During 15-21 February 22, three CAT 41 incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported.
All three incidents occurred to ships while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait (SS). The crew was safe and nothing was stolen in all three incidents.
- The first incident occurred on 16 Feb to a bulk carrier while underway at approximately 3.6 nm northwest of Nongsa Point, Batam Island (Indonesia). The crew sighted two unauthorised persons escaping from the starboard quarter stern deck of the ship. A search on board the ship was conducted with no further sighting of the perpetrators.
- The second incident occurred on 17 Feb to a bulk carrier while underway at approximately 3.7 nm northwest of Nongsa Point, Batam Island (Indonesia). The crew sighted two unauthorised persons on the starboard side main deck of the ship. A search on board the ship was conducted with no further sighting of the perpetrators.
- The third incident occurred on 18 Feb to a tanker while underway at approximately 4.8 nm northwest of Nongsa Point, Batam Island (Indonesia). The crew sighted two unauthorised persons in the engine room. The ship alarm was raised and crew mustered. The perpetrators escaped in a boat. A search on board the ship was conducted with no further sighting of the perpetrators.
With these three incidents, a total of 10 incidents were reported in the SS since January 2022, including seven incidents in the eastbound lane of the TSS, one incident in the westbound lane, one incident in the precautionary area and one incident outside the TSS.
Incidents outside Asia
During 15-21 Feb 22, one incident outside Asia. The incident occurred to a container ship while anchored at pilot boarding area of Port Lafito, Haiti. The detailed description of the incident is tabulated in the attachment.
Abduction of crew in Sulu-Celebes Seas and Waters off Eastern Sabah
There is no incident of abduction of crew reported since the last incident in January 2020 up to today, and no crew is currently being held in captivity by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
The Philippine and Malaysian authorities continued to conduct pursuit operations and intensify military operations to neutralise the ASG. In 2021, the operations carried out by the Armed Forces of the Philippines had resulted in the neutralisation of some ASG subleaders and members. However, as Mundi Sawadjaan (one of the ASG Commanders responsible for the abduction of crew in the Sulu area) is still at large, the threat of abduction of crew from ships remains high, particularly in the areas of Sulu and nearby waters off Tawi-Tawi.
For this reason, ships to reroute from the area, where possible. Otherwise, ship masters and crew are strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the area, and report all incidents immediately to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia.
Recommendation
The ship master and crew to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, exercise vigilance and adopt relevant preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.