Loss Prevention Advice
- Details
- News /
Over the past week, 4-7 July two incidents of piracy or armed robbery against ships in Asia.
Two CAT 4 incidents of armed robbery (AR) against ships in Asia and one CAT 4 piracy incident. The piracy incident occurred onboard a tugboat and a barge off Pulau Batam, Indonesia, in the South China Sea on 21 June 2026. One AR incident occurred onboard a bulk carrier while at anchor at the Bahodopi Anchorage, Indonesia on 30 June 2026.
The other AR incident occurred onboard a tanker while transiting the Malacca Strait (MS) to Singapore on 5 July 2026. The crew members were not injured, and some ship property / stores were stolen in all three incidents.
Area of concern
With the incident reported in MS, a total of 22 incidents were reported in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) since January 2026. An advice to ships shall 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 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’.
In its Advisory on 14 Feb 2025 advised ships to “exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the Operation Centres 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.
- Details
- News /
HIT (COURTESY OF SAFETY FOR SEA)
A Russian strike hit a Togolese-flagged cargo vessel while it was unloading mineral fertilisers at the Port of Odesa on 13 July, killing five people and injuring 10 others, Ukrainian officials said.
According to Odesa regional governor Oleh Kiper, the attack struck the vessel’s superstructure, triggering a fire. Among those killed were three foreign crew members, while two additional bodies were recovered by rescue teams as they worked to extinguish the blaze.
Furthermore, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister for Communities and Territories Development, Oleksii Kuleba, said the injured crew members were taken to hospital for treatment. Kuleba condemned the incident as “another Russian strike against civilian shipping and Ukraine’s port infrastructure,” warning that attacks on merchant vessels threaten international navigation, global trade and food security.
The strike comes amid escalating maritime activity linked to the war. Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces said they have targeted 105 vessels associated with Russia’s so-called shadow fleet in the Sea of Azov over the past eight days, including tankers, dry cargo ships, ferries and tugboats.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has renewed calls for an immediate halt to attacks on civilian merchant shipping. He warned that ongoing geopolitical conflicts are placing seafarers, maritime safety and global supply chains at increasing risk and has urged all parties to respect international law and protect those working at sea.
- Details
- News /
We have just received the below from one of our sources, whilst mainly focused around the recent SOH incidents, interesting to see the number of small craft operating in the GOA as we know a number of your clients operate in this region.
The activity certainly seems to be picking up.
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
Date: 13/07/2026
Location: Gulf of Aden
Vessel/s: BANIYAS – Oil products Tanker, Marshall Island, IMO 9838228.
- Details
- News /
The Unlikely Side Effect: How western sanction packages affect the rise of theft of agricultural and construction-related machinery across Europe.
Introduction
In the recent years, theft of various types of specialized machinery has surged across the continent, leaving engineers, construction workers and farmers helpless. In this circular we would like to bring this rapidly developing problem to your attention.
Across the UK, Benelux and other Northwestern European countries, a staggering rise of theft of GPS units, tachymeters, copper cables as well as surveying instruments and other small and mid-sized equipment has been reported. The practice has become so widespread that it has to be recognized as no longer accidental but as a systemic and strategic threat to the industry. It forms a part of transnational, transborder organized crime targeting specifically this sort of equipment due to its high resale value and portability.