Asia’s Piracy Situation is Improving

The number and severity of reported incidents against ships in Asia declined significantly in February compared with both the previous month and previous year period, ReCAAP reported.

A total of three incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in February 2016. No piracy incident was reported. Graph 1 shows the number of incidents reported between February 2015 and February 2016. The number of incidents reported in February 2016 is lowest among the 12-months period.

Further, no incidents involving oil cargo theft was reported in February 2016, continuously from September 2015.

All three incidents in February 2016 were Category 4 incidents, indicating that the incidents were opportunitistic in nature involving perpetrators who were not armed and escaped immediately after realising that they have been sighted by the crew. Of the three incidents, one reported loss of stores and in the other two incidents, nothing was stolen.

Of the three incidents reported in February 2016, two occurred on board ships while anchored in India (Tuna Buoy anchorage, Kandla and Haldia Dock Complex, Kolkata); and the third incident occurred while the ship was underway in the Gulf of Khambat off Gadhula, India.

The situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia continued to improve in February 2016 with lowest number of incidents reported during February 2015-February 2016. Coupled with the decrease in the number of incidents was also a reduction in the severity level of incidents. Notably, no incident involving hijacking of tankers for theft of oil cargo had been reported since September 2015. Also, there was no report of unauthorised boarding in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) since November 2015.

However, more needs to be done at certain ports and anchorages in India where the port authorities along with the state marine police and relevant enforcement agencies need to enhance their surveillance; and ship masters and crew to maintain stringent watch-keeping while their ships are anchored/berthed there.

Whilst there has been improvement, consolidated efforts by the stakeholders at sea and on land to do their part towards apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators are key towards clamping down this maritime crime.