Two incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia from 2-8 June

Over the past week, 2-8 June, two (one CAT 3 and one CAT 4) incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.

Both incidents occurred onboard bulk carriers while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in Singapore Strait on June 5.

The crew were not injured in both incidents. Service kits and a DG turbo charger were stolen in the CAT 3 incident while nothing was stolen in the CAT 4 incident.

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 first incident took place 1.9 nautical miles off Pulau Cula in Indonesia on June 5 at 0228 hrs involving a bulk carrier.

Three perpetrators were reported, not armed, with no items stolen. No injuries were reported during this CAT 4 incident.

The second incident occurred on June 5 at 0352 hrs 2.3 nautical miles off Pulau Cula in Indonesia also involving a bulk carrier.

Three perpetrators were reported, armed with knives and gun-like object. No injuries were reported in this CAT3 incident, but service kits and a DG turbo charger were stolen.

With the incidents reported in Singapore Strait, a total of 19 incidents were reported in Straits of Malacca and Singapore since January 2026.

The ReCAAP ISC, known as the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), advises ships 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 Update

For a 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 January 17, 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’.

ReCAAP ISC Advisory

The ReCAAP ISC, in its advisory on February 14, 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.