We cover piracy, armed robbery at sea, IUU fishing, maritime cyber security and maritime security issues.
During 14-20 Apr 20, four incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC. Of the four incidents, one was a piracy incident (CAT 41) that occurred on board a VLCC while underway in the South China Sea.
The three incidents of armed robbery against ships were a CAT 32 incident that occurred on board a container ship while anchored at Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) Breakwater, Philippines, two CAT 4 incidents that occurred on board, a bulk carrier while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait and an oil tanker while anchored off Alang Anchorage, India.
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Source: recaap.org
To download the report, please click here.
KOTA KINABALU, April 21 — The curfew in waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) that was ended at 6pm yesterday has been extended until May 5, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Zaini Jas.
He said during the curfew, which covered the waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran, people living in the areas were required to stay indoors and were not allowed to be in the waters between 6pm and 6am.
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Source: malaymail.com
The Indian Navy (IN) has emphasised that it remains “combat-ready, mission-capable, and in full readiness”, after 26 of its personnel were quarantined after testing positive for Covid-19 coronavirus.
“All missions for coastal and offshore security continue as before. Operational units are being maintained in readiness by following a 14-day quarantine routine to meet immediate contingencies, including assistance to civil authorities and friendly maritime neighbours, said India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) on 18 April. “Our naval assets continue to be mission-deployed in three dimensions, with all the networks and space assets functioning optimally,” it added.
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Source: janes.com
The Philippine government vowed Monday to pursue Abu Sayyaf militants relentlessly after the military said it killed a suspected senior member of the group in the wake of a Friday clash that left 11 soldiers dead in southern Sulu province.
Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group would continue without letup after last week’s gunfight on Sulu’s Jolo Island in which 14 other army members were wounded.
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Source: benarnews.org
By IMRAN HILMY
LANGKAWI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has deployed more of its assets at sea and air to beef up patrols and increase enforcement during the movement control order (MCO) period nationwide.
Kedah and Perlis MMEA deputy operations director Kapt Zulinda Ramly said the increase of the assets was meant to prevent cross-border criminal activities, which include human trafficking, contraband smuggling, piracy and encroachment of foreign fishermen, especially at hotspots in the maritime zone along the Straits of Malacca, South China Sea and Sulu Sea.
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Source: thestar.com.my
Iran will give a decisive response to any mistake by the United States in the Gulf, the Revolutionary Guards navy said in a statement published on the Guards’ news site Sepah News.
The U.S. military said on Wednesday that 11 vessels from the Revolutionary Guards navy had come dangerously close to U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Gulf, calling the moves “dangerous and provocative”.
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Source: yahoo.com
A total of 29 incidents of armed robbery against ships (comprising 28 actual incidents and one attempted incident) were reported in Asia during January-March 2020 compared to 10 incidents (comprising nine actual incidents and one attempted incident) during January-March 2019. This accounts for a three-fold increase in the total number of incidents reported during January-March 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. All incidents reported during January-March 2020 were armed robbery against ships. No piracy incident was reported.
The increase of incidents during January- March 2020 occurred in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore Strait. Three incidents were reported in Bangladesh during January-March 2020 compared to no incident during January-March 2019. Six incidents were reported in India during January-March 2020 compared to no incident during the same period in 2019. In Indonesia, six incidents were reported during January-March 2020 compared to three incidents during the same period in 2019. In the Philippines, four incidents were reported during January-March 2020 compared to two incidents during the same period in 2019.
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Source: recaap.org/
To download the ReCAAP 2020 Q1 Report, please click here.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Eleven vessels from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) came dangerously close to U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Gulf, the U.S. military said on Wednesday, calling the moves “dangerous and provocative.”
While such interactions had occurred occasionally a few years ago, they had stopped, and this incident comes at a time of increased tensions between the two countries.
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Source: reuters.com
Date: 14th April 2020
Location: 254800N, 0571400E
ADVISORY NOTICE 001/APR/2020 – UPDATE Reference Incident #112 The vessel previously reported has now been released and is now under the control of the Master. Vessel and crew are safe. All vessels in the vicinity are to stay vigilant and to report any incidents to UKMTO ADVISORY NOTICE 001/APR/2020 UKMTO was advised on 14th Apr 2020 at 1228UTC that a vessel had been boarded by armed men, while at anchor in position 25-41N 056-59E. The vessel is now reported to be at anchor approx. 3nm of Ras Al Kuh, in vicinity of 25-48N 057-14E. UKMTO is continuing to monitor the situation All vessels in the vicinity are to stay vigilant and to report any incidents to UKMTO VESSELS TRANSITING THE AREA ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION
Source: ukmto.org
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