Asia/Pacific News
ReCAPP: Still No Hijackings for Oil Theft in Asia Since September 2015
The latest report from the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ReCAPP) for January to the end of March 2016, shows that there still have been no incidents of tanker hijackings for the purpose of oil cargo theft in Asian waters since September 2015, adding that the overall situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the region continued to improve during the period.
Further, the report notes that there has been no unauthorised boarding of ships while underway in Singapore Straits since December 2015.
The report highlights that, of a total of 14 armed robbery and piracy incidents, 10 of them occurred in India, of which seven occurred at Kandla Anchorage.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is said to have apprehended 8 suspects in relation to those incidents, and detained the boat they were using on February 22, with ReCAAP adding that, while the investigation is ongoing, no further incidents were reported during the month of March in the region.
ReCAPP says that a notable incident took place on March 26, when a tug boat towing barge bound for Batangas, Philippines from Kalimantan, Indonesia was boarded by 17 armed men, who then kidnapped all 10 crew for ransom.
The report says that the overall improvement in piracy and armed robbery incidents in Asian waters can be attributed to proactive measures by enforcement agencies, including intensified patrolling, enhanced surveillance, and apprehension of masterminds and perpetrators.
In addition, ReCAPP says that stakeholder cooperation in information sharing and operational responses has helped the situation improve, as well as timely reporting, enhanced vigilance, and the adoption of best practices by ship masters, crew, and operators.
ReCAPP reiterated that there is "no room for complacency. No one agency can do it alone; we need cooperation and coordination of the littoral States, shipping industry and relevant stakeholders in working towards our shared commitment in keeping the sea in Asia safe."
In February, ReCAPP noted that along with a decline in the number of incidents, there "was also a reduction in the severity level of incidents."
