Information Sharing Centre News

ReCAAP ISC has issued the August 2019 Report on the situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia which notes that a total of eight incidents was reported in Asia in August and that of these eight incidents, two were piracy incidents and six were incidents of armed robbery. There wer no reports of the abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah; and there were no hijackings of ships for the theft of oil cargo but the abduction of crew for ransom in theSulu-Celebes Seas and the waters off Eastern Sabah remains a serious concern.

ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) and Indian Coast Guard (ISG) are co-hosting an international workshop in New Delhi, India to deepen knowledge on issues related to piracy and armed robbery.Having 20 countries as its members, ReCAAP is the first regional Government-to-Government agreement that deals with the issues of piracy and armed robbery at sea in Asia.Designating ICG as the point of focus for ReCAAP within India, the nation has played an active role in establishment and functioning of ReCAAPISC along with Japan and Singapore.This year’s Capacity Building Workshop emphasises on knowledge of the role and functions of ReCAAP Focal Points in combating piracy and armed robbery against ships…

ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) and Philippine Coast Guard this week co-organised a meeting between government agencies and the shipping industry to enhance maritime safety and security in the Sulu-Celebes seas and waters off eastern Sabah.The meeting brought together key littoral stakeholders including relevant government agencies in the Philippines, the Philippine shipping industry, the Indonesia Coast Guard (BAKAMLA), as well as members of the diplomatic community in Manila to review the current situation in the Sulu-Celebes Seas, take stock of past and current efforts to improve maritime safety and security, and explore ways…

A total of 40 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships (comprising 29 actual incidents and 11 attempted incidents) were reported in Asia during January-June 2018 compared to 47 incidents (comprising 40 actual incidents and seven attempted incidents) during January-June 2017.ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) in its Half-Yearly (January to June 2018) Report said that it was the lowest number of incidents reported among the 10-year reporting period of January-June of 2009-2018.This accounts for a 15% decrease in the number of incidents reported during January-June 2018 compared to January-June 2017. Of the 40 incidents reported during January-June 2018…

The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre and the Indian Coast Guard have commenced the 2017 Capacity Building Workshop in New Delhi, India. Themed “Striding Over Domestic Challenges,” this year’s workshop draws ReCAAP Focal Points from maritime enforcement and government agencies across Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United States. Participants will pool case studies drawn from recent incidents from their respective countries, discuss challenges, and share best practices to effectively deal with the evolving patterns of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA Japan) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), in cooperation with the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC), jointly launched the inaugural Capacity Building Executive Programme on combating piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia in Singapore. The Capacity Building Executive Programme—targeted at senior-level personnel with 10 to 15 years of experience and above in maritime enforcement—will see ReCAAP Contracting Parties from ASEAN (Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), together with representatives from Indonesia and Malaysia as dialogue partners, participate in a 10-day training held both in Singapore and Japan from September 27 to October 6, 2017.

The safety of navigation is vital to the safety, security and economic activities of all stakeholders traversing sea routes in Asia—the region with some of the busiest seas in the world. Recognising this shared interest, the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre and Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 24, 2017 in London to boost the fight against piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia. The MOU will see the Information Sharing Centre of ReCAAP, the first regional government-to-government agreement to promote and enhance cooperation against piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia…

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.

Singapore endorsed the roadmap and strategies to strengthen Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery (ReCAAP)  Information Sharing Centre (ISC) as a Centre of Excellence for Information Sharing on piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia by 2020. Singapore, as a Contracting Party to the ReCAAP and host to the ReCAAP ISC, has participated in the 11th Governing Council meeting held from 14-16th March 2017. The Roadmap was the result of several rounds of consultations and discussions amongst Governors, representatives from the Contracting Parties and the Shipping Industry. The Roadmap comprises among other things: a) Use of Data Analytics for ‘Insight of incidents’.

Kenyan officials involved in maritime law enforcement are taking part in a workshop and scenario-based simulation exercise in Mombassa, Kenya (31 January – 3 February). The International Maritime Organization (IMO)-led event will enhance inter-agency cooperation in the country and promote a whole of Government approach in dealing with maritime security challenges. The workshop, organized with the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), brings together key stakeholders in Kenya to discuss practical, concrete steps to ensure effective coordination in combating maritime crimes – through information sharing, unified command, and enhanced maritime domain awareness.

A meeting in Singapore (11-12 January) has seen African and Asian countries join efforts to promote greater networking and communications across anti-piracy contact points in the two continents. Speaking at the meeting, International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Head of Maritime Security, Javier Yasnikouski, commended the initiative, saying that the efforts contribute directly to IMO’s work to raise awareness of maritime security issues that have an impact on international trade and the welfare of seafarers; and encourage a co-operative approach amongst IMO Member States and other partner organizations. The event was organized by the…

The inaugural Meeting of Anti-Piracy Contact Points and Workshop on Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships involving participants from Africa and Asia was held in Singapore today. Organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre (ISC), the two-day meeting gathered about 20 participants to foster closer linkages amongst anti-piracy contact points to enable more effective information sharing and communication. Timely sharing and dissemination of information can often play a decisive role in deterring incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships.

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.

While the matter of maritime piracy has seemingly subdued from its high profile peaks of a few years ago, Stuart Edmonston, Head of Loss Prevention at UK P&I Club, together with Hellenic War Risks and Terra Firma Risk Management, highlight the growth of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and considers the reasons behind the rise in kidnaps for ransom. “The Gulf of Guinea is understood to be the most dangerous region in the world for seafarers. A report by Oceans Beyond Piracy* revealed that there have been 32 kidnaps for ransom during 2016 in the Gulf of Guinea…

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ReCAPP) May 2016 report  says that only eight incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia for the month, down 65 percent from May last year. Between January and May 2016, a total of 38 incidents were reported in Asia, and this accounts for a 56% decrease in overall number of incidents compared to January-May 2015 when 87 incidents were reported. The number of incidents reported during January-May 2016 is the lowest among the five-year reporting period of January-May of 2012-2016. Of the eight incidents reported in May 2016, one was Category 1 incident involving the hijacking of product tanker Hai Soon 12 off Pulau Belitung, Indonesia on 7 May 16.

Pirates have attacked the Liberian-flagged 4,360 TEU CMA CGM Turquoise, kidnapping two crew members off the coast of Nigeria, with the remainder of the crew said to be safe. Turquoise, managed by Dioryx Maritime Corp. in Greece, was stormed late on Monday as it travelled between Nigeria's commercial hub Lagos and Douala in Cameroon. According to Ghana-based antipiracy agency Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre (MTISC-GOG), the ship  was boarded in waters about 30 nm off the coast of the Niger Delta. The captain activated the SSAS and the crew retreated to the citadel, but two were captured and kidnapped before they could enter.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) Thursday reaffirmed its support for Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery (ReCAAP), highlighting the "instrumental role" the organisation has played in addressing piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia. The MPA, host to the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC), notes that ReCAAP's membership has risen from 14 contracting parties in 2006 to 20 this year, a development that the MPA says is a testament to the organisation's persisting relevance and importance in the region's efforts in anti-piracy. Andrew added: "Singapore will continue to invest in efforts to enhance the safety and security of waterways in the region.

The Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) was in Ghana January 18-21 to identify potential areas of cooperation that may promote maritime growth in Ghana and, simultaneously, be of benefit to the Danish business sector. The purpose of the cooperation between the Danish and Ghanian authorities is to use the Danish experiences and positions of strength to build a framework for sustainable growth and employment in the Ghanian maritime sector. Ghana is one of the countries where the DMA…

Singapore-based anti-piracy agency, ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) has recorded a total of 161 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia during January-September 2015. This represents a 25 percent increase in the total incidents compared to 2014. Of the 161 reported incidents, ReCAAP classifies 150 as armed robbery and the remaining 11 as piracy. Crewmembers were unharmed in 83 percent of incidents. The majority of the incidents on board ships while underway occurred in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS). Of the 110 incidents, 96 (87%) were reported in SOMS, mostly in the eastbound lane of the traffic separation scheme in the Singapore Strait.

UK P&I Club provides practical guidance to Members in relation to piracy in West Africa. Stuart Edmonston, Head of Loss Prevention, says: “We have seen a sizable shift in pirate activity, from Somali to West Africa, and are witnessing an increase in incidents particularly offshore Nigeria. The ship should be operating at a heightened state of security throughout, including additional watch-keeping, roving patrols and fire hoses rigged at the railings; outside doors of the accommodation…

International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Chris Trelawny has visited the Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre (MTISC-GoG), located in the Regional Maritime University of Accra, Ghana. The multinational centre provides advice and information to merchant shipping operating in the Gulf of Guinea. At the time of the visit over 630 ships were exchanging information with the centre. In recent months the centre has provided support to ships and authorities to assist in countering piracy and illegal fishing, as well as supporting search and rescue operations. The watchkeeping staff who operate this centre come from the navies of Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo, the Liberian Maritime Authority and from private companies and are supported by Merchant Navy liaison officers.

Three commercial ships were boarded by pirates within just three hours of each other in Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS), the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) has reported. The vessels have been identified as the Brazilian-flagged bulk carrier MV Densa Shark, the Norwegian-flagged LNG tanker Clipper Posh and the Panama-flagged tanker Pro Triumph. Within an interval of three hours on 17 Jun 15, three vessels while underway in the eastbound lane of the SOMS were reportedly boarded in close proximity with each other within 4 to 10 nautical miles of each other, leading authorities to believe that the perpetrators were part of the same group. “In all three incidents, the perpetrators were sighted in the engine room, an indication that the vessel’s engine spare items were targeted.

Singapore-headquartered anti-piracy watchdog ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) posted a 19% increase in the number of reported incidents to 20 cases in May 2015 as compared with April 2015. Among 20 incidents were reported in Asia, of which two were acts of piracy and 18 were incidents of robbery onboard ship. Graph shows the number of incidents reported in May 2015 compared to the same period in the past four years (2011-2014). Of the 20 incidents reported in May 2015, 14 incidents occurred onboard ships while underway and six onboard ships at anchor/berth. A total of 11 incidents occurred in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS); of which 10 were actual incidents and one was an attempted incident. Of these, seven were petty theft incidents.