ReCAAP ISC Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia - February 2019 Report
ReCAAP ISC in the latest February report, states that a total of three incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in February 2019. There was no report of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah; and no hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargo reported in February 2019. However, the abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah remains a serious concern.
In February 2019, three actual incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported. The incidents have been verified and reported to ReCAAP ISC by ReCAAP Focal Points. Refer to the Appendix on page 17 for the description of the incidents.
Compared to February 2018, there was a 50% decrease in the number of incidents reported in February 2019. A total of six incidents were reported in February 2018 compared to three incidents in February 2019.
STATUS OF SHIPS
Of the three incidents reported in February 2019, one incident occurred on board ship anchored at Caofeidian anchorage in China, one incident on board ship anchored at Belawan anchorage in Indonesia; and one incident on board ship while underway in the Singapore Strait.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2019
NUMBER OF INCIDENTS
During January-February 2019, a total of six incidents were reported. All were incidents of armed robbery against ships. No incident of piracy was reported. Compared to January-February 2018, there was a 65% decrease in the total number of incidents reported during January-February 2019. A total of six incidents were reported during January-February 2019 compared to 17 incidents reported during January-February 2018. The improvement was most apparent at ports/anchorages in Bangladesh, India, Philippines and Vietnam with no incident reported in these areas during January- February 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.
Both the total number of incidents and the number of actual incidents reported during January- February 2019 are the lowest among the 13-year period of January-February of 2007-2019.
INCIDENTS OF ARMED ROBBERY AGAINST SHIPS OCCURRED AT PORTS/ ANCHORAGES IN CHINA
NUMBER AND SIGNIFICANCE LEVEL OF INCIDENTS
During January-February 2019, three incidents were reported at anchorages in China. Two incidents occurred at Caofeidian anchorage and one incident occurred at Jingtang anchorage. Of the three incidents, one was a CAT 3 incident, and two were CAT 4 incidents.
RECOMMENDATION
The ReCAAP ISC advises all ships to exercise enhanced vigilance when calling at Caofeidian and Jingtang ports/anchorages, particularly during hours of darkness. Ship masters are encouraged to make timely report of all incidents to the port authorities and law enforcement agencies in the region; and assist in investigation when called upon by the authorities. This will help the authorities to respond and make arrests of the perpetrators involved. The ReCAAP ISC urges the enforcement agencies to beef up surveillance and provide quick responses to all reports of incidents. The ReCAAP ISC is monitoring the situation closely and working together with the ReCAAP Focal Point (China).
UPDATE ON SITUATION OF ABDUCTION OF CREW IN THE SULU-CELEBES SEAS AND WATERS OFF EASTERN SABAH
STATUS OF ABDUCTED CREW
As of 28 Feb 19, nine crew is still held in captivity. The Philippine authorities continue to conduct pursuit operations and intensify its military operations to rescue the abducted crew and neutralise the militant group.
CONCLUSION
There was a 65% decrease in the number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia during January-February 2019 compared to January-February 2018. A total of six incidents were reported during January-February 2019 compared to 17 incidents during January- February 2018. Both the total number of incidents and the number of actual incidents reported during January-February 2019 are the lowest among the 13-year period of January-February of 2007-2019.
However, the situation at ports/anchorages in Bohai Sea in China is of concern. The ReCAAP ISC urges ship masters to report all incidents to the port authorities and law enforcement agencies, and cooperate in the investigation of incidents carried out by the authorities.
The abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah continues to present a serious threat in Asia. The ReCAAP ISC urges the shipping industry to exercise extra vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah, and report immediately to the reporting centres.
Read Full Report HERE
Source - ReCAAP ISC
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