ReCAAP: Report Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia January-September
A total of 75 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships (comprising 73 actual incidents and two attempted incidents) were reported in Asia during January-September 2020 compared to 54 incidents (comprising49 actual incidents and five attempted incidents) during January-September 2019.This accounts for an increase of 39% in the total number of incidents reported during January-September 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
Of the 75 incidents, 71 were incidents of armed robbery against ships and four were piracy incidents. The increase of incidents during January-September 2020 occurred in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South China Sea and Singapore Strait. However, there was improvement at the ports/anchorages in China and Malaysia during January-September 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
Of concern was the continued increase of incidents on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait during January-September 2020 with 22 incidents, compared to 15 incidents during the same period in 2019.
The situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah remains a serious concern as demonstrated by the abduction incident on a fishingrawler on 17 Jan 20 off Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia where five crew were abducted; and information of planned kidnapping by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sabahand Semporna, Malaysia targeting ships passing by Tawi-Tawi and Sabah waters. On 29 Sep 20, the body of one of the five abducted crew from the fishing trawler was found during a military operation in Patikul, Sulu. Four crew are still held in captivity. Shipping companies are advised to follow the ReCAAP ISC’s ‘Guidance on Abduction of Crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and Waters off Eastern Sabah’ and maintain communication with the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command(ESSCOM) of Malaysia.
Also of concern was the increase of the number of incidents at Manila and Batangasanchor ages/ports in the Philippines during January-September 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The ReCAAP ISC has published a Special Report consisting of an Advisory on the measures to be taken by ship sanchored/berthed in the area, and the contact details of the local authorities
.In view of the increase of incidents in the locations as indicated in this Report, the ReCAAP ISC reiterates the need for law enforcement agencies to enhance surveillance, increase patrols and respond promptly to incidents reported by ships in order to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators. Ship masters and crew are strongly advised to exercise vigilance, maintain constant look out for suspicious boats in the vicinity, report allincidents immediately to the nearest coastal State, and implement preventive measures recommended in the ‘Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia’.
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Combined Maritime Forces And EUNAVFOR Discuss Counter-Piracy Campaigns
THE Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and EUNAVFOR have held discussions about developing their partnership in conducting counter-piracy operations in the region.
CMF’s Combined Task Force 151, an anti-piracy task force led by the Turkish Navy, held discussions with Commander of EUNAVFOR’s CTF 465, Rear Admiral Riccardo Marchiò via a video teleconference.
CTF 151 Commander, Rear Admiral Inanir said: “It is important that we continue discussions with our partners, especially in this crucial part of the world.”
“Today we talked about planning joint exercises, focused operations and information sharing. We need to ensure that there are no gaps in our routine patrols, so that we are both able to respond to incidents effectively,” RADM Inanir added.
Whilst the CTF 151 staff conducted the call from the CMF headquarters in Bahrain, RADM Marchiò was operating from the Italian frigate, Luigi Rizzo, as his task force commence counter piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.
CMF’s CTF 151 and EUNAVFOR’s CTF 465 both operate in a contentious region which is home to a number of the world’s most strategic chokepoints, and piracy and armed robbery at sea remain a threat to merchant shipping in the region.
Both commanders agree that the size of the area is a challenge that can only overcome by effective cooperation, demonstrating the importance of the partnership shared by CMF and EUNAVFOR.
“There are many merits to coordinating exercises and military campaigns together; warships are able to operate efficiently together,” said RADM Riccardo Marchiò.
“The south west monsoon season continues in the region, with associated blustery weather and a high sea state. As the weather eases, it becomes more feasible for pirates to operate again,” said RADM Inanir, concluding the call. “CTF 151 and CTF 465 must be ready and alert to prevent them.”