The Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia

Posted to the ReCAAP Information Sharing Center: The Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia

Go the following URL for a full copy of the report: http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/regional-guide-to-counter-piracy-and-armed-robbery-against-ships-in-asia-3.pdf

Piracy and armed robbery in the Asian region has been evolving over time. The definitions of ‘piracy’ (in accordance with UNCLOS) and ‘armed robbery against ships’ (in accordance with IMO) can be found in Annex A. The Asian region in this guide refers to the area as marked on Marsec Charts Q6112 and Q6113 (Annex B).

It should be noted that piracy and armed robbery in Asia differs significantly from that of Somalia-based piracy. While Somalian-based pirates generally attacked ships in order to hijack them and then hold the crew for ransom, the type of criminal activity occurring in Asian waters generally revolves around theft of personal property and hijacking of ships for the purpose of cargo theft. Although the common modus operandi in the region has not changed significantly in the last decade, there were some trends in recent years which have attracted attention. The Tug Boats and Barges (TaB) Guide Against Piracy and Sea Robbery launched in January 2013 was a response to the increase in number of incidents involving tug boats and barges between 2008 and 2012. A spike in the number of incidents involving oil cargo theft from 2014-2015 prompted the release of the Guide for Tankers Operating in Asia against Piracy and Armed Robbery Involving Oil Cargo Theft in November 2015.
Beyond the more specific trends involving particular types of ships, it is notable that the last four years (2012-2015) has witnessed a general increase in the number of boardings involving all types of ship while underway and at certain ports and anchorages in Asia. Refer to Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC)’s website (www.recaap.org) for updates on incidents and trends.

With attacks becoming more widespread and in some cases violent, the maritime community has requested a comprehensive guide which covers all types of ships operating in Asian waters. This guide encompasses the TaB Guide Against Piracy and Sea Robbery and Guide for Tankers Operating in Asia against Piracy and Sea Robbery Involving Oil Cargo Theft; and will take into consideration the occurrence of incidents involving all types of ship while underway and at ports and anchorages in Asian waters.

http://www.recaap.org/