IMO piracy report: Seven ships attacked in April 2024

TThe following acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships were allegedly reported by IMO Member States or international organizations with consultative status in March 2024.

#1 In territorial waters

• Danum 53/Linau 135, tug, Malaysia

Incident: While the tug was towing a barge, the master noticed a sampan alongside the barge. Three offenders were observed exiting the barge with some copper coils and fibreboard. The crew was called and counted, no injuries were reported. The master reported the incident to the Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) East. A safety navigation alert was initiated and the Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Singapore Police Force Coast Guard were notified.

Location: MALACCA STRAIT, south of Tanjung Ramunia, Johor, Malaysia, in the west lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), Malaysia.

• Casanova, bulk carrier, Bahamas

Incident: Five robbers armed with pistols boarded the ship. They pointed the pistols at the engineer on duty, tied his hands and laid him face down on the floor. A general alarm was raised, an announcement was made over the public address system and the crew was called together. The robbers escaped with stolen engine spare parts. The engineer on duty was taken hostage but was later unharmed.

Location: Strait of Malacca, Strait of Singapore, Indonesia.

• Bongawan 9/Hexagro 9, tug, Malaysia

Incident: While underway, the master reported to Singapore VTIS East via VHF channel 10 that he had seen three to four perpetrators in three sampans besides the unmanned barge. The master raised the alarm and called the crew together. At 10:40, the master reported that the perpetrators had left the barge and some scrap metal had been stolen. All crew members were present, no injuries were reported. A safety navigation message was initiated and RSN’s MSTF and Singapore Police Force Coast Guard were informed.

Location: MALACCA STRAIT, approximately 4.3 nm east of Tanjung Penyusop, Malaysia, in the westbound lane of the TSS, Malaysia.

#2 In the port area

• Shakespeare Bay, bulk carrier, Hong Kong, China

Incident: While the ship was anchored, three robbers armed with knives entered the engine room and took the crew on duty hostage, tying their hands. The robbers released the crew on duty and fled with stolen spare parts of the ship’s engine. The incident was reported to the local agent and the information was forwarded by PRC to the Indonesian Maritime Police Headquarters.

Location: Strait of Malacca, Port of Kuala Tanjung, Indonesia.

• Maersk Chattogram, container ship, Singapore

Incident: While we were anchored off Chattogram Outer Anchorage, the watchman on duty noticed two culprits on board who managed to escape in a land boat. On inspection, it was found that 600 litres of paint, 150 metres of safety chain, 16 brass hydrant caps and 2 fire hoses were stolen. The incident was reported to Bangladesh Coast Guard and Port Control Authority who subsequently recovered all stolen items and handed them over to the ship’s captain.

Location: INDIAN OCEAN, Chattogram Outer Anchorage, Bangladesh

• Asian Trader, container ship, Cyprus

Incident: During docking maneuvers in the port of Georgetown, Guyana, three unauthorized persons armed with knives entered the vessel. An alarm was raised and the crew gathered, allowing the intruders to escape. The incident was reported to the VTS and a patrol boat searched the seaward side of the vessel while a security team searched the vessel.

Location: SOUTH AMERICA (A), Georgetown Port, Guyana.

• Solar Roma, product tanker, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Incident: While the tanker was anchored in Balikpapan, Indonesia, it was boarded by four assailants via the anchor chain. They broke into the storeroom on the forecastle and escaped with the ship’s supplies and belongings. The incident was reported to the Balikpapan Port Control.

Location: MALACCA STRAIT, Balikpapan Anchorage, Indonesia

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