ReCAAP ISC Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia - October 2016 Report
ReCAAP ISC reports that in October 2016, five incidents were reported in Asia. Of these, one was an incident of piracy in South China Sea and the other incidents were armed robbery against ships occurred in Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.
Between January and October 2016, a total of 64 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia; and this represents a 65% decrease in total number of incidents compared to the same period in 2015 when 184 incidents were reported. The number of incidents reported during January-October 2016 is also the lowest among the five-year reporting period of January-October of 2012-2016.
However, of concern was the occurrence of an incident of abduction of crew from a general cargo ship in waters off eastern Sabah and southwestern Philippines; and the hijacking of a tug boat towing a barge for theft of the oil cargo on board off Bintulu, Sarawak, East Malaysia.
NUMBER OF INCIDENTS BY MONTH (OCTOBER 2015 - OCTOBER 2016)
A total of five incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in October 2016. Throughout the past one-year period (from October 2015 to October 2016), the number of incidents has fluctuated. Graph 1 below shows the number of incidents reported every month between October 2015 and October 2016.
SIGNIFICANCE LEVEL OF INCIDENTS
Of the five incidents reported in October 2016, two were Category 1 incidents and three were Category 4 incidents. The two Category 1 incidents involved the abduction of crew from a general cargo ship and the hijacking of a tug boat towing a barge for theft of the oil cargo carried on board. Of the three Category 4 incidents, one occurred on board a bulk carrier while anchored at Panjang anchorage, Indonesia; and two on board a bulk carrier and a container ship while anchored at Vung Tau anchorage, Vietnam.
NUMBER OF INCIDENTS (JANUARY- OCTOBER OF 2012-2016)
A total of 64 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported from January-October 2016 in Asia. Among the 64 incidents, 61 were actual incidents and three were attempted incidents. This is a 65% decrease in the overall number of incidents compared to January-October 2015 when 184 incidents were reported. The number of incidents reported during January-October 2016 is also the lowest among the five-year reporting period of January-October of 2012-2016.
INCIDENT INVOLVING DONG BANG GIANT NO. 2 (20 OCT 16)
An incident involving the abduction of a ship master (Korean) and the 2nd officer (Filipino) occurred on 20 Oct 16 from a Korea-registered general cargo ship, Dong Bang Giant No. 2 (11,391 GT). The ship departed Australia for the Republic of Korea and was en route at a speed of 8 knots when the incident occurred. Refer to the Appendix for the detailed description of the incident.
Upon receipt of a satellite alarm from Dong Bang Giant No. 2, the ReCAAP Focal Point (Republic of Korea) reported the incident to the ReCAAP ISC who informed the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) [also the ReCAAP Focal Point (Philippines)], and alerted all the other 19 ReCAAP Focal Points, the Information Fusion Centre (IFC), Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and BAKAMLA. The PCG, Naval Forces of the Western Mindanao (NAVFORWEM) and the Philippine Marines (PMAR) from Task Force Tawi-tawi (TFTT) were deployed to locate the abducted crew.
This is the eighth incident of abduction of crew off eastern Sabah and southwestern Philippines since March 2016; and it is the first incident involving a general cargo ship. The previous seven incidents occurred on board tug boats towing barges and fishing trawlers. Based on the eight incidents, it is observed that ships that are slow moving and with low freeboard are vulnerable; regardless of its flag or ship type. Of the 38 crew who had been abducted in the eight incidents, 33 had been released, and five are still held in captivity.
The ReCAAP ISC is concerned about the situation in the region; and advised slow moving ships with low freeboard to re-route away from the area, if possible. Otherwise, ship masters and crew are strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the area. When transiting nearer to eastern Sabah, ship masters are advised to report to the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), particularly when sighting any suspicious activities or boats in the area. They are also to report to the Operation Centre in the PCG District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) for monitoring and immediate responses in any eventualities.
INCIDENT INVOLVING EVER OCEAN SILK TOWING EVER GIANT (25 OCT 16)
On 25 Oct 16 at about 2030 hrs, more than 10 perpetrators boarded the Malaysian-registered tug boat, Ever Ocean Silk towing barge, Ever Giant at approximately 60 nm north of Bintulu, Sarawak, East Malaysia. The tug boat and barge laden with palm oil, had departed Lahad Datu, Sabah, East Malaysia on 20 Oct 16 for Port Klang, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia. The perpetrators armed with parangs (long knives) boarded the tug boat, tied the 10 crew (all Indonesians), gathered them in a cabin and instructed one of them to navigate the boat. The owner of Ever Ocean Silk reported the incident to the MMEA, Bintulu after they lost communications with the master. Three MMEA boats (KM Tabah, KM Jepak and Penggalang 33 ) were dispatched; and Ever Ocean Silk and Ever Giant were found at about 30nm off Tanjung Kidurong, Sarawak. The crew was safe on board. The tug boat and barge were subsequently escorted by the MMEA boats to Bintulu port. The perpetrators had reportedly siphoned 2,499 metric tons of palm oil and stole the crew's personal belongings.
This is the second incident of theft of oil cargo from a ship belonging to the same company. On 3 Jun 16, an unknown number of perpetrators boarded tug boat, Ever Prosper towing barge, Ever Dignity off Mukah, Sarawak; and siphoned about 3000 litres of crude palm kernel oil (CPKO). Refer to Map 3 on location of the two incidents.
CONCLUSION
There has been an improvement in the total number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia in October 2016; with a 65% decrease compared to the same period in 2015. However, there is serious concern with the occurrence of eight incidents of abduction of crew in waters off eastern Sabah and southwestern Philippines. There is also concern with the occurrence of two incidents of oil cargo theft in waters off Sarawak to ships belonging to the same owner. More needs to be done by the littoral States and shipping industry to collectively address the situation. In particular, we advise the shipping industry to be more vigilant in areas where similar incidents had occurred in the past.
Download the Full Report HERE
Source: ReCAAP ISC
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