World News
IMB Report: One Coastal Tanker Hijacked Every Two Weeks in SE Asia
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Tuesday reported that an average of one coastal tanker is hijacked by pirates in South East Asia every two weeks.
"After a steady drop in global piracy over the last few years, attacks rose 10 percent in the first quarter of 2015 on the same period of 2014," the ICC states.
While West Africa is a hotspot for violent piracy, the ICC states that the number of hijacks in South East Asia is "worrying," accounting for 55 percent of the world's 54 piracy and armed robbery incidents since the start of 2015.
"The frequency of these hijackings in South East Asia is an increasing cause for concern," said Pottengal Mukundan, Director of IMB.
"There's a risk that the attacks and violence could increase if left unabated," Mukundan continued.
Indonesia was named as the country with the highest number of attacks, "accounting for almost 40 percent of 2015 attacks, with two vessels hijacked and 19 vessels boarded," the ICC reported.
Vietnam has also seen a notable increase in armed robbery incidents, with eight reports in the past three months alone, specifically in and around Hai Phong and Vung Tau, according to the ICC.
While the IMB report showed zero incidents of piracy in Somalia during the first quarter of 2015, it advises that Best Management Practices should still be followed, as the threat of Somali piracy has not been eliminated.
On April 6, 2015 it was reported that bunker theft fuels piracy in South East Asia.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 646.50 | 5.50 | 773.50 | 11.50 |
| Rotterdam | 604.00 | 5.00 | 756.00 | 5.00 |
| Houston | 630.50 | 1.00 | 798.50 | 4.00 |
| Fujairah | 650.50 | 3.00 | 897.00 | 13.50 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 662.50 | 1.00 | 858.50 | 0.50 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 633.00 | 3.50 | 806.00 | 6.50 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 718.50 | 0.50 | 914.00 | 1.00 |
Popular Now More
-
Apr 23The ship had come to Singapore from St Petersburg. -
Apr 22The 46,000 DWT MR2 chemical tanker Green Land was arrested at about 3:30 PM on April 17. -
Apr 22Iranian fuel oil has been widely reported to have been resold in the bunker markets of ports in the region for years, as well as being exported further afield.