HIGHLIGHTS
- The number of ship robberies has decreased by 20 cases (equivalent to 27%) from 75 in the first 9 months of 2020 to 55 in the same period in 2021.
- The decrease of incidents occurred in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South China Sea and the Sulu Celebes Seas during this period.
- There are still some areas of concern such as the Singapore Strait, the Manila anchorage area in the Philippines and the Sulu-Celebes Sea.
FULL ARTICLE
The number of ship robberies decreased significantly
According to ReCAAP, the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, the number of ship robberies has decreased by 20 cases (equivalent to 27%) from 75 in the first 9 months of 2020 to 55 in the same period in 2021.
Of the 55 incidents reported, 29 occurred to ships while underway and 26 incidents to ships while at berth.
The decrease of incidents occurred in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South China Sea and the Sulu Celebes Seas during this period.
A major decline in robbery incidents was reported in Bangladesh where no incident was reported during January-September 202,1 compared to three incidents during the same period last year.
India, Indonesia, and Malaysia recorded a decrease in ship robberies by about half compared to the same period in 2020. India decreased from 8 cases to 4 cases, Indonesia decreased from 19 cases to 10 cases. Malaysia had only one robbery this year, compared with two in the same period last year.
There are still some high-risk areas
There are still some areas of concern such as the Singapore Strait, the Manila anchorage area in the Philippines and the Sulu-Celebes Sea.
In the Singapore Strait, armed robbery against ships continued to occur. The ReCAAP added that a total of 26 incidents were reported during the period under review compared to 22 incidents during the same period in the previous year.
In Manila Anchorage Areas, a total of nine incidents were reported at South Harbour Anchorage Area during January-August 2021, including violence against the crew. On 27 and 29 Sep, the Philippine law enforcement agencies arrested the leader and one member of a criminal group responsible for the incidents at Manila Anchorage Areas.
The threat of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah continues to remain high. Ships transiting the area are advised to follow the ReCAAP ISC’s ‘Guidance on Abduction of Crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and Waters off Eastern Sabah’, and maintain communications with the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM).
Manh Nguyen
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