According to a report released by ReCAAp, a total total of nine piracy incidents have been reported until November 2017. Out of which, seven incidents were actual and the remaining were just attempted incidents.
The report also highlighted that the piracy incidents did not involve abduction of crew members or attempted to be abducted in the Sulu-Celebes Sea and waters off Eastern Sabah in November 2017.
The report also highlighted and raised concern over the increase in theft of oil cargo on 22 Nov 17, and there was an increase in the number of incidents occurred on board ships while anchored in the South China Sea (SCS).
Sequence of incidents:
NOVEMBER 2017:
In November 2017, a total of nine incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships (comprising seven actual incidents and two attempted incidents) were reported. The location of the incidents is shown in Map 1 (Page 6).
Compared to November 2016, the total number of incidents reported in November 2017 has decreased. A total of 12 incidents were reported in November 2016 compared to nine incidents reported in November 2017. Graph 1 shows the number of incidents reported each month during November 2016 to November 2017.
JANUARY-NOVEMBER 2017:
During January-November 2017, a total of 71 incidents were reported, of which 60 were actual incidents and 11 were attempted incidents. The number of incidents reported during January- November 2017 was the lowest among the 10-year reporting period. Compared to January- November 2016, there was a 9% decrease in the total number of incidents during January- November 2017; and 63% decrease compared to January-November 2015. Graph 2 shows the number of incidents reported during January-November of 2008-2017.
The improvement of the situation during January-November 2017 was at ports and anchorages in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam compared to the same period in 2016. However, there was an increase in the number of incidents reported at ports and anchorages in Bangladesh (Chittagong), Philippines (Manila and Batangas) and on ships while underway in the South China Sea (SCS) and Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) compared to the same period in 2016.
Level of Significance:
NOVEMBER 2017:
Of the seven actual incidents reported in November 2017, one was a CAT 1 incident, three were CAT 3 incidents and three were CAT 4 incidents. The CAT 1 incident involved the hijacking of barge, Ever Omega, which was towed by tug boat, Ever Prosper on 22 Nov 17 off Singkawang, Indonesia. The barge was eventually recovered but her cargo of Crude Palm Kernel Oil (CPKO) was missing. No incident of abduction of crew was reported in November 2017 since the last attempted incident that was reported in April 2017. The three CAT 3 incidents occurred on board ships anchored at Bangladesh (1), Indonesia (1) and in the SCS (1); and the three CAT 4 incidents occurred on board ships anchored in India (1) and in the SCS (2).
JANUARY-NOVEMBER 2017:
Of the 60 actual incidents reported during January-November 2017, six were CAT 1 incidents, four were CAT 2 incidents, 22 were CAT 3 incidents and 28 were CAT 4 incidents. Majority of the incidents reported during January-November 2017 were CAT 3 and CAT 4 incidents, which conforms to the trend observed for the same period in the past 10 years (January-November 2008-2017).
CAT 1 INCIDENTS:
The number of CAT 1 incidents reported during January-November 2017 have decreased by 50% compared to the same period in 2016. Of the six CAT 1 incidents reported during January-November 2017, three were incidents of abduction of crew for ransom and three were hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargo. Of the 12 CAT 1 incidents reported during January-November 2016, nine incidents were abduction of crew for ransom, and three were hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargo.
CAT 2 INCIDENTS:
The four CAT 2 incidents reported during January-November 2017 is the lowest among the 10-year reporting period.
CAT 3 AND CAT 4 INCIDENTS:
Majority of the CAT 3 and CAT 4 incidents occurred on board ships while anchored at ports and anchorages. In these incidents, the perpetrators boarded the ships under the cover of darkness and stole ship stores including paint, mooring ropes, fire hose nozzles, and engine spares. The perpetrators were opportunistic in nature, escaped immediately when sighted, and did not harm the crew.
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Source: ReCAAP
