(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) A total of 26 incidents of Armed Robbery Against Ships (ARAS) were reported in Asia during JanuaryMarch 2024. This marks a 4% decrease in the number of incidents during January-March 2024 compared to 27 incidents reported during January-March 2023. No piracy incident was reported in Asia during this period.
There has been an improvement in situation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS). The number of incidents in SOMS though decreased by 45% but, witnessed an increase in the number of incidents involving perpetrators who were armed, during January-March 2024 compared to January-March 2023.
The Manila Anchorage in the Philippines has also reported a decrease in the number of incidents during January-March 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. However, there was an increase in the number of incidents in Bangladesh, India and Indonesia during January-March 2024 compared to January-March 2023. No incident of abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas was reported during JanuaryMarch 2024.
The last abduction of crew incident occurred in January 2020. However, the threat of abduction of crew for ransom continues to remain due to the presence of remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the Sulu and Tawi Tawi area. Ships are advised to “exercise vigilance and adopt the necessary preventive measures when transiting the area”, and maintain communication with the authorities and to report all incidents to the Operations Centres of the Philippines and ESSCOM.
Source: RECAAP