ReCAAP ISC Reports Signifcant Drop in Incidents of Piracy/Armed Robbery Against Ships In Asia for 2016
ACCORDING to the latest ReCAAP Annual Report for 2016, here has been a significant improvement in the situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia in 2016 compared to the past four years (2012-2015). The total number of incidents reported in 2016 has decreased by 58% compared to 2015.
A total of 85 incidents were reported in 2016 compared to 203 incidents in 2015. Of the 85 incidents reported in 2016, five were incidents of piracy occurred in the South China Sea and 80 were incidents of armed robbery against ships, mostly occurred at ports and anchorages. 2016 has the lowest total number of reported incidents amongst the five-year reporting period of 2012-2016.
The decrease in overall numbers for 2016 was most apparent in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS). Two incidents were reported in the SOMS in 2016 compared to 104 incidents reported there in 2015. The improvement in SOMS was due to joint coordinated patrols and enhanced surveillance carried out by the littoral States and stringent enforcement on land. This had resulted in several arrests of the perpetrators responsible for the incidents occurred in 2015. There were also improvement in incidents involving hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargo. Three incidents were reported in 2016 compared to 12 incidents in 2015. Other improvements were reported at ports and anchorages in Vietnam and Bangladesh.
However, of serious concern was incidents involving the abduction of crew from ships while underway in the Sulu-Celebes Sea and waters off eastern Sabah which accounted for 10 of the 13 Category 1 incidents. Most of these incidents were claimed by a terrorist group based in the Philippines. The other three Category 1 incidents involved the hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargo. The authorities had successfully arrested the perpetrators involved in one of the incidents, and recovered the stolen cargo. Except for the Category 1 incidents, there was decrease in the number of incidents across all categories of incidents in 2016 compared to the past four years (2012-2015).
The overall improvement of the situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia in 2016 demonstrates the effectiveness of the information sharing mechanism of ReCAAP; and the close cooperation and collaboration among the ReCAAP ISC, ReCAAP Focal Points, regional authorities, partner organisations and the shipping community. While the overall statistics show a significant decrease in number of incidents in 2016, incidents involving abduction of crew from ships while underway in the Sulu-Celebes Sea and waters off eastern Sabah remain a serious concern. Therefore, there is no room for complacency.
The ReCAAP ISC urges all enforcement agencies to beef up surveillance and patrols; and relevant authorities to implement port security measures, particularly in areas of concern.
SIGNIFICANCE LEVEL (ACTUAL INCIDENTS)
Of the 76 actual incidents reported in 2016, 13 were Category 1 incidents, 10 were Category 2 incidents, eight were Category 3 incidents and 45 were Category 4 incidents. Chart 3 shows the significance level of actual incidents reported from 2012-2016.
Except for the Category 1 incidents, there has been a decrease in the number of incidents across all categories in 2016 compared to the past four years. The bulk of the decrease occurred in the Category 3 and Category 4 groups of incidents which mostly were incidents occurred on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait in 2015. A brief description of the type of incidents, type of ships involved and location of incidents of the four Categories are as follows:
CATEGORY 1
Ten of the 13 Category 1 incidents reported in 2016 involved the abduction of crew from tug boats, namely Brahma 12 (26 Mar 16), Massive 6 (1 Apr 16), Henry (15 Apr 16), Charles 00 (22 Jun 16) and Serudong 3 (18 Jul 16); general cargo ship Dong Bang Giant No. 2 (20 Oct 16); bulk carrier Royal 16 (11 Nov 16) and fishing boats and trawlers (9 Jul 16, 10 Sep 16 and 20 Dec 16) in the Sulu-Celebes Sea and waters off eastern Sabah. These incidents occurred since March 2016 with at least one incident per month except May 2016 and August 2016. The other three CAT 1 incidents involved the hijacking of product tanker, Hai Soon 12 (7 May 16) and tug boat, Ever Prosper towing Ever Dignity (3 Jun 16) and tug boat, Ever Ocean Silk towing Ever Giant (25 Oct 16) for theft of oil cargo.
CATEGORY 2
Ten Category 2 incidents were reported in 2016, of which nine incidents occurred on board ships while at anchor/berth, and one incident on board tanker, AD Matsu while underway in the SCS. Of the nine incidents on board ships at anchor/berth, six occurred at ports and anchorages in Indonesia (Cilacap, Dumai, Pulau Batam, Samarinda and Tanjung Priok), two in Vietnam (Hon Cam and Vung Tau) and one in Philippine port (Davao).
CATEGORY 3
Eight Category 3 incidents were reported and all occurred on board ships while at anchor/ berth. Of these incidents, six were reported at ports and anchorages in Indonesia (Dumai, Muara Berau, Pulau Batam and Taboneo), one at Kandla anchorage in India, and another at Vung Tau anchorage in Vietnam.
CATEGORY 4
A total of 45 Category 4 incidents were reported, of which 40 occurred on board ships while anchored/berthed at ports and anchorages in Bangladesh (1), China (3), India (10), Indonesia (17), Philippines (2), SCS (1) and Vietnam (6); and ve on board ships while underway in Indonesia (2), India (1), SCS (1) and SOMS (1).
TREATMENT OF CREW
Of the 76 actual incidents reported in 2016, 68% (52) of the incidents reported that the crew either did not suffer any injuries or there was no information available on the condition of the crew. Of the remaining 24 incidents, 10 were incidents of abduction of crew for ransom, seven were incidents of crew taken hostage, three were incidents of crew being assaulted (Maratha Promise, Ever Prosper and Chembulk Jakarta), and four were incidents of crew being threatened (IVS Sentosa, Crest Hydra, Anna-Maria and KN Forest). Apart from the 10 incidents of kidnapping of crew reported in 2016, there were more incidents in 2015 involving crew seriously injured, crew thrown overboard, crew taken hostage and crew was assaulted. In 2015, no incident of abduction of crew was reported, however there were two incidents of crew seriously injured, two incidents of crew thrown overboard, 13 incidents of crew taken hostage, six incidents of crew being assaulted and four incidents of crew being threatened.
INCIDENTS OF ABDUCTION OF CREW FROM SHIPS IN THE SULU- CELEBES SEA AND OFF EASTERN SABAH
In 2016, a total of 16 incidents of abduction of crew (comprising 10 actual and six attempted incidents) occurred in the Sulu-Celebes Sea and waters off eastern Sabah were reported to the ReCAAP ISC by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) which is also the ReCAAP Focal Point for Philippines. Most of these abduction incidents are claimed by a terrorist group based in the Philippines.
Of the 10 actual incidents, 48 crew had been abducted and held in captivity of which 33 crew (from Brahma 12, Massive 6, Henry, Charles 00 and fishing trawler) had been released. Though no official statement had been given, ransom was believed to have been paid to secure the releases. As of 31 Dec 16, the remaining 15 crew were still being held in captivity. The map below shows the approximate location of the incidents and status of the abducted crew in 2016.
Download Full Report
Source: ReCAAP ISC
Subscribe to our newsletter. Receive a weekly round-up of all piracy-related & maritime situational awareness news.
OCEANUSLive.org
Information, Security, Safety; Shared
Submitted by Team@oceanuslive.org