ReCAAP ISC: Two incidents of armed robbery 3-9 March

March 15 ------ Over the past week, 3-9 March, one CAT 3 incident and one CAT 4 incident of armed robbery against ships in Asia was reported to the ReCAAP ISC.

Both incidents occurred onboard ships while they were underway off Pulau Cula, Indonesia in the eastbound lane of traffic separation scheme (TSS) of Singapore Strait (SS), Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS). The CAT 4 incident occurred onboard a bulk carrier on 28 Feb 2026, while the CAT 3 incident occurred onboard an LPG tanker on 7 Mar 2026. The crew were not injured in both incidents.

Area of concern

With the two incidents in SS, a total of seven incidents were reported in SOMS since January 2026. The ReCAAP ISC advises ships to continue to exercise vigilance and maintain a sharp look-out when transiting SOMS; and the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.

Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah

For the 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