Pirate attacks on the increase in South China Sea
IMB calls on South Asian governments to step up marine protection
There has been a surge in attacks by armed pirates in the South China Sea, according to the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) piracy reporting centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Noel Choong, head of the centre, said eight attacks had been reported off the coast of Indonesia’s Mangkai Island in the past two weeks.
“The pirates are armed with guns and machetes and have robbed vessels of cash and valuables,” he added.
According to the bureau, attacks in the South China Sea have more than doubled this year, with 26 recorded since February.
Incidents in Malaysian and Indonesian waters have increased, whereas only one attack was reported in the Singapore Straits and one in the Gulf of Thailand.
Choong urged Indonesia to reinforce its patrols.
The most recent attack, off Pulau Mangkai last Wednesday, saw six pirates armed with guns, knives and steel rods board a tanker. They took the master and three crew hostage before making off with cash and crew property.
Mangkai Island lies on the east coast of the Malaysian peninsula, on a major shipping passage between East Asia and the Pacific Ocean.
After passing Mangkai, vessels continue into the Malacca Strait, once the world’s piracy hotspot. However, the implementation of patrols by border nations has reduced attacks in the area dramatically.
Noel Choong, head of the centre, said eight attacks had been reported off the coast of Indonesia’s Mangkai Island in the past two weeks.
“The pirates are armed with guns and machetes and have robbed vessels of cash and valuables,” he added.
According to the bureau, attacks in the South China Sea have more than doubled this year, with 26 recorded since February.
Incidents in Malaysian and Indonesian waters have increased, whereas only one attack was reported in the Singapore Straits and one in the Gulf of Thailand.
Choong urged Indonesia to reinforce its patrols.
The most recent attack, off Pulau Mangkai last Wednesday, saw six pirates armed with guns, knives and steel rods board a tanker. They took the master and three crew hostage before making off with cash and crew property.
Mangkai Island lies on the east coast of the Malaysian peninsula, on a major shipping passage between East Asia and the Pacific Ocean.
After passing Mangkai, vessels continue into the Malacca Strait, once the world’s piracy hotspot. However, the implementation of patrols by border nations has reduced attacks in the area dramatically.
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