ReCAAP ISC: Two incidents of armed robbery 2-8 June

June 10 ------ Over the past week, 2-8 June, two (one CAT 3 and one CAT 4) incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.

The two armed robbery incidents occurred in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) on 05 Jun 2026. The first incident took place 1.9 nm off Pulau Cula, Indonesia at 0228 hrs involving a bulk carrier. Three perpetrators were involved, not armed, the crew was not injured, and nothing was stolen, categorized as CAT 4. The second incident occurred 2.3 nm off Pulau Cula, Indonesia at 0352 hrs, also involving a bulk carrier with three perpetrators who were armed with knives and a gun-like object. The crew was not injured, but service kits and a DG turbo charger were stolen, and the incident was categorized as CAT 3.

Area of concern

With the incidents reported in SS, a total of 19 incidents were reported in SOMS since January 2026. The ReCAAP ISC advises ships to continue to intensify vigilance, maintain a sharp look-out while transiting areas of concern and report all incidents to the law enforcement agencies immediately. The Centre also urges the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in their respective waters, respond promptly to incidents, strengthen coordination and promote information sharing on incidents and the criminal groups involved to arrest the perpetrators.

Situation Update

For a 6th consecutive year, there has been no report of incident of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah. The last incident occurred on 17 Jan 2020. In January 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts further downgraded the threat level of ‘Abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ to ‘LOW’, meaning ‘No information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence incidents are not expected to occur’.

ReCAAP ISC Advisory

The ReCAAP ISC, in its Advisory on 14 Feb 2025 advised ships to “exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the Operation Centers of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM)”. Also, to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.

Recommendations

Ship master and crew are to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, referring to the Poster on the Contact Details for Reporting of Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, exercise vigilance and adopt appropriate preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia; both produced by the ReCAAP ISC.

Source: safety4sea.com