THERE was a total of seven incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia in October but no piracy incident was reported, according to data released by ReCP Information Sharing Centre in its latest monthly report.
ReCP said that although no incidents of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off eastern Sabah were reported, the abduction of crew for ransom in these areas 'remains a serious concern'.
The organisation said it is also 'concerned about the increase in the number of incidents reported on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait'.
Among the seven incidents of armed robbery against ships reported in October, two were attempted incidents.
Three incidents occurred on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait and the other four incidents happened on board ships anchored at ports and anchorages in India and Indonesia.
Of the five actual incidents in October, one was a CAT 2 incident and four were CAT 4 incidents, a statement said.
The CAT 2 incident occurred on board a bulk carrier while underway in the Singapore Strait when five perpetrators armed with a gun and jungle knife boarded the bulk carrier, threatened the duty oiler and tied his hands, stole engine spares and escaped.
As for the four CAT 4 incidents, two incidents occurred in Indonesia (Cigading anchorage and Dumai anchorage), one occurred in the Singapore Strait and one off Gopnath Point, India.
WORLD SHIPPING
ReCP said that although no incidents of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off eastern Sabah were reported, the abduction of crew for ransom in these areas 'remains a serious concern'.
The organisation said it is also 'concerned about the increase in the number of incidents reported on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait'.
Among the seven incidents of armed robbery against ships reported in October, two were attempted incidents.
Three incidents occurred on board ships while underway in the Singapore Strait and the other four incidents happened on board ships anchored at ports and anchorages in India and Indonesia.
Of the five actual incidents in October, one was a CAT 2 incident and four were CAT 4 incidents, a statement said.
The CAT 2 incident occurred on board a bulk carrier while underway in the Singapore Strait when five perpetrators armed with a gun and jungle knife boarded the bulk carrier, threatened the duty oiler and tied his hands, stole engine spares and escaped.
As for the four CAT 4 incidents, two incidents occurred in Indonesia (Cigading anchorage and Dumai anchorage), one occurred in the Singapore Strait and one off Gopnath Point, India.
WORLD SHIPPING