ReCAAP - Monthly Report APRIL - Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia

OVERVIEW

A total of nine incidents of piracy¹ and armed robbery against ships² were reported in Asia in April 2020. Of the nine incidents, one was a piracy incident and eight were incidents of armed robbery against ships. There was no report of abduction of crew in the Sulu Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah in April 2020.

However, the abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah remains a serious concern. The ReCAAP ISC is also concerned about the continued occurrence of incidents on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait.

With three incidents reported in April 2020, a total of 12 incidents have been reported in the Singapore Strait since January 2020. Of the 12 incidents, 11 incidents occurred in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) and one incident in the precautionary area in the Singapore Strait. The ReCAAP ISC has issued an Incident Alert (IA/04/2020) on 30 Apr 20 on the three incidents which occurred during 16-30 Apr to ships while underway in the Singapore Strait.