Asia/Pacific News
ReCAAP: July Was First Month This Year With No Reported Fuel Siphoning Incidents
The month of July was the first time so far in 2015 that no fuel siphoning incidents were known to have occurred, the Regional Co-operation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) announced in its monthly report.
The organization speculated that the arrest of the eight alleged hijackers of the Orkim Harmony earlier this year could be the reason for the lack of activity, with other perpetrators possibly choosing to lie low for the time being.
Overall, 10 incidents of armed robbery were reported last month, with the number of piracy incidents reportedly 38 percent lower than July 2014 and 41 percent lower than July 2013.
The seriousness of the attacks this month has also reportedly declined compared to July of previous years, with six cases of petty theft compared to last year's eight, one less significant incident compared with 2014's two, and one moderately significant compared to last year's three.
There were reportedly no very significant incidents, a fall from last year's three.
"A sharp decline occurred in July 2015," ReCAAP said.
"This could be attributed to the persistent and intensive efforts by the littoral states to step up its surveillance efforts and precautionary measures undertaken by ship masters and crew."
In June, the product tanker Orkim Harmony had been carrying 6,000 metric tonnes of petrol, when it was hijacked.
The ship was later reportedly found in Cambodian waters and renamed Kim Harmon.
