There were 101 incidents in 2017 of which 12 were failed attempts reported in the region compared to 85 in 2016. Of the incidents reported in 2017, the majority, 85 (84 percent), were armed robbery against ships, while 16 (16 percent) were piracy incidents. Two-thirds of the incidents occurred at anchor/berth (68 incidents), while one-third of the incidents occurred on board ships while underway (33 incidents). Ship stores, engine spares and unsecured items on board ships were the most commonly stolen items.

Of the 89 actual incidents reported, 31 occurred on board tankers, 22 on board bulk carriers, 13 on board container ships, 12 on board tug boats, six on board offshore supply vessels and one each on board a fishing trawler, general cargo ship, heavy transport vessel, research ship and supply vessel.

There was a decrease in number of incidents at ports and anchorages in India, Malaysia and Vietnam compared to 2016, and there was a decrease in the number of incidents of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas in 2017 (three incidents) compared to 2016 (10 incidents). There was a decline in the number of the most severe incidents (CAT 1) in 2017 compared to the past three years (2014 to 2016). These incidents reduced by more than 50 percent in 2017 (six incidents) compared to 2016 (13 incidents).

There was an increase in incidents at ports and anchorages in Chittagong and off Kutubdia Island, Bangladesh (11 incidents) as well as at Batangas and Manila, in the Philippines (17 incidents). There was also an increase in the number of incidents in the South China Sea (12) and the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (nine).

Read Full Article