Asia/Pacific News
ReCAAP: Still No Tanker Hijackings for Oil Cargo Theft Since September
The latest report from the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ReCAPP), which covers incidents of piracy and armed robbery in Asian waters during April 2016, shows that there still have not been any incidents of tanker hijackings for oil cargo theft since September 2015.
ReCAAP says a total of 25 incidents were reported between January and the end of April in Asia, representing a 61 percent decline in number of incidents from the 64 incidents reported during the same period of 2015.
While there was a decrease in the number of overall incidents, ReCAAP notes that there were two Category 1 (very significant) incidents during the month of April that involved the abduction of crew from tug boats in the waters off east Sabah and southern Philippines.
"The ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the situation there, and has published a Special Report on 22 April 16 to share information on the recent situation and proposed measures to be taken by the shipping industry when operating in the vicinity," explained the organisation.
In March, marking the 10th Governing Council meeting of ReCAAP, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reaffirmed its support for the organisation, highlighting the "instrumental role" the ReCAAP has played in addressing piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia.
On Friday, Ship & Bunker reported that foreign ministers and chiefs of the armed forces from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines Thursday, at a meeting in Yogyakarta, agreed to participate in joint patrols the regions' surrounding waters.
