ReCAAP ISC report shows a three-fold increase of piracy incidents in Asia during Q1, 2020, says an article published in Safety4Sea.
Q1 2020 piracy report
ReCAAP ISC launched its Q1 2020 report concerning piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia.
The report showed a three-fold increase of the incidents between January-March 2020, in comparison to the same months last year.
Incidents between January-March 2020
During January-March 2020, a total of 29 incidents of armed robbery against ships
- 28 actual incidents and
- one attempted incident
were reported in Asia during January-March 2020 compared to 10 incidents
- nine actual incidents and
- one attempted incident
during January-March 2019.
Armed robbery reported
It is highlighted that all reported incidents were armed robbery against vessels, while no piracy incident was reported.
Incidents reported
The increase of incidents was observed in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore Strait.
Bangladesh: Three incidents during January-March 2020 compared to no incident during January-March 2019.
India: Six incidents during January-March 2020 compared to no incident during the same period in 2019.
Indonesia: Six incidents during January-March 2020 compared to three incidents during the same period in 2019.
The Philippines: Four incidents reported during January-March 2020 compared to two incidents during the same period in 2019.
Singapore Strait: Nine incidents during January-March 2020 compared to two incidents during the same period in 2019.
Incidents of greater concern
The report highlights that the rise of incidents onboard vessels while underway in the Singapore Strait during January-March 2020 is of great concern.
Incidents reported in Indonesia and the Philippines occurred on board ships at anchor/berth, as shown in the graph herebelow
Where the incidents occurred
In addition, the chart below presents the location of the incidents occurred to ships while underway.
All the incidents in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) and the Sulu-Celebes Seas occurred on board ships while underway.
Improvements seen and reported
Despite the challenges expressed above, the report notes that there was an improvement seen at the ports/ anchorages in China, while there was no incident reported at the country during January-March 2020 compared to three incidents during January-March 2019.
What are the alarming issues?
ReCAAP focuses on the alarming issue of crew abduction, which remains a concern, in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah is high as demonstrated by the occurrence of an incident on 17 January 20 off Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia. Five of the crew abducted from the fishing trawler are still held in captivity.
Armed robberies in Asia
February
ReCAAP ISC informed in February that 10 armed robberies against ships were reported in Asia.
Out of which four incidents occurred in India alone and another four occurred in the Singapore Strait, making a total of eight incidents in the region within 2020.
January 2020
January saw 11 armed robberies against ships were reported in Asia.
Two alarming issues, concerning the recurrence of four incidents in the Singapore Strait and one crew abduction off Malaysia in January 2020.
Need to enhance surveillance
In view of the rise of the accidents, ReCAAP ISC highlights the need for law enforcement agencies to:
- enhance surveillance,
- increase patrols and
- respond promptly to incidents reported by ships in order to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.
To learn more about ReCAAP’s Q1 2020 report, click here.
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Source: Safety4Sea
