Three incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia (one CAT 4 and two CAT 3 incidents ) were reported to the ReCAAP ISC, between 23rd and 29th July 2024, reports safety4sea.
All the three incidents occurred onboard bulk carriers while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS). Of concern was the occurrence of two incidents within an interval of three hours on the same day (29 Jul 24).
Area of concern
With the three incidents in SOMS, a total of 27 incidents were reported in the area since January 2024. The ReCAAP ISC advises ships to exercise enhanced vigilance when transiting SOMS and the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.
Against this backdrop, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts that have vital involvement in the maritime security of the Sulu-Celebes Seas, reviewed the threat situation and recommended further downgrading the threat level of ‘Abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ from ‘MODERATE’ to ‘MODERATE LOW’, which implies that ‘Incidents are unlikely to occur due to perpetrators’ perceived lack of capability to orchestrate an attack.
Update of ReCAAP ISC Advisory
- With downgrading of the threat on the ‘Abduction of Crew for ransom’ in the SuluCelebes seas by the PCG, ReCAAP ISC have updated its Advisory for ships to “exercise vigilance & adopt necessary preventive measures while transiting the area”.
- For ships transiting the area, the ship masters and crew are strongly encouraged to exercise extra vigilance and report all incidents immediately to
the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia.
Recommendations
Ship master and crew are to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, referring to the Poster on the Contact Details for Reporting of Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, exercise vigilance and adopt appropriate preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia; both produced by the ReCAAP ISC.
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Source: Safety4sea
