Asia Information Sharing Centre News

A total of 36 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships (comprising 30 actual incidents and six attempted incidents) were reported during January-June 2017 in Asia, said a report by Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC). The total number of incidents reported during January-June 2017 has decreased by 22% compared to the same period in 2016. A total of 46 incidents were reported during January-June 2016. Of serious concern was the occurrence of incidents involving the abduction of crew from ships while underway in the Sulu-Celebes Sea and waters o Eastern Sabah.

In the light of three incidents where the crew of tug boats were abducted in the waters off Eastern Sabah and Southern Philippines, the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) published a special report on the ‘Abducting of Crew from Tug Boats in Waters off Eastern Sabah and Southern Philippines’. Between March and July 2016, six incidents occurred on board five tug boats towing barges and one fishing trawler, says the report. The report provides an update of the situation, which focuses on the modus operandi of the perpetrators, the status of the abducted crew and the actions taken to combat the events that have occurred. As a result of these six incidents, 33 crew members have been abducted.

According to a report from Bernama.com, three pirates aborted their attempt to rob a Singapore-registered tanker anchored off Tanjong Ramunia, Johor early August 15 after they saw the ship's crew was ready for them. The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) said pirates climbed onboard the tanker Kirana Tritya, then departed after the general alarm was raised. (Source: www.bernama.com)