ReCAAP ISC Reports 19 Percent Rise in Incidents of Piracy/Armed Robbery Against Ships In Asia for 2017
ReCAAP ISC annual report states that a total of 101 incidents (comprising 89 actual incidents and 12 attempted incidents) were reported in 2017 compared to 85 incidents in 2016. This accounts for a 19% increase in the number of incidents reported in 2017 compared to 2016.
This includes 17 incidents which were not reported directly by ReCAAP Focal Points and regional authorities; but were on IMO list of incidents in 2017.
Compared to 2016, there was an increase in the number of incidents on board ships anchored at ports and anchorages in Bangladesh (Chittagong), Philippines (Manila and Batangas) and on board ships anchored and underway in the South China Sea (SCS) and underway in the Singapore Strait. However, there was a decrease in the number of incidents occurred at ports and anchorages in India, Malaysia and Vietnam compared to 2016. There was also a decrease in the number of incidents of abduction of crew for ransom in 2017 compared to 2016.
The decrease in the number of incidents at certain ports and anchorages, and in the number of incidents of abduction of crew for ransom demonstrates the effectiveness of the information sharing mechanism of ReCAAP; and the close cooperation among the ReCAAP ISC, ReCAAP Focal Points, regional authorities, partner organisations and the shipping community.
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. The ReCAAP ISC also encourages ship masters and crew to exercise enhanced vigilance while underway, maintain watch-keeping while at ports and anchorages, and adopt relevant preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.
PIRACY Vs ARMED ROBBERY AGAINST SHIPS
Chart 1 shows the number of piracy vs armed robbery incidents reported during 2008-2017. Majority of the incidents reported in Asia were armed robbery against ships. Over the 10-year period, the number of piracy incidents fluctuated each year, with an average of 13% piracy incidents against 87% armed robbery against ships incidents. The annual percentage of piracy incidents reported in 2010 and 2014 was between 24%-25%; in 2009, 2011 and 2017 it was between 13%-16%; and in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 it was between 5%-7%.
Majority of the piracy incidents in Asia occurred in the South China Sea (SCS); and these were mainly incidents of the on board ships while underway and at anchor (in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2017), and incidents involving the hijacking of ships for the of oil cargo (2014 and 2015). Of the 16 piracy incidents reported in Asia in 2017, 12 incidents occurred in the South China Sea, three incidents in the Sulu-Celebes Sea and one incident in the Arabian Sea.
STATUS OF SHIPS
Of the 101 incidents reported in 2017, 68 incidents (67%) occurred on board ships while at anchor/ berth, and 33 incidents (33%) on board ships while underway. This conforms to past trends observed that majority of the incidents reported in Asia involved ships at anchor/berth. The only exception was in 2015 when close to two-thirds of the incidents reported in Asia involved ships while underway. This was due to the large number of incidents occurred on board ships while underway in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) in 2015. Of the 203 incidents reported in 2015, 104 incidents occurred in SOMS.
NUMBER OF PERPETRATORS
Conforming to past trends observed during 2013-2016, majority of the actual incidents reported in 2017 involved perpetrators in groups of 4 to 6 men. There were three incidents that reported perpetrators in groups of 7 to 9 men who boarded the ships [Harvester when anchored off Belawan, Indonesia and Botany Bay when anchored in Manila anchorage, Philippines (both 8 men) and fishing trawler while underway off Tawi-tawi, Philippines (9 men)]. This was the lowest among the 5-year period.
Five of the 89 incidents (6%) in 2017 involved more than 9 men who boarded Crest 252 (10 men), Tron Legacy (12 men), MGT 1 (13 men), Jaya Crystal (more than 20 men) and M/Tug 308 (22 men). It is the second lowest during the 5-year period which reported incidents involved more than 9 men.
TREATMENT OF CREW
Consistent with past trends observed during 2013-2016, majority of the incidents in 2017 reported that the crew was not injured or there was no information available on the treatment of crew.
There were three incidents of kidnap for ransom (Super Shuttle Tug 1, fishing trawler and Giang Hai) in 2017, of which the incident involving Giang Hai reported its crew being killed. The two Filipino abducted crew of Super Shuttle Tug 1 were subsequently rescued in March 2017 while the three Indonesian crew of the fishing trawler are still held in captivity since January 2017. In the incident involving Giang Hai, four of the abducted crew were killed, and three crew were subsequently rescued by the Philippine authorities in November 2017.
The report breaks down the incidents geographically covering ports and anchorages in Bangladesh with 11 incidents; India with four incidents, the lowest in the 5-year period; Indonesia with 33 incidents, including the hijacking of barge, Ever Omega; Philippines rising to 22 incidents in 2017; South China Sea with 12 incidents a rise on 2016 incidents; Straits of Malacca and Singapore again with an increase on 2016 to nine incidents, raising concerns; Vietnam has seen an improvement with two incidents reported.
The report covers the Modus Operandi of the incidents geographically.
The case studies section includes incidents involving Doña Annabel, underway at approximately 14 nm northwest of Port Santa Maria, Siocon, Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines when three fast boats surrounded and tried to approach the ferry. An unknown number of perpetrators wearing bonnets and armed with guns were on board the boats.
The incident involving Atlantic 8 and Atlantic 9 loaded with coal was approached by five perpetrators nearby Pulau Singkep Indonesia. The perpetrators, on board a speed boat with many oil drums, attempted to go alongside the tug boat.
CONCLUSION
The number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia in 2017 has increased by 19% compared to 2016. A total of 101 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships (comprising 89 actual incidents and 12 attempted incidents) were reported in 2017 compared to 85 incidents in 2016. Except for 2008 and 2016, the total number of incidents reported in 2017 was the lowest among the past 10 years (2008-2017).
There were improvements at ports and anchorages in India, Malaysia and Vietnam. The situation of abduction of crew from ships in the Sulu-Celebes Sea and waters off Eastern Sabah has also improved with three actual incidents reported in 2017, compared to 10 incidents reported in 2016. There was no report of actual incident of abduction of crew since March 2017.
However, there has been an increase in the number of incidents reported in Philippines, Bangladesh, Singapore Straits and South China Sea. Of concern was the recurrence of three incidents involving the hijacking of ships for the of oil cargo in 2017. Notably, the percentage of incidents involving perpetrators who were armed in 2017 has increased compared to the past four years (2013- 2016).
There is a need for all stakeholders to enhance their efforts to reduce the number of incidents and to make the sea safer and more secure.
Download the Full Report HERE
Source: ReCAAP ISC
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