapore
The incident: Three robbers armed with a rod boarded a ship underway. Duty crew noticed the robbers entering the engine room. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the crew alertness, the robbers escaped empty handed.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT, Singapore Straits, Indonesia
Bulk carrier, Liberia
The incident: While underway, the master reported to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) on VHF that five perpetrators armed with knives were sighted in the steering gear room, with the oiler being restrained. The alarm was raised and crew mustered. All crew members were accounted for, with no injury to crew and no assistance required. Some engine spare parts were stolen. Safety navigational broadcast was initiated. The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard were notified. Information was shared with the Indonesian authority. The ship proceeded to Singapore anchorage to pick up pilot. Upon the ship’s arrival, Singapore Police Coast Guard conducted an inspection onboard.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT, Approximately 3 nm west of Pulau Cula (Indonesia), in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation S Indonesia
Tug, Malaysia
The incident: While the tug boat towing barge was underway, perpetrators in five small boats came alongside and boarded the barge. The alarm was raised and the crew was instructed to stay within the accommodation. The master reported the incident to Singapore VTIS. At about 1745 hrs, the perpetrators left the barge with some scrap metals and escaped in their boats. The crew was not injured. Safety navigational broadcast was initiated. The RSN’s MSTF and Singapore Police Coast Guard were notified. Information of the incident was shared with the Indonesian and Malaysian authorities.
Location: SOUTH CHINA SEA, Approximately 5.23 nm from Tompok Utara Beacon, Malaysia (South China Sea) Malaysia
Bulk carrier, Hong Kong, China
The incident: While underway, the ship’s crew discovered that engine room spare parts had been stolen after sailing from Singapore. According to shipboard CCTV footage, four perpetrators in tshirts and shorts had boarded the ship via starboard quarter from a small craft. The perpetrators unlocked and opened the watertight door in after poop deck, entered the engine room and went directly to the spare parts locker. The perpetrators stole engine room spare parts for auxiliary engine and fuel oil purifier, and escaped. The crew was not injured. The master reported the incident to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS). The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN), Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard were informed.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT, Approximately 6.5 nm from Pulau Iyu Kecil (Indonesia), in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore Indonesia
In Port Area
Chemical tanker, Singapore
The incident: While anchored and awaiting loading operation, the AB was patrolling the deck when he noticed a wooden boat at the port anchor cable area. He reported the sighting to the Officer-OnWatch (OOW) immediately and blew the whistle to raise alarm. Three perpetrators armed with knives subsequently boarded the ship from the main deck. They threatened the AB with a machete, took the store keys, walkie-talkie and torch from the AB, and stole two fire hose nozzles. The 2nd watchman saw the incident and reported the situation to OOW, who raised the ship alarm. Upon hearing the alarm, the perpetrators escaped. The crew was not injured.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT, Zone 3 Anchorage, Belawan, Indonesia Indonesia
Container ship, Portugal
The incident: While anchored, two perpetrators boarded the ship at the forecastle. The 2nd mate spotted the perpetrators and raised the alarm. A check was conducted of the ship’s equipment and items, and found some items stolen. The crew was not injured. The incident was reported to the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Port Authority.
The Philippine authorities proceeded to the location of the ship immediately and verified the veracity of the report. The Philippine authorities conducted follow-up operations at nearby junkshop, where the perpetrators reportedly sold the stolen items.
Location: SOUTH CHINA SEA, Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) Anchorage area, Manila, Philippines
Chemical tanker, Liberia
The incident: While anchored, the AB on rounds spotted movement on the poop deck, raised the alarm and reported six perpetrators had boarded the ship and escaped into the water. The shore watchmen were found tied and unable to move. The paint store lock was found broken, and paint drums, messenger rope and heaving line were stolen. The incident was reported to the local authorities including the port control, Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) and Bangladesh Navy. BCG investigated the incident, and conducted combing operations in the vicinity and shore areas. The perpetrators were apprehended, all stolen items recovered and handed over to the ship.
Location: INDIAN OCEAN, Chattogram Anchorage A20, Bangladesh
Container ship, Antigua and Barbuda
The incident: Unnoticed, robbers boarded a berthed ship, stole the rescue boat outboard engine and escaped. The theft was noticed after the vessel sailed.
Location: WEST AFRICA, Conakry Port, Guinea
General cargo ship, Panama
The incident: While anchored and awaiting cargo, a deck officer on watch duty spotted a small boat alongside the port stern of the ship. At the same time, three perpetrators were seen near the funnel. The deck officer shouted at the perpetrators immediately and reported to the duty officer, who informed the master. The alarm was sounded and an announcement was made about the presence of the perpetrators onboard. The duty officer subsequently noticed the three perpetrators jumping off the ship and escaped in the small boat. All crew members were safe and nothing was stolen.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT, Dumai Anchorage, Indonesia
Bulk carrier, Hong Kong, China
The incident: While anchored, four perpetrators armed with knives and iron bars boarded the bulk carrier from a wooden craft. Three of the perpetrators wore long-sleeved black tops, pants and caps, while one perpetrator wore a half-sleeved t-shirt and shorts. The perpetrators stole ship’s engine spares and escaped. The crew was not injured. The incident was reported to Dumai VTS via VHF and the agent registered a complaint with the police. The local police boarded the ship and investigation is in progress.
Location: MALACCA STRAIT, Dumai Anchorage, Indonesia
General cargo ship, Liberia
The incident: While anchored, a duty ordinary seaman (OS) patrolling the forecastle area spotted a perpetrator climbing over the ship railings using a rope. He wore a dark blue t-shirt and pants. The duty OS shouted at the perpetrator immediately, and reported to the Officer of the Watch (OOW). The perpetrator umped back immediately into a wooden boat, with two other perpetrators in the boat, and escaped. Nothing was stolen. The master reported the incident to local VTS via Channel 16, as well as the Company Security Officer (CSO).
Location: SOUTH CHINA SEA, Phu My Anchorage, Vietnam Viet Nam
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Source: Safety4sea
