Over the past week, 14-20 April, five CAT 4 incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.
Three of the incidents occurred onboard ships while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in Singapore Strait (SS), two of which were tugboats and barges. The other two incidents occurred onboard ships while at anchor at Manila North Anchorage, Philippines and Nahodopi, Indonesia Anchorage. The crew members were not injured in all five incidents while some unsecured items were stolen in three incidents.
Area of concern
With the incident reported in SS, a total of 14 incidents were reported in SOMS since January 2026. Ships are advised to intensify vigilance and maintain sharp look-out while transiting the areas of concern and report all incidents immediately to the nearest coastal State. The Centre also urges the littoral States to increase patrols/surveillance in their respective waters, respond promptly to incidents reported, strengthen coordination and promote information sharing on incidents and the criminal groups involved in order to arrest the perpetrators.
Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off eastern Sabah
For a 6th consecutive year, there has been no report of incident of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah. The last incident occurred on 17 Jan 2020. In January 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts further downgraded the threat level of ‘Abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ to ‘LOW’, meaning ‘No information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence incidents are not expected to occur’.
ReCAAP ISC advisory
The ReCAAP ISC, in its Advisory on 14 Feb 2025 advised ships to “exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM)”. Also, to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.
Recommendations
Ship master and crew are to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, referring to the Poster on the Contact Details for Reporting of Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, exercise vigilance and adopt appropriate preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia; both produced by the ReCAAP ISC.
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