ReCAAP ISC Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia - August 2017 Report
ReCAAP ISC reports a total of four incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in August 2017. Of these, three were actual incidents and one was an attempted incident. No piracy incident was reported. There was also no report of actual or attempted incidents involving the abduction of crew from ships in the Sulu-Celebes Sea and waters o Eastern Sabah in August 2017.
The ReCAAP ISC continues to reiterate the need for collective efforts and shared responsibility among ReCAAP Focal Points, regional authorities and the shipping industry in addressing the situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia.
Number of Incidents - August 2017
In August 2017, a total of four incidents of armed robbery against ships (comprising three actual incidents and one attempted incident) were reported. The location of the incidents is shown in Map 1. Compared to August 2016, the total number of incidents reported in August 2017 has increased by one incident. A total of three incidents (comprising two actual incidents and one attempted incident) were reported in August 2016.
A total of 43 incidents were reported during January-August 2017, of which 36 were actual incidents and seven were attempted incidents. The number of incidents reported during January-August 2017 was the lowest among the 10-year reporting period. Compared to January-August 2016, there was a 20% decrease in the total number of incidents reported during January-August 2017, and a 72% decrease compared to the same period in 2015.
A total of 54 incidents were reported during January-August 2016, and 151 incidents reported during January-August 2015. The improvement during January-August 2017 was attributed to, amongst other contributing factors, the improvement of the situation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (since 2016), and at certain ports and anchorages in India, Indonesia and Vietnam. While the overall situation during January-August 2017 has improved, there was an increase in the number of incidents reported at ports and anchorages in Bangladesh (Chittagong) and Philippines (Manila and Batangas) compared to the same period in 2016.
Location of Incidents
Abduction of Crew from Ships Underway in Sulu-Celebes Sea/Eastern Sabah Waters (Jan-Aug 2017)
There was no report of incident involving the abduction of crew from ships while underway in the Sulu-Celebes Sea in August 2017. The last actual incident reported to the ReCAAP ISC occurred on board Super Shuttle Tug 1 on 23 Mar 17. The last attempted incident involved Don?a Annabelle occurred on 18 Apr 17.
Update on Status of Abducted Crew
On 20 Aug 17, the Philippine authorities rescued one of the abducted crew of Royal 16 while they were conducting military opera ons in the vicinity of Mataja Island, Basilan province. The Royal 16, was boarded by 10 armed men on 11 Nov 16 who abducted its six crew. On 16 Jun 17, while the government troops were conduc ng military opera ons, they successfully rescued one of the abducted crew in Sumipsip, Basilan, Philippines. On 5 Jul 17, the Philippine military found the bodies of another two Royal 16’s abducted crew at Sitto Limbutulan, Brgy Tumahubong, Sumisip Basilan, Philippines. To date, the remaining two crew of Royal 16 are still being held in captivity.
Conclusion
The number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia in August 2017 had increased slightly compared to the same period in 2016. Four incidents were reported in August 2017 compared to three incidents reported in August 2016. However, the total number of incidents during January-August 2017 was the lowest among the 10-year reporting period of January-August 2008-2017. There was no report of incident involving the abduction of crew from ships in the Sulu-Celebes Sea since the last actual incident that occurred in March 2017.
Download the full report HERE
Source: ReCAAP ISC
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