Singapore: The regional body fighting piracy ReCAAP has reported two incidents that are different to the normal targets in Southeast Asian waters. While small product tankers have been the main vessel type attacked in recent months, the cargoes stolen for black market fuel sales, a bulk carrier and a containership were hit in two separate incidents this morning.
At about 0100 hrs, four men went onboard the Marshall Islands-registered bulk carrier, Capetan Giorgis while underway approximately 3.8 nm off Tanjung Sengkuang, Batam. Nothing was missing onboard and the crew were reported as safe.
On the same day at or about 0545 hrs, a Luxembourg-registered containership, MSC Vancouver was underway approximately 9 nm northeast off Pulau Karimum Besar when seven perpetrators armed with knives and tools boarded the vessel. All that was stolen was the 2nd engineer’s gold chain and watch.
“From the close proximity of the two incidents, it is of high probability that the robbers will continue to pry in this area over the next few days,” ReCAAP warned today.
