IFC - Information Fusion Centre - MARSEC Weekly Report

1. Highlights:

- PIRACY/ROBBERY/MARITIM TERRORISM

Three robbery events (1 sea theft and 2 attempted actions) occurred along Eastbound lane of Traffic Separation Scheme in Singapore Strait, all underway, on:
- an Iran flagged bulk carrier, boarded by 3 perpetrators (no missing items and no injuries sustained) - 11 Oct;
- a Singapore-flagged chemical tanker, boarded by 3 perpetrators (no missing items and no injuries sustained) - 13 Oct;
- a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, boarded by 3 perpetrators (one lifebuoy and several wielding rods were reported missing, no injuries sustained) - 14 Oct;

Total events in 2020 : 88 incidents since the beginning of the year in IFC area of responsibility (compared to 67 at the same date in 2019).
Areas of interest:
- Singapore Strait (and in vicinity): 21 incidents in 2017, 20 in 2018, 45 in 2019, 29 in 2020;
- Sulu Sea: No successful kidnapping of merchant vessels in this area since the attack on SUPER SHUTTLE TUG 1 in March 2017, but the latest maritime event was on a fishing vessel in January 2020. It is more likely that small craft, fishing vessels and local merchant vessels operating near the Sulu archipelago, from the southern area of the Sulu Sea off Sabah to Zamboanga, will be primarily targeted considering the current destabilization of ASG groups by the Philippine army. However, any transit of a vessel with low freeboard and / or low speed in this area is still dangerous, especially for ships like pleasure crafts or yachts, the risk remaining high according to the Philippines CG;
- Following anchorage areas:
  - Bangladesh: Chittagong;
  - India: Kakinada, Alang;
  - Indonesia: Anyer, Batam, Begawan, Belawan, Dumai, Merak, Muara Berau, Panjang, Sandakan, Samarinda, Taboneo and Tanjung Uban;
  - Philippines: Manila, Bauan/Batangas, General Santos Harbour ;
  - Vietnam: Campha, Ho Chi Minh, Vung Tau.

- IUU

Oct 8: The Indonesian Navy seized a foreign fishing vessel for poaching in the North Natunas Sea, Riau Islands;
Oct 10: A foreign fishing vessel along with 15 fishermen into Malaysian waters was arrested by MMEA;
Oct 12: THAI-MECC dispatched PGM 268 fast patrol vessel to exercise state jurisdiction by pushing away 30 Cambodian small fishing boats as they were fishing illegally;

- CONTRABAND

Oct 8: Local authorities seized more than 300 master cases of smuggled cigarettes estimated to be worth US$222,428 aboard a fishing vessel that sailed to Zamboanga Del Sur, Pagadian City from Sulu;
Oct 12: Local authorities seized over 100kg of illicit drugs (Héroin, meth) off Hulhumale, Maldives;
Oct 13: Local authorities detained a boat containing 500kg of Ketum leaves off Kuala Perlis, Malaysia;

- MARITIME INCIDENTS

Oct 8: Three individuals were rescued while four others are still missing following two separate sinking boat incidents in Selangor water, Malaysia;
Oct 9: Local authorities detained six illegal Chinese fishing vessels in waters east of Johor, Malaysia, and hauled up the 60 people who were on board for unauthorised anchoring;
Oct 10: One crew reported dead, seven others rescued and four crew swam to safety after a dredger was pushed aground off Cua Viet, Vietnam;
Oct 11: A boat carrying six fishermen capsized off Hejamadi, India, leaving one missing and five rescued;
Oct 11: Four fishermen were rescued and one dead after their fishing vessel capsized off Hejamady, India;
Oct 12: One fisherman is still missing, and six crew were rescued by Myanmar Navy ship after their fishing vessel capsized off Mali Island, Myanmar;