There were two incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia between 18 to 24 September, according to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against ships in Asia (ReCAAP).

The Maltese-flagged 63,500-dwt bulker Hako (built 2014) was targeted on 18 September while berthed at Sandakan port in Malaysia, the Singapore-based organization said.

The crew was not injured and no goods were stolen, ReCAAP said.

On 19 September, the Panama-flagged 4,234 cu m Maregas LPG carrier (built 1991) was sailing in the Singapore Strait, when three robbers were spotted at the stern of the ship.

The chief engineer of the vessel was assaulted and sustained injuries, and the perpetrators snatched a gold chain from him. No other crew were harmed during the incident.

Outside Asia, a robbery attempt was discovered and foiled on 21 September when BW Puma, a 49,999-dwt tanker (built 2013), was at anchor at the Secure Anchorage Area off the coast of Lagos, Nigeria.