Lastweek an unnamed chemical tanker came under a combined assault by three skiffs;forward, mid-ship and aft.
Theattack, which took place at Belawan Outer Anchorage, saw three individualssuccessfully boarded from the aft and steal property before escaping.
Local authorities were informed, but there are no subsequent reports ofarrests. However, no one was injured in the incident.
Detailsof the incident come in the latest piracy report issued by the UK-basedsecurity consultants AKE Maritime.
Thestrategy employed by the assailants has rarely been used in Southeast Asianwaters, were most incidents are opportunists.
However,Indonesia is fast gaining a reputation as the piracy black spot of the regionfollowing a surge of attacks during October.
Recentfigures from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) show that 68 low-levelattacks took place off Indonesia in the first nine months of 2013.
Keyanchorages at Karimun, Nipah and Santan appear to be the main targets, whileauthorities at Gresik and Dumai have urged vessels to exercise caution.
Ina separate incident a tanker was boarded by five armed individuals whilstunderway in the Singapore Strait in position 01° 21.2’N 104° 24.3’E offHorsburgh Lighthouse.
“Twocrew members were held hostage while the attackers stole crew personal effectsand cash from the accommodation area, before escaping,” said AKE.
