ReCAAP ISC Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia - Half Year 2016 Report
ReCAAP ISC reports that there has been an improvement in the piracy and armed robbery situation in Asia with the largest decrease in number of incidents during January-June 2016 compared to the same period in the past four years of 2012-2015.
The number of incidents reported during January-June 2016 has decreased by 64% compared to the same period in 2015. A total of 41 incidents were reported during January-June 2016 compared to 114 incidents in 2015.
The decline in the number of incidents reported during January-June 2016 was most evident in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS). One incident was reported in SOMS during January-June 2016 compared to 55 incidents during the same period in 2015.
The number of incidents involving hijacking of tankers for oil cargo theft has also decreased during January-June 2016. Two incidents involving the hijacking of tankers for oil cargo theft were reported during January-June 2016 compared to 10 such incidents during the same period in 2015. A total of six CAT 1 incidents were reported during January-June 2016 compared to 10 CAT 1 incidents reported during same period in 2015. Of the six CAT 1 incidents, four involved the abduction of crew and two involved the hijacking of ships for oil cargo theft.
The ReCAAP ISC is concerned of the four cases of abduction of crew, and urges the littoral States to step up surveillance/patrols and the shipping industry to adopt appropriate preventive measures. Refer to the ReCAAP ISC Special Report SR 01/2016 on “Special Report on Abducting of Crew from Tug Boats in Waters off Eastern Sabah and South Philippines”. The situation at most ports and anchorages in Asia has improved during January-June 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, except at certain ports and anchorages in India and Indonesia.
NUMBER OF INCIDENTS
During January-June 2016, 41 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia, comprising 40 actual incidents and one attempted incident. Among these, two were piracy incidents that occurred in the South China Sea (SCS), and 39 were incidents of armed robbery against ships. The number of incidents reported during January-June 2016 fluctuated across the months; with highest of 13 incidents reported in April 2016 and lowest of three incidents in March and June 2016. Graph 1 shows the number of incidents reported during January-June 2016. Of the 10 incidents reported in January 2016, six occurred at India’s ports and anchorages and of 21 incidents reported during April-May 2016, 11 occurred at Indonesian ports and anchorages. For this period, there is no substantial evidence to suggest any correlation between the number of incidents and the month of the year.
VIOLENCE FACTORS OF ACTUAL INCIDENTS NUMBER OF PERPETRATORS
Almost half of the incidents (48%) reported during January-June 2016 involved group of 1 to 6 men, and two incidents involved 7-9 men (Hai Soon 12, a product tanker boarded by 9 men who targeted the Marine Gas Oil (MGO) carried on board and Massive 6, a tug boat boarded by 8 men who abducted the crew for ransom). Three incidents involved more than 9 men; and they occurred on board Pacific Warlock, a supply ship while underway in the Gulf of Khambat, Arabian Sea, was boarded by 10 men who later escaped empty-handed when the crew sounded the ship whistle; Brahma 12, a tug boat boarded by 17 men who abducted the crew for ransom; and IVS Sentosa, a bulk carrier was boarded by 10 men who reportedly stole 32 cans of paint when the ship was anchored at Hon Cam anchorage, Vietnam. Of the 40 actual incidents, 16 have no information on the number of perpetrators involved; some of which were due to lack of vigilance of crew who did not detect the perpetrators on board, but only discovered some items subsequently missing.
TYPE OF WEAPONS CARRIED BY PERPETRATORS
Majority of the incidents reported during January-June 2016 indicated that the perpetrators were either not armed or there was no information available on the weapons carried by the perpetrators. Of the six incidents involving perpetrators who were armed with guns, four were incidents of abduction of crew (Brahma 12, Massive 6, Henry and Charles 001), one was an incident of oil cargo theft (Hai Soon 12) and one was an armed robbery incident at Pulau Batam anchorage, Indonesia (Fjell).
TREATMENT OF CREW
During January-June 2016, 11 incidents involved the crew being physically mistreated by the perpetrators. Among these, four were incidents of kidnapping of crew for ransom (Brahma 12, Massive 6, Henry and Charles 001), three incidents involving the crew being held hostage by perpetrators until when they left the ships (Alpha Effort, Hai Soon 12 and Fjell ), two incidents of the crew being assaulted (Maratha Promise and Ever Prosper), and two incidents of the perpetrators threatened the crew who spotted them (IVS Sentosa and Crest Hydra). The crew was not injured in these incidents except in the two assault incidents where the crew were injured and treated.
TYPE OF SHIPS
Close to three-quarter of the 40 incidents reported during January-June 2016 occurred on board bulk carrier (11), tanker5 (13) and tug boat (six). The remaining 27% occurred on board container ship (three), general cargo ship (one), supply ship (one) and other types of ship including accommodation barge, cutter section dredger, diving support vessel, semi- submersible heavy lift cargo ship and vehicle carrier.
INCIDENTS ON BOARD SHIPS WHILE UNDERWAY
Of the 11 incidents occurred on board ships while underway, three were reported in Indonesia waters (off Balikpapan, Pulau Belitung, Pulau Bintan), two in Malaysia waters (off Sabah, Sarawak), three in Philippine waters (off Sitangkai, Languyan), one in India waters (Gulf of Khambat), one in SCS (off Pulau Subi Besar) and one in the SOMS (off Nongsa Point). Of the 11 incidents, six were CAT 1 and five were CAT 4 incidents.
SIGNIFICANCE LEVEL
While the number of incidents during January-June 2016 has decreased, the ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the proportion of CAT 1 incidents reported during the period. Six out of 40 actual incidents (15%) reported during January-June 2016 were CAT 1 incidents, compared to 10 CAT 1 out of 114 (9%) reported during January-June 2015, and 5 CAT 1 out of 90 (6%) during January-June 2014. Chart 9 shows the Significance Level of incidents reported during January-June of 2012-2016.
UPDATE ON INCIDENTS INVOLVING ABDUCTION OF CREW
A total of four incidents of abduction of crew were reported during January–June 2016, with one incident in March 2016, two in April 2016 and one in June 2016. The map below shows the approximate location of the incidents.
INDONESIAN-REGISTERED TUG BOAT, BRAHMA 12 (26 MAR 16)
- Boarded by 17 perpetrators, 10 crew abducted
- All released on 1 May 16 after 38 days of captivity
MALAYSIAN-REGISTERED TUG BOAT, MASSIVE 6 (1 APR 16)
- Boarded by eight perpetrators,four crew abducted
- All released on 8 Jun 16 after 68 days of captivity
INDONESIAN-REGISTERED TUG BOAT, HENRY (15 APR 16)
- Boarded by five perpetrators,four crew abducted
- All released on 10 May 16 after 26 days of captivity
INDONESIAN-REGISTERED TUG BOAT, CHARLES 001 (22 JUN 16)
- On 22 Jun 16, at about 1130 hrs and 1245 hrs, while underway in Sulu Sea, Philippines, two different armed groups of perpetrators reportedly opened fire and forcibly boarded the tug boat. The two groups of perpetrators abducted three and four Indonesian crew respectively. The remaining six crew on board Charles 001 towing barge Robby 152 were left unharmed and continued their voyage to Samarinda, Indonesia. The perpetrators are believed to be the members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASF).
RECOMMENDATIONS
In view of the recent spate of abduction incidents, the PCG recommends that the shipping industry report to the PCG's Operation Centre in southwestern Mindanao when their ships were transiting the area; for monitoring by PCG, and immediate response in any eventualities.
Philippine Coast Guard
District Southwestern Mindanao
Operation Centre +63 929686 4129 +63 916626 0689
Email: hcgdswm@yahoo.com
Full Report HERE
Original source & graphics: ReCAAP ISC
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