Piracy Rises 3% in Asia

A total of 64 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia during January-September 2018, a 3 percent increase compared to the same period for 2017, ReCAAP ISC said in its latest report.

Of the 64 incidents so far in 2018 (including 50 actual incidents and 14 attempted incidents), three were incidents of piracy and 61 were incidents of armed robbery against ships.

Of the 50 actual incidents reported, one was a CAT 1 incident, five were CAT 2 incidents, 10 were CAT 3 incidents and 34 were CAT 4 incidents. The number of actual incidents reported was the lowest among the 10-year period of January-September of 2009-2018.

Concerning the abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah, two incidents (comprising one actual incident and one attempted incident) were reported during January-September 2018 compared to seven incidents (comprising three actual incidents and four attempted incidents) reported during the same period in 2017.

Although the number of incidents has decreased, there remains imminent threat of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah, as demonstrated by the latest incident of abduction of two fishermen from a fishing vessel Sri Dewi 1 on September 11 in waters off Eastern Sabah.

ReCAAP ISC recommends enhanced vigilance against the presence of suspicious boats, and advises all ships to re-route from the area, where possible.

Also of concern is the increase in incidents on board ships at ports and anchorages in Chittagong, Bangladesh and off Samarinda in East Kalimantan, Indonesia; as well as on board ships while underway in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) during January-September 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

See the full report here.