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Over the past week, 30 December 2025 – 5 January 2026, no incident of piracy or armed robbery against ships in Asia.

Ships shall to continue to intensify vigilance, maintain a sharp look-out while anchoring or transiting areas of concern, including the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and report all incidents to the law enforcement agencies immediately; and the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.

Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah

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Over the past week, 23-29 December, one incident of armed robbery against ships in Asia.

One CAT 4 incident of armed robbery against ships in Asia. The incident occurred onboard a tug boat and barge while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait (SS). The crew members were not injured while some scrap metals were stolen.

Area of concern

With this incident reported in SS, a total of 107 incidents were reported in SOMS since January 2025. The ships shall  to exercise enhanced vigilance when transiting SOMS and the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.

Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah

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The Nautical Institute draws lessons learned from an incident where an oil boom chain became entagled. 

A tanker was in port loading. The Master requested permission from the port to carry out a boat drill. During the drill the lifeboat was lowered to the water and the motor was tested.

Because the oil boom surrounding the tanker was very close to the ship, the oil boom chain became entangled in the lifeboat propellor.

The chain had to be cut to free the propellor and the oil boom was replaced. No other damage was incurred.

Lessons learned

  • Avoid holding drills concurrently with cargo operation.
  • Follow simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) procedures. In this case, company procedures required that the Head Office be informed and a SIMOPS risk assessment conducted, which was not done.
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The objective of the IMO’s Revised Recommendations is to enhance safety during enclosed space entry, reduce persistent fatalities, and strengthen the process of hazard identification, risk assessment, and crew empowerment.

These Recommendations may be applied to all ship types and provide guidance for ship operators, crew, port workers, and other shore personnel involved in operations on board.