ReCAAP ISC has reported that bulk carrier Akij Pearl (IMO 9291080) was approached by last Wednesday March 3rd by suspected attackers off Sibutu Island, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines.
ReCAAP ISC said it received information from the Philippine Coast Guard about the incident. While the bulk carrier was underway, an unidentified speed boat with three perpetrators on board attempted to board the ship at about 10:45 local time. The master reported the incident to the Philippine Navy Littoral Monitoring Station (LMS).
Noting that Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf Group/Kidnap-for-Ransom Group (ASG/FRG) elements were based in the area of the incident, ReCAAP ISC urged ship masters and crew in the region to exercise extra vigilance when transiting the waters off Eastern Sabah and in the Sulu-Celebes Seas, in particular waters off Sibutu Island.
2005-built, Bangladesh-flagged, 31,260 gt Akij Pearl is owned and managed by Akij Shipping Line Ltd of Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is entered with Skuld (Business unit Skuld Singapore) on behalf of Akij Shipping Line Ltd.