Four incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia (three CAT 4 incidents and one attempted incident) were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.
To remind, CAT (category) 3 incident is classified as “less significant” in nature, whilst CAT (category) 4 incident is classified as “least significant” in nature.
The ReCAAP ISC, known as the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), said all incidents occurred onboard ships while underway off Pulau Cula, Indonesia, in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of Singapore Strait (SS).
No injuries were reported in all four incidents. Meanwhile, nothing was reported stolen in three incidents whilst engine spares were stolen in one incident.
The first incident occurred onboard a general cargo ship 2.3 nm off Pulau Cula, Indonesia on April 19. Four perpetrators were reported, no items were stolen and no injuries.
The second incident occurred onboard a chemical tanker 4.8 nm off Pulau Cula, Indonesia on May 2. Four perpetrators were reported, engine spares were stolen and no injuries.
The third incident occurred onboard a tanker 6 nm off Pulau Cula, Indonesia on May 2. Five perpetrators were reported, no items were stolen and no injuries.
The last incident involved a bulk carrier 5.1 nm off Pulau Cula, Indonesia on May 5. Two perpetrators were reported, no items were stolen and no injuries.
With the four incidents in SS, a total of 47 incidents were reported in SOMS since January 2025.
Concerned with the increase and continued occurrence of incidents in SOMS, the ReCAAP ISC advises ships to exercise enhanced vigilance when transiting SOMS and the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.
Meanwhile, ReCAAP ISC updated its advisory on February 14 for 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)”.
Ships are also advised to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.
