ReCAAP ISC: An incident of armed robbery from September 24th to 30th

TThe incident occurred on September 30, 2024, on board a bulk carrier while traveling in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait (SS). With this latest incident in SS, a total of 35 incidents have been reported in the Strait of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) since January 2024. The ReCAAP ISC advises vessels to exercise increased vigilance when transiting through SOMS and the riparian states in order to increase patrols and enforcement activities in to strengthen these areas.

Situation of kidnapping of crew members in the Sulu-Celebes Sea and the waters off eastern Sabah

Reassess and downgrade the threat level

The Philippine government's efforts in Zamboanga, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi through continuous military operations resulted in the dismantling of the support base and neutralization of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the Sulu Archipelago. Against this backdrop, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with other stakeholders and colleagues involved in the maritime security of the Sulu-Celebes Sea, reviewed the threat situation and recommended a further downgrade of the threat level of “kidnapping of crew members for ransom in Sulu”. -Celebes Seas” from “MODERATE” to “MODERATE LOW”, meaning that “incidents are unlikely as perpetrators appear to be incapable of orchestrating an attack.” However, in the event of one “The attack is expected to result in minimal damage to the ship and crew.”

ReCAAP ISC Advisory Update

• With the PCG downgrading the threat of “kidnapping of crew members for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Sea” by the PCG, the ReCAAP ISC has updated its advisory for vessels to “exercise vigilance while transiting the area and take necessary preventive measures to seize”.

• Ship captains and crew members are strongly advised to be particularly vigilant and immediately report any incidents to operations centers in the Philippines and Malaysia's Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM).