Armed robbers are increasingly targeting ships in the Singapore Strait (SS) as piracy in Asian seas declines in line with global trends, a new report has revealed.
The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia’s (ReCAAP) mid-year report reflects the same crime issues highlighted by the ICC International Maritime Bureau, which reported an almost 30-year low in incidents, while raising concern about crime in the Singapore Strait (SS).
According to the ReCAAP report, there were a total of 58 incidents reported against ships in Asia from January to August. A total of six armed robberies were committed against ships in internal waters, archipelagic waters and territorial seas in Asia during the month of August.
“No incident of piracy (on high seas) was reported…The situation of armed robbery against ships in the Singapore Strait continues to be an area of concern. It accounts for 66% of the total number of incidents reported in Asia from January-August 2022 (38 of 58 incidents). There was no incident of abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah in August 2022,” ReCaap reported.
“The last known incident occurred on January 7. The threat of abduction of crew, however, remains potentially high due to the presence of remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the area of Sulu and nearby waters off Tawi-Tawi.”
In an incident in SS, the perpetrators were armed with a hammer, knife and metal rod, while in an incident at Belawan Anchorage, suspects were armed with knives. In both incidents, the perpetrators escaped when the crew was alerted. No injuries were reported.
“Ship stores, including cable for a welding machine, fire hydrant cap and air pipe cover, were stolen in the incident at Belawan Anchorage, while nothing was stolen in the incident in SS,” the report noted.
A further three incidents in the SS occurred on board barges and a supply vessel towed by tug boats. Scrap metal was stolen from the barges, and ship stores were stolen from the supply vessel. An incident at Sandakan Anchorage occurred on board a chemical tanker where the perpetrators stole ropes on deck and escaped when the ship alarm was sounded. No injuries were reported.
The ReCAAP ISC has urged all law enforcement agencies in Asia, particularly in the areas of concern, to enhance surveillance, increase patrols, and respond swiftly to reported incidents in order to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.
“Ships transiting the areas of concern are advised to enhance vigilance and security level, maintain all-round lookout, and report all incidents to the nearest coastal State and flag State. Collective efforts and shared responsibility of all stakeholders in immediate reporting, timely and accurate information sharing, and prompt response are key factors for combatting piracy and armed robbery against ships,” ReCaap advised.
It added that the authorities of the littoral States had stepped up enforcement efforts both on land and at sea.
“They have increased patrols in areas of concern during vulnerable time windows for more effective deterrence and operational responses. The authorities will continue to cooperate in sharing information on incidents, sighting of small boats’ concentration, and suspicious activities, in order to facilitate prompt responses by the relevant authorities. Singapore’s ReCAAP Focal Point has issued advisories to ships transiting the SS to remind ship masters to be vigilant and adopt recommended shipboard preventive measures,” ReCaap said.
Several locations in Asia witnessed a decrease in the number of incidents in January-August compared to January-August 2021. The decrease in incidents occurred in India, the Philippines and Vietnam. However, there was an increase in incidents in Bangladesh and SS. The number of incidents in Indonesia and Malaysia remained the same.
