(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) The Asian region for the third consecutive year, received no report of piracy incidents on the high seas. There has been an improvement in the overall situation of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships (ARAS) in Asia during January-June 2024, with a 16% decrease in the number of incidents compared to January-June 2023.
A total of 51 incidents of Piracy and ARAS was reported during January-June 2024 compared to 61 incidents during the same period in 2023. The improvement occurred in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS), the Philippines, India, Thailand and Vietnam.
The number of incidents in SOMS decreased by 49% during January-June 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
However, there was an increase in the number of incidents in Bangladesh and Indonesia during January-June 2024 compared to January-June 2023.
The Centre commends the good efforts of the law enforcement agencies and shipping authorities of Bangladesh and Indonesia for the arrests of the perpetrators and prevention of unauthorised boarding at their ports/anchorages.
No incident of abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas was reported during JanuaryJune 2024. The last abduction of crew incident occurred in January 2020.
However, the threat of abduction of crew for ransom remains 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, to maintain communication with the authorities and to report all incidents to the Operations Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM).
Recommendations:
The ReCAAP ISC recommends that in view of the increase in incidents, particularly in the
locations mentioned in this report, the law enforcement agencies in Asia is required to enhance surveillance, increase patrols and respond promptly to the incidents reported by ships, in order to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.
Ship masters and crew are advised to exercise vigilance, maintain constant lookout for
suspicious boats in the vicinity and report all incidents immediately to the nearest coastal State (referring to the poster on ‘Piracy & Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Reporting of Incidents - Contact Details’), and implement preventive measures recommended in the ‘Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia’.
For complete details, click on the below image to download the full report:
Source:Â RECAAP
