IFC: Maritime Security Situation Mid-Year Report 2022

Security update

November 2022 Safety

Published on 03 Nov 2022

Theft robbery and piracy at seas

From January to June 2022, the IFC recorded 59 incidents. This was higher compared to the same period in 2021 (42), and 2020 (57), but lower than 2019 (65). The overall increase is likely due to the combination of factors such as:

  • The economic impact of COVID-19, which may have driven more people to resort to crime at sea to make ends meet.
  • More incidents being shared with the IFC.
  • More active reporting by shippers, possibly due to increased trust that authorities would take action.

The areas that recorded the highest number of incidents thus far in 2022 were:

  • The Singapore Strait.
  • Chittagong Port, Bangladesh.
  • Belawan Anchorage, Indonesia.

Tankers were the most targeted ships with 20 incidents (35%), followed by bulk carriers (33%). Other types targeted were tugs-and-barges (10%), fishing vessels (10%), container ships (3), small boats (2), barges (1), vehicle carriers (1), pleasure craft (1), oil platforms (1), and cargo vessels (1).

In the Singapore strait, bulk carriers remain the prime target (50%), followed by tankers (36%) and tugs-and-barges (14%). This is mainly due to their slower speed and low freeboard. For incidents at anchorages and ports, tankers and bulk carriers were the prime targets, especially in Chittagong, Bangladesh, and Belawan, Indonesia.

Recommendations

  • Remain vigilant: upon sighting of suspicious activities, immediately inform local authorities.
  • Report all incidents, suspicious activities and presence of suspicious small boats in the vicinity to the nearest coastal state and flag state.
  • Sound alarm when sighting suspicious boats / approaches in the vicinity of the ship.
  • Participate in the IFC ‘Voluntary Community Reporting’ as depicted in MARSEC Charts Q6112 and Q6113.
  • Adopt Ship Protection Measures recommended in the Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.

Maritime terrorism

From January to June 2022, no maritime terrorism (MT) incidents were recorded. The decline in overall incident numbers is likely due to the strong enforcement by the regional countries. This made it difficult for potential terrorists to execute their activities. The number of MT incidents in the second half of 2022 can remain low if regional authorities maintain their enforcement efforts.

Although no MT incidents were reported in 2022, it is prudent for the authorities to maintain vigilance toward any incident that may occur in future. As known terrorist groups remain active, the risk of MT incidents occurring within IFC’s AOI remains.

All ships with a low freeboard / speed must remain vigilant while transiting in this area to prevent being easy targets to MT.

From January to June 2022, there was only one Cyber Security (CYBSEC) incident recorded. The number of CYBSEC incidents can remain low if the maritime industry continues to place emphasis on cyber-security measures and improve cyber-defense efforts.

The only incident occurred was at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal in India. This incident reportedly caused the port to turn away ships to other terminals in the complex located near Mumbai. This was believed to be a ransomware attack on its computer systems. The attack did not leave any information on the perpetrator and no motives found so far.

The number of CYBSEC incidents in the second half of 2022 can remain low as long as:

a) Organisations continue putting emphasis and increasing education on cyber attacks.

b) Organisations are equipping and enforcing defense measures against cyber attacks.

Source: Information Fusion Centre’s (IFC)

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