Sea robbery and piracy incident in Asian waters decreased by 25 % in 2018 according to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) report during its annual piracy and sea robbery conference held in Singapore last April 9.

Chairperson of ReCAAP ISC Governing Council and PCG’s Deputy Commandant for Administration, Vice Admiral Joel S Garcia and Lieutenant Commander Al-Hafidz T Bih attended said conference.

VAdm Garcia in his welcome remarks mentioned the resounding achievements of the ReCAAP ISC on the aspect of information sharing of incidents which is the core mission of the ReCAAP ISC.

VAdm Garcia stressed out the importance of timely reporting of incidents by victim ships to the coastal States and the quick response by the coastal States have led to the arrests of perpetrators. The arrests of perpetrators, increased surveillance by the littoral States, and enhanced vigilance of the master and crew have contributed to the decline of incidents in Asia.

“This positive and encouraging outcome in Asia further underscores the importance and relevance of the incident reporting procedure in Asia, as stated in the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee Circulars 1333 and 1334. It has also underscored the strong ownership and primary role of coastal States and close cooperation among Asian countries, which is the key to dealing with maritime crimes” VAdm Garcia added.

The presenters from ReCAAP ISC, maritime law enforcement agencies, and international shipping associations provided updates on the current situation of piracy and sea robbery in Asia, the situation of the abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas, revision of the Indian Ocean High Risk Area, and guidelines on maritime cyber security.

On the other hand, LCDR BIH PCG, who is one of the presenters, gave an update on the current situation of abduction of crew and piracy incident off Sulu-Celebes Sea.

The PCG’s initiative on Law Enforcement and the implementation of Safety, Security and Environmental Numbering (SSEN) and its close coordination and collaboration with other concerned national agencies were also highlighted. These concerted efforts resulted to the decrease of abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah from 18 incidents in 2016 and seven incidents in 2017 down to three incidents in 2018.

ReCAAP ISC started in 2006 with 20 Asian country members.