• A total of 64 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships (comprising 50 actual incidents and 14 attempted incidents) reported in Asia during January-September 2018
  • Of the 64 incidents, three were incidents of piracy and 61 were incidents of armed robbery against ships
  • Compared to January-September 2017, there was a 3% increase in the total number of incidents reported during January-September 2018
  • The number of actual incidents reported during January-September 2018 was the lowest among the 10-year period of January-September of 2009-2018
  • Of the 50 actual incidents reported during January-September 2018, one was a CAT 1 incident, five were CAT 2 incidents, 10 were CAT 3 incidents and 34 were CAT 4 incidents

Sulu-Celebes Seas

Concerning the abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah, two incidents (comprising one actual incident and one attempted incident) were reported during January-September 2018 compared to seven incidents (comprising three actual incidents and four attempted incidents) reported during the same period in 2017.

Although the number of incidents has decreased, there remains imminent threat of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah, as demonstrated by the latest incident of abduction of two fishermen from a fishing boat (Sri Dewi 1) on 11 Sep 18 in waters off Eastern Sabah.

Ships are strongly advised to enhance vigilance against presence of suspicious boats.

Enforcement agencies are requested to enhance patrol and surveillance in areas of concern and make quick response to all incidents.

ReCAAP ISC maintains its advisory issued via its Incident Alert on 21 Nov 16, advising all ships to re-route from the area, where possible. 

Other Areas of Concern

Of concern is the increase in incidents on board ships at ports and anchorages in Chittagong, Bangladesh and off Samarinda in East Kalimantan, Indonesia; as well as on board ships while underway in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) during January-September 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.