IMO Piracy Report: Eight ships attacked in March 2024

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published its monthly piracy report for the month of March 2024.

TIn March 2024, the following piracy and armed robbery attacks were allegedly committed against ships reported by IMO member states or international organizations with advisory status.

#1 In international waters

Abdullah, bulk carrier, Bangladesh

Incident: A bulk carrier was attacked and hijacked by armed pirates in small boats. The ship’s SSAS activated and all 23 crew members were taken hostage by the pirates, who had full control of the ship. The pirates then sailed the ship and anchored it on the Somali coast. 23 crew members were taken hostage and the ship was hijacked.

Location: ARABIC SEA, approximately 550 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia

#2 In territorial waters

Alpha Hope, bulk carrier, Marshall Islands

Incident: During the voyage, the captain reported to the Singapore Port Operations Control Center (POCC) that two perpetrators had been spotted on the aft deck. The watch officer (OOW) raised the alarm and the two perpetrators fled in a boat. The crew immediately conducted a search. At around 3:40 a.m. the captain reported that the search was complete. All crew members were safe, nothing was missing and no perpetrators were seen on board the ship. The captain confirmed that no assistance was required and continued the journey to Singapore. A safety navigation transmission has been initiated. The Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Singapore Police Coast Guard have been informed of the incident. The information was passed on to the Indonesian authorities. Upon the vessel’s arrival at Singapore Port, the Singapore Police Coast Guard boarded the vessel and conducted a thorough search on board. No perpetrators were found on board the ship.

Location: MALACCA STRAIT Approximately 11 nautical miles southeast of Pulau Iyu Kecil (Indonesia), Indonesia

Apiradee Naree, bulk carrier, Singapore

Incident: During the voyage, the Junior Engineer (JE) and the oiler, during their routine checks in the engine room, discovered three perpetrators armed with metal rods on board the ship. The JE and oiler immediately notified the bridge of the sighting and the general alarm was activated. All crew members except the engine room personnel were assembled on the bridge while the engine room personnel locked themselves in the engine room control room. When the three perpetrators heard the alarm, they immediately fled over the starboard side of the ship. Nothing was stolen and the crew was not injured.

Location: Strait of Malacca, approximately 4.8 nautical miles from Pulau Cula (Indonesia), Indonesia

Yangtze Crown, bulk carrier, Marshall Islands

Incident: During the trip, the captain reported that the crew had spotted three perpetrators in the steering engine room. The captain raised the alarm and asked the crew to conduct a search. At 01:15 a.m. the captain reported that the search was complete. All crew members were accounted for and there were no reports of injuries. Some engine spare parts were stolen and no further assistance was required. The captain reported the incident to VTIS Singapore. A safety navigation transmission has been initiated. The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and the Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) have been notified. Information about the incident was shared with Indonesian authorities. When the ship arrived at Singapore Port, the Singapore Police Coast Guard boarded the ship and conducted a thorough search on board, but no perpetrators were found.

Location: Strait of Malacca, approximately 2.6 nautical miles northwest of Pulau Cula (Indonesia), Indonesia

Dark Knight / Ambur, Tugboat, Palau

Incident: While the tug towing the drillship was underway, the crew noticed that four perpetrators had boarded the unmanned drillship from a small fishing boat using the excess ladder on the starboard side. A general alarm was triggered, the captain reported and asked Klang VTS for help. The incident was also reported to the CSO. A coast guard patrol boat searched the area surrounding the drill ship, but the perpetrators had already escaped. Nothing was stolen and the crew was not injured.

Location: MALACCA STRAIT Off Pisang Island (Malaysia), on the westbound lane of the Traffic Separation Area (TSS) Malaysia

George Island, bulk carrier, Liberia

Incident: During the journey, the captain reported to the Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) West that three perpetrators armed with knives had been spotted in the engine room. The captain raised the alarm and gathered the crew on the bridge. A search was carried out on board the ship and at 01:18 a.m. the captain reported that no perpetrators had been found and nothing had been stolen. All crew members were accounted for and there were no reported injuries. The ship was en route to Pilot Eastern Boarding Ground “B” (PEBGB). A safety navigation transmission has been initiated. The Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Singapore Police Coast Guard have been notified. Upon the vessel’s arrival in Singapore, the Singapore Police Coast Guard boarded the vessel and conducted a thorough search on board, but no perpetrators were found.

Location: Strait of Malacca, approximately 4.9 nautical miles from Takong Lighthouse (Indonesia), Indonesia

#3 In the harbor area

Era Star, chemical tanker, Liberia

Incident: While at anchor, the ship’s crew reported that eight to ten perpetrators armed with long knives managed to board the ship using a hook on the harbor in front of the ship and escape aboard a shore boat. During the inspection it was discovered that lifting lines and messenger lines had been stolen. The alarm sounded, the announcement was made over the loudspeaker system and the team was assembled. The crew was not injured. The incident was reported to the local agent.

Location: INDIAN OCEAN Hiron Pilot Station, Mongla, Bangladesh Bangladesh

Viva Cosmos, bulk carrier, Panama

Incident: Eight robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier. The alarm was raised, the crew assembled and a search was carried out. Seeing the crew’s attention, the robbers fled with the ship’s stolen supplies. All crew members safe.

Location: Indian Ocean Chattogram Anchorage, Bangladesh Bangladesh