Over the past week, 18-24 November, three incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia (two CAT 3 incidents and one CAT 4 incident).
Two of the incidents (one CAT 3 and one CAT 4) occurred while the ships were underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait (SS), and one incident (CAT 3) occurred at Belawan Anchorage, Indonesia. The crew members were safe in all three incidents. Ship stores and scrap metal were stolen in two incidents, and nothing was stolen in one incident.
Area of concern
With the two incidents reported in SS, a total of 102 incidents were reported in SOMS since January 2025. The ships shall to exercise enhanced vigilance when transiting SOMS and the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas as well as at their ports and anchorages.
Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah
Situation update
For a 5th 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’.
Advisory
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.