The incident occurred onboard a LPG tanker while at anchor in the Chittagong ‘C’ Anchorage, Bangladesh on 10 July 2025. The crew members were not injured and nothing was stolen in the incident. The Bangladesh Coast Guard later arrested the perpetrators and handed them over to the local police.

Area of concern

The ReCAAP ISC advises ships to exercise enhanced vigilance and step up watch-keeping when at ports and anchorages, and the coastal State to increase patrols and enforcement in the area.

Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah

Situation update

Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah. The last incident occurred on 17 Jan 2020. In January 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts further downgraded the threat level of ‘Abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ to ‘LOW’, meaning ‘No information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence incidents are not expected to occur’.

ReCAAP ISC Advisory

The ReCAAP ISC, in its Advisory on 14 Feb 2025 advised ships to “exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM)”. Also, to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.

Recommendations

Ship master and crew are to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, referring to the Poster on the Contact Details for Reporting of Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, exercise vigilance and adopt appropriate preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia; both produced by the ReCAAP ISC.