On 8 May 16, the ReCAAP ISC received information from the shipping company about the loss of communications with product tanker, Hai Soon 12.
Hai Soon 12 , carrying 4,000 metric tons of Marine Gas Oil (MGO), departed Singapore for the Southern Ocean to conduct high seas bunkering/selling MGO to fishing vessels.
However, the ship was observed to have deviated from her planned route and moved in an easterly direction towards Sulawesi. Upon receipt of the information, the ReCAAP ISC immediately informed BAKAMLA, who shared the information with the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL).
The incident was also reported to the Information Fusion Centre (IFC), who worked closely with the shipping company to monitor the position of Hai Soon 12. Two TNI-AL ships were despatched to locate Hai Soon 12, who maintained her course towards Bawean Island until on 8 May 16 at about 2211 hrs, she altered course tracking eastwards.
On 9 May 16 at about 1430 hrs, the TNI-AL ships intercepted, boarded Hai Soon 12 and arrested the nine perpetrators found on board. All 21 crew was safe and not injured, and the cargo was found to be intact. The ship was reportedly renamed to “AI SO ”.
Initial investigations revealed that on 7 May 16 at about 2045 hrs, nine perpetrators climbed up the poop deck of Hai Soon 12 from a small boat in waters off Pulau Belitung, Indonesia.
The crew was tied up in the mess room and they overheard about the intent to sell the MGO in the night. Hai Soon 12 has since been detained in Surabaya for further investigation.
This is the first incident of hijacking of tanker for oil cargo theft in 2016; and was foiled by the authorities.
Among the best practices and contributing factors leading to the arrest of the perpetrators were: timely reporting of incident by the company to the ReCAAP ISC via its mobile app; effective ReCAAP ISC information sharing mechanism and network among the ReCAAP ISC, ReCAAP Focal Points, IFC and the regional authorities; cooperation and collaboration among the littoral States and enforcement agencies; and immediate operational responses by the Indonesian authorities who despatched their assets to the location of the incident to intercept and arrest the perpetrators on board.
