The ReCAAP ISC convened a meeting with representatives from the shipping industry to discuss strategies for mitigating risks during ship transit in Areas of Concern in Asia. These areas, characterized by high vessel traffic and narrow straits, are known for increased armed robbery incidents. The meeting aimed to explore effective measures that ships can implement to enhance their security and reduce the likelihood of such attacks, according to ReCAAP.
Joint Efforts
The Singapore Police Coast Guard briefed participants on its joint efforts with law enforcement agencies of littoral States of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) to deter and combat sea robbery, as well as ship security measures vessels can adopt when transiting areas of concern.
Hafnia Pool Pte Ltd shared a case study of a pilferage incident onboard a tanker, and action taken by the crew in preventing boarding by the perpetrators. The ReCAAP ISC updated participants on the situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia (ARAS). The Centre reported a 19% decrease in the number of incidents in Asia in the first nine months of 2024, compared to last year. The Straits of Malacca and Singapore witnessed a 38% decrease in robbery incidents, a significant improvement in comparison with incidents of 2023.
ReCAAP ISC Executive Director, Mr Krishnaswamy Natarajan said, “It is encouraging to see a remarkable improvement in the sea robbery situation in the SOMS. This can be attributed to proactive monitoring and enforcement by the law enforcement agencies of the coastal States and enhanced vigilance by the shipping community. I urge the law enforcement agencies to keep up the good work and not let their guard down, to deter would-be criminals and keep the sea lanes safe for international shipping and trade.”
Instilling Awareness
During the dialogue session, participants deliberated on the efforts adopted by the ship crew, the use of technology to deter unauthorized ship boarding, and the need to instill awareness among crew in evidence collection and preservation to assist in follow-on investigations.
Also discussed the potential coordination role which ship agents can play in assisting local authorities with investigations, and facilitating the ships to proceed to the next port without delay and incurring financial loss. There was also 2 deliberation on the IMO “insider threat” tool kit for the shipping industry to identify employees who might be involved in or facilitate security incidents due to ignorance, complacency, or malicious intent.
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Source: ReCAAP
