The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published its Monthly Piracy Report detailing incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships for the month of March 2024. These incidents were reported by IMO Member States or international organizations in consultative status, reports Safety4sea.
1. Incidents in Territorial Waters
Incident 1: Tug Boat in Malaysia
- Incident: While towing a barge, the master noticed a sampan alongside the barge. Three perpetrators were seen leaving the barge with copper coils and fiber boards. The crew was mustered and accounted for, with no injuries. The master reported the incident to the Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) East. The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard were notified.
- Location: Malacca Strait, south of Tanjung Ramunia, Johor, Malaysia, in the westbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), Malaysia.
Incident 2: Bulk Carrier in Indonesia
- Incident: Five robbers armed with pistols boarded the ship, took the duty engineer hostage, tied his hands, and placed him face-down. The general alarm was raised, a PA announcement was made, and the crew was mustered. The robbers escaped with stolen engine spares. The duty engineer was later safe.
- Location: Malacca Strait, Singapore Straits, Indonesia.
Incident 3: Tug Boat in Malaysia
- Incident: While underway, the master reported to Singapore VTIS East via VHF Channel 10 that three to four perpetrators were alongside the unmanned barge in three sampans. The alarm was raised, and the crew was mustered. The perpetrators left the barge, stealing some scrap metals. No injuries were reported. The RSN’s MSTF and Singapore Police Coast Guard were informed.
- Location: Malacca Strait, approximately 4.3 nm east of Tanjung Penyusop, Malaysia, in the westbound lane of the TSS, Malaysia.
2. Incidents in Port Areas
Incident 4: Bulk Carrier in Indonesia
- Incident: While berthed, three robbers armed with knives boarded the ship, entered the engine room, and took the duty crew hostage, tying his hands. The robbers escaped with stolen ship’s engine spare parts. The incident was reported to the local agent and relayed to the Indonesian Marine Police HQ by PRC.
- Location: Malacca Strait, Kuala Tanjung Port, Indonesia.
Incident 5: Container Ship in Bangladesh
- Incident: While anchored at Chattogram Outer Anchorage, the duty watchman noticed two perpetrators onboard who escaped in a country boat. They stole 600 liters of paint, 150 meters of safety chain, 16 brass fire hydrant caps, and 2 fire hoses. The Bangladesh Coast Guard and Port Control Authority recovered the stolen items and returned them to the ship master.
- Location: Indian Ocean, Chattogram Outer Anchorage, Bangladesh.
Incident 6: Container Ship in Guyana
- Incident: During berthing maneuvers at Georgetown Port, Guyana, three unauthorized persons armed with knives boarded the ship. The alarm was raised, and the crew mustered, causing the intruders to escape. The incident was reported to the VTS, and a patrol boat and security team searched the vessel.
- Location: South America (A), Georgetown Port, Guyana.
Incident 7: Product Tanker in Indonesia
- Incident: While anchored at Balikpapan Anchorage, Indonesia, four perpetrators boarded the tanker through the anchor chain, broke into the forecastle store, and escaped with ship’s stores and properties. The incident was reported to Balikpapan Port Control.
- Location: Malacca Strait, Balikpapan Anchorage, Indonesia.
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Source: Safety4sea
