A total of three incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported
in Asia in January 2019, according to the latest report by Asia piracy
watchdog, the ReCAAP ISC.
In the report emailed to SHIPS & PORTS DAILY on Wednesday, the Asian
piracy watchdog said compared to January 2018, there was a 73% decrease
in the number of incidents reported in January 2019 when a total of 11
incidents were reported.
ReCAAP ISC said all three incidents reported in January 2019 occurred on
board ships anchored; one at Caofeidian anchorage and one at Jingtang
anchorage in China; and one at Ciwandan anchorage in Indonesia.
“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 January 2019.
“However, the abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and
waters off Eastern Sabah remains a serious concern,” it said.
ReCAAP ISC commended the efforts of the Philippines authorities for the
rescue of the remaining abducted crew of Sri Dewi 1 on 15 Jan 19.
“As the abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters
o Eastern Sabah continues to pose a serious threat in Asia, 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.
“Despite the improvement of situation of piracy and sea robbery in Asia
in January 2019, the ReCAAP ISC reiterates the need for law enforcement
agencies to enhance surveillance, increase patrols and respond promptly
to reports of incident. Ships transiting areas of concern are to
exercise enhanced vigilance, maintain all round lookout for suspicious
boats, report all incidents to the nearest coastal State and flag State
immediately, and implement preventive measures recommended in the
Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in
Asia,” the report added.
