In Marine Insurance P&I Club News,Piracy and Security News 04/03/2015
There has been a surge of piracy related incidents, including thefts, robberies as well as vessel hijackings for cargo siphoning during 2014, and further incidents have already been reported in the first months of 2015. Ships, particularly smaller tankers, should consider taking mitigation and loss prevention measures.
The Association is grateful to International Marine Transportation Singapore Pte Ltd for permission to republish their Safety Alert Bulletin Number 01/2015.
anker at dusk (Source: Skuld)
Risk of piracy and other crime in South East Asia
Members will be aware, both from previous club alerts as well as the shipping media, that there has been a noted increase in the number of incidents in South East Asian waters with respect to piracy as well as other physical crimes against crews and vessels.
While thefts and robberies, often at anchorage, have been a problem for some time, it is the hijacking of small tankers for the purpose of stealing the cargo on board (typically gas oil and similar products are targeted) which has become a relative new and significant issue.
During 2014, the IMB noted 16 hijacking incidents and ReCAAP recorded 11 siphoning incidents (these records do overlap). So far in 2015 it is reported that up to three tankers may have been hijacked.
While the cargo theft issue appears to affect smaller tankers (below 5,000 gt) in particular, other attacks and thefts have affected bulk carriers, container vessels, as well as tugs and barges. All vessels should therefore take note of the issue and seek to implement appropriate safety response measures. The implementation of a functioning ISPS / SMS on-board and ashore is also important in this regard.
Loss prevention and mitigation
International Marine Transportation Singapore Pte Ltd has released their Safety Alert Bulletin number 01/2015, which is republished alongside this advisory with their kind permission.
Members will find a number of points and issues being raised, based on IMT’s review of past incident investigation reports.
In particular the following steps may be advisable:
- Participating in the Information Fusion Centres (IFC)
- Sourcing and disseminating IFC alerts as well as ReCAAP alerts and information
- Using designated safe anchorages in Indonesia (where practical and available)
- Advance preparation and risk analysis
- Hardening plans and implementation on board vessels
- Practice drills and on board procedures for responding to an incident
A particular incident report from the US Office of Naval Intelligence in December 2014 indicates that where a vessel was well prepared, both physically as well as in crew training, it was possible to frustrate the pirates’ designs.
The successful prevention process can be summarised as one of:
Detect => Deter => Delay => Deny
Further reading
The Association has previously advised in detail on piracy matters, including general information on the BMP4 and other such matters. In particular members will wish to have reference to the BMP4 material. Region specific information on piracy is also available.
Skuld has published information on the ISPS Code, including a detailed loss prevention guide.
Emergency response
As previously advised by the Association, should a vessel be threatened or otherwise have security concerns then urgent contact should be made with:
- nearest Coast Guard or Navy
- the vessel’s flag state
- the ICC / IMB as well as ReCAAP
Following contact with law enforcement and other first responders, members should also make urgent contact with the Association should an actual attack have taken place.
Source: Skuld
