Asia Reports 8 Piracy Incidents in November

A total of eight incidents of armed robbery were reported against ships in Asia in November 2019, according to ReCAAP ISC monthly piracy report.

ReCAAP said of the eight incidents reported in November 2019, five incidents, comprising four actual incidents and one attempted incident, occurred in the Singapore Strait.

The total number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported during January-November 2019 has decreased by 4%, but the number of actual incidents has increased by 3% compared to January-November 2018.

The report stated that of the six actual incidents reported in November 2019, three were CAT 3 incidents and three were CAT 4 incidents.

All three CAT 3 incidents occurred on board bulk carriers while underway in the Singapore Strait. Of the three CAT 4 incidents, one occurred on board a barge towed by a tug boat in the Singapore Strait, one occurred on board a product tanker berthed at Belawan Port, Indonesia and one occurred on board a tanker anchored at Batangas anchorage, Philippines.

There was also no report of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah reported in November 2019. However, the abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah remains a serious concern.

The ReCAAP ISC is also concerned about the continued occurrence of incidents on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait.