Piracy and Sea Robbery Situation in Asia in February 2019
A total of three incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in February 2019
There was no report of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah
There was no report of hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargo
However, the abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah remains a serious concern
Of the three incidents reported in February 2019, one incident occurred on board ship anchored at Caofeidian anchorage in China, one incident on board ship anchored at Belawan anchorage in Indonesia, and one incident on board ship while underway in the Singapore Strait
All three incidents reported in February 2019 were CAT 4
Comparative Data
Compared to February 2018, there was a 50% decrease in the number of incidents reported in February 2019
During January-February 2019, a total of six incidents were reported
All were incidents of armed robbery against ships; no incident of piracy was reported
Compared to January-February 2018, there was a 65% decrease in the total number of incidents reported during January-February 2019
The improvement was most apparent at ports/anchorages in Bangladesh, India, Philippines and Vietnam with no incident reported in these areas during January- February 2019 compared to the same period in 2018
Both the total number of incidents and the number of actual incidents reported during January- February 2019 are the lowest among the 13-year period of January-February of 2007-2019
Of the six actual incidents reported during January-February 2019, one was a CAT 3 incident and five were CAT 4 incidents
No CAT 1 or CAT 2 incident was reported during January-February of 2019
Situation in Sulu-Celebes Seas and Waters off Eastern Sabah
As the threat of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off eastern Sabah remains, ReCAAP ISC maintains its advisory issued via the ReCAAP ISC Incident Alert dated 21 Nov 16 to all ships to reroute from the area, where possible
Otherwise, ship masters and crew are strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the area, and report immediately to the Operation Centres of Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia