The ReCAAP ISC (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre) has reported a single Category 3 (CAT 3) incident of armed robbery against ships in Asia during the week of 4–10 November.
Armed Robbery Incident Details
The reported incident occurred on 19 September 2025 at 0300 hours at the Port of Tanjung Priok, Indonesia.
- Vessel Type and Location: A large dry cargo vessel while at berth.
- Perpetrators: Six individuals armed with knives.
- Outcome: No crew members were injured, but some generator parts and ship stores were stolen.
- Severity: The CAT 3 classification indicates a less significant incident where perpetrators may be armed and threaten the crew, but physical harm is usually avoided.
The ReCAAP ISC advises ships to exercise enhanced vigilance and step up watch-keeping when at ports and anchorages, and urges the coastal State to increase patrols and enforcement in the area.
Abduction of Crew Situation Update
The situation regarding the abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah continues to show significant improvement.
- Trend: For the fifth consecutive year, there has been no report of an abduction incident in this region. The last incident occurred on 17 January 2020.
- Threat Level Downgrade: In January 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with other stakeholders, further downgraded the threat level for ‘Abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ to ‘LOW’.
- Meaning of ‘LOW’: This rating signifies that no information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack, and therefore, incidents are not expected to occur.
- ReCAAP ISC Advisory: Ships transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas are advised to exercise vigilance, report incidents to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), and maintain communication with relevant authorities.
General Recommendations
Ship masters and crew are strongly encouraged to:
- Report All Incidents: Report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State.
- Adopt Preventive Measures: Exercise vigilance and adopt appropriate preventive measures, taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.
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Source: Safety4sea
