The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC), together with the three co-organisers BIMCO, INTERTANKO and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), held an annual Piracy and Sea Robbery Conference on Thursday (27 April) in conjunction with Singapore Maritime Week 2023. 

This year’s conference featured a two-part panel discussion where panellists deliberated on the importance of “Partnership” between the shipping industry and law enforcement agencies in combating piracy and armed robbery against ships, to ensure safe and secure seas for seafarers.

Dr Heike Deggim, Director of the Maritime Safety Division at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), in her keynote address, provided an update on the global situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships.

Dr Deggim expressed appreciation for the excellent work of ReCAAP ISC and the achievements of the organisation since 2006, in its mission to enhance regional cooperation through information sharing, capacity building and cooperative arrangements. 

She urged the ReCAAP ISC to continue to organise the Piracy and Sea robbery conference aimed at building regional capacity to counter the menace of piracy and armed robbery against ships. In addition, she shared how States in Africa are working together and strengthening their capabilities to combat maritime crime and piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Guinea. 

Vice-Admiral (Indian Navy Retired) Pradeep Chauhan, Director of the National Maritime Foundation, India, shared how the Indian authorities work with stakeholders to combat maritime crimes. 

CG Admiral Artemio M. Abu, Commandant of Philippine Coast Guard, and the Chairperson of ReCAAP ISC Governing Council, said: “From January to March 2023, 25 incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to ReCAAP ISC. This is a 9% increase over the same period last year. Given the current inflationary pressures and uncertain economic outlook, many of the factors which drive individuals to commit piracy and sea robbery may return, and may lead to higher number of incidents this year. The shipping industry must continue to adopt best practices such as timely and accurate incident reporting and close collaboration with maritime authorities, to keep our sea lanes safe and protect crew and cargo.” 

In the first panel discussion, representatives from BIMCO, INTERTANKO, Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) discussed the emerging trends and modus operandi of piracy and sea robbery incidents in Asia. 

Ashok Srinivasan, Manager of Maritime Safety and Security, BIMCO, said: “Piracy and armed robbery in any form is a threat to seafarers and shipping. In the Gulf of Guinea, we are beginning to see attacks again after a lull of 12 to 18 months. In South East Asia, we are witnessing attacks to ships' crew with the intention to steal cargo, stores or sometimes even the ship. Industry and authorities need to stay vigilant and not let their guard down. BIMCO will work tirelessly with relevant stakeholders to bring piracy problems under control.” 

Mr Elfian Harun, Regional Manager (Southeast Asia) and Environment Manager, INTERTANKO, said: “Piracy and armed robbery are crimes that no seafarer should have to face. Fortunately, the armed robbery taking place in the Singapore Strait has, thus far, not resulted in injury to crew, but the situation remains a real concern due to its potential impact upon the safety of navigation. ReCAAP ISC and its partners have taken tremendous steps to eradicate these crimes and this coordinated response is an example the other regions should consider emulating.” 

The second panel discussion saw representatives from the Maritime Security Task Force (Republic of Singapore Navy), BAKAMLA (Indonesian Maritime Security Agency) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) share best practices which ship masters should adopt to engage littoral states and law enforcement agencies. The panellists also highlighted individual country’s initiatives and cooperative efforts undertaken to suppress piracy and sea robbery in their territorial waters. 

Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, Executive Deputy Chairman of RSIS, said, “The number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the region continues to be a reference point to which the international community assesses the safety and security of regional waters. This conference gathers stakeholders and serves as a reminder on the importance of sustaining collective efforts and to always remain vigilant.” 

Executive Director ReCAAP ISC, Krishnaswamy Natarajan, in his closing remarks, said: “Combating piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia is not the sole responsibility of the coastal States or the shipping industry, but a common responsibility shared by all stakeholders since it is a transnational maritime crime. Building trust and confidence among stakeholders is necessary to promote cooperation, collaboration and information sharing, and to reduce piracy and armed robbery incidents against ships in Asia.”

Manifold Times previously reported global oil and shipping group Monjasa stating pirates boarded Liberia-flagged oil tanker Monjasa Reformer on 25 March off Congo in West Africa. The pirates then abandoned the vessel and ‘brought part of the crew members with them’. 

In another incident, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) received a report that the Singapore-registered Success 9 was boarded by unidentified persons at about 300 nautical miles off the Abidjan Coast, Cote d’lvoire at about 10 pm (Singapore time) on 10 April.

Manifold Times then reported MPA was updated that Success 9 has been located off the coast of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. All crew, including the Singaporean crew, were safe and in good health. The ship safely arrived at Abidjan port.

In April, Information Fusion Centre IFC provided an infographic on recommended measures for ship transiting in areas of concerns especially Singapore Strait in light of increased theft, robbery and piracy at sea.

Related: Breaking: Singapore-registered oil tanker “Success 9” located, crew safe
Related: IMO urges for regional and international efforts in response to recent piracy incidents
Related: IMB records lowest level of Q1 piracy since 1993 in 2023 report
Related: IFC publishes key observations from sea robbery incident reports
Related: Pirates abandon “Monjasa Reformer”, portion of crew returns to safety
Related: Pirates board Monjasa oil tanker “Monjasa Reformer” in Gulf of Guinea
Related: IFC: Update of boarding and attempted boarding incidents in Singapore Strait (Dec)

Photo credit: ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre
Published: 2 May, 2023