Update - Piracy in the Strait of Malacca

After a couple of months lull in piracy activities in the Strait of Malacca following the tsunami, several serious incidents have been reported over the last few weeks. Not only has the activity resurfaced but also escalated with several cases of abduction of seafarers, apparently for the purpose of extracting ransoms.

Experts have also reported a change in the geographical pattern insofar as (some of) the vessels have been closer to the Malaysian coast, in areas traditionally held to be relatively safe.

Normally the pirates operate out of fishing boats, posing as fishermen. Prior detection has therefore proved difficult, although the pirates -  when attacking  -  have appeared to be equipped with weapons such as AK 47, M 16 and rocket launchers.

The recent developments have attracted considerable attention in the region, at the highest levels. Malaysia has announced their intention to start round the clock radar surveillance of the Strait as well as introduce new pre-emptive intelligence anti-terrorism tactics. Navy patrols in the Malaysian part of the Strait will be stepped up. Indonesia and Malaysia have declared that they will continue their co-operation seeking to locate pirates and abducted crews, despite recent tension between the two countries over an ongoing territorial dispute in the oil-rich waters of the Sulawesi Sea, just east of Borneo.

A spokesman of the Malaysian navy has invited owners to notify them of their movements through Malaysian waters so that the movements can be monitored and reported to patrol boats.

Singapore has previously announced that their navy will provide armed escorts to guard selected merchant vessels in their waters, for anti-terrorism purposes.  The scheme is known as the Accompanying Sea Security Teams (ASSET) and will include personnel trained in taking over and navigating merchant vessels in emergencies.

Japan, whose vessels have been particularly affected by the piracy in the Strait, has donated one of more speed boats to the Indonesian navy.

Malaysia and Indonesia continue to be opposed to outside countries conducting navy patrols in the Strait.

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In the Philippines, security has been stepped up in ports, in response to recent escalation in terrorist activities. Such activities have over the years on repeated occasions affected maritime targets.

Arild Wegener
Norwegian Shipowners' Association