The Hijacking of Tanker, Orapin 4
RECENT hijacks of commercial tankers in the Southeast Asia region has raised concerns of an increase in piracy, which had been considered reduced in recent years, ReCAAP ISC issued an update on the hijack of Thai-registered tanker, Orapin 4.
On 30 May 2014, the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) issued an Incident Alert 04/2014 following a report from the shipping company that they had lost contact with his product tanker, Orapin 4. The Thailand-registered product tanker, Orapin 4 departed Singapore on 27 May at or about 1500 hrs for Pontianak, Indonesia with 3,9751 metric tonnes of Automative Diesel Fuel (ADF) onboard. The vessel was scheduled to arrive in Pontianak, Indonesia on 29 May at or about 1300 hrs LT (local time).
Last communication and latest position of Orapin 4
On 28 May at or about 1200 hrs LT, the shipping company contacted Orapin 4 via email but did not receive a reply.
The tanker did not arrive in Pontianak on 29 May as scheduled. The company last contacted the tanker on 27 May at or about 1730 hrs LT when the tanker was approximately 3.64 nm north of Pulau Batam, Indonesia. The last tracked position of Orapin 4 on 27 May at or about 2357 hrs LT was approximately 19.47 nm north of Pulau Bintan, Indonesia on a course of 053.5° and speed 9 knots.
On 1 Jun, Orapin 4 arrived at Sriracha Port, Chon Buri, Thailand at or about 1930 hrs LT. All 14 crew of Thai nationality were safe, and the master, upon arrival, reported the incident to the local police station.
What happened to Orapin 4 at sea?
The shipping company informed the ReCAAP Focal Point (Thailand) who in turn reported to the ReCAAP ISC that at or about 0200 hrs on 28 May, 10 pirates armed with guns and knives boarded the tanker from a speed boat at a location which was about 19 nm off Indonesia in the South China Sea (exact location was not mentioned).
The pirates painted the ship name from ORAPIN 4 to RAPI, and destroyed the communication equipment onboard, with intention to mask the identity of the tanker and cut off all communications while at sea. The pirates tied the crew and proceeded to the bridge to control the tanker. Another tanker came alongside and approximately 3,700 metric tonnes of ADF was siphoned from Orapin 4.
The pirates took about 10 hours for siphoning before leaving the tanker and crew with enough fuel to sail back to shore - see map for the approximate positions and assessed location of boarding (Click map to enlarge).
Conclusion
The modus operandi of this incident was similar to the incident involving Thailand-registered oil tanker, Sri Phangnga on 17 Apr when 16 pirates armed with guns and swords boarded Sri Phangnga at about 18 nm off Tanjung Sedili, Malaysia. The pirates painted over the ship name and logo, damaged the ship communication system, and siphoned 450 metric tonnes of MOGAS to a small-sized tanker which came along Sri Phangnga.
The ReCAAP ISC commends the relevant authorities, governmental organisations, enforcement agencies and shipping company for their efforts in information sharing and operational follow-ups. The ReCAAP ISC continues to be a conduit for the stakeholders by providing timely situation update, sharing lessons learned and recommending countermeasures to adopt to avoid similar incident from recurring. To do this, the ReCAAP ISC reiterates the need for timely reporting and information sharing by ship master and ship owner/operator with ReCAAP Focal Points and coastal States; and the relevant authorities and enforcement agencies to enhance cooperation in information sharing and increase in surveillance and patrols in areas of concern.
Source: ReCAAP ISC
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