10th tanker hijacked in S.E. Asia
ReCAAP reports that the V.L. 14, a Thai-registered oil product tanker, was hijacked.
10th tanker hijacked in S.E. Asia
Following up on media reports earlier this morning, ReCAAP has released a report concerning what appears to be the 10th hijacking of a tanker in South East Asia since April this year. The V.L. 14 was around 30nm North of Pulau Tioman carrying 1,296 tonnes of lube oil when pirates came alongside her and boarded yesterday, August 28th.
The took control of the ship and moved her before siphoning her cargo in to two tankers which came alongside. The pirates also stole crew belongings and damaged ship nav and comms equipment before escaping. The crew was not injured during the incident.
The apparent ease with which pirates are able to target vessels in the region continues to suggest that these hijackings are intelligence-led, with information coming from someone in the supply chain. The fact that the pirates were able to bring two tankers alongside also suggests that they knew the size of the cargo and that more than one ship would be required to offload it.
So far, the regional forces have had limited success in clamping down on this new wave of piracy in the region. Due to local and territorial laws Western PMSCs would find operating in South East Asia extremely difficult, leaving shipping companies somewhat exposed.
2 Replies to “10th tanker hijacked in S.E. Asia”
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David,
Having read with interest and concern your article regarding tanker hijackings in S.E. Asia, I would like to address your final sentence. While it is true that Western PMSCs would have difficulty operating in S.E.Asia, you failed to mention that there are local experienced and highly qualified PMSCs already operating in Malacca Strait, Singapore Strait and South China Sea.
Thank You, Ken B -Maritime Elite Squad
Thank you for the update, Ken. As you note, my main point was that Western PMSCs would have a difficult time trying to operate there. Regional issues often require regional solutions and, if local actors are able to assist the naval forces and shipping companies, then that should be applauded. I apologise for not making that clearer.