A 2,664TEU container ship operated by pan-Japanese carrier Ocean Network Express (ONE) was robbed while anchored in Manila.
The incident on NYK Joanna happened around 2.48am local time on 14 April 2020 but was disclosed by regional piracy reporting centre ReCAAP ISC in an alert on 21 April.
In the incident report, ReCAAP ISC said that NYK Joanna was approximately 4nm west of Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) when the crew spotted the suspected robbers. At the time, NYK Joanna was preparing for its arrival in MICT.
ReCAAP ISC stated, “While at anchor, the duty roving crew member noticed an unlit small motor banca near the starboard quarter of the ship. He reported to the duty officer who raised the alarm and made an announcement through the public announcement system. One of the crew members was directed to proceed to the forward station; and he heard the banging of door and people talking.”
According to the report the Chief Officer and two crew, went to the forward station to verify the situation. They saw a perpetrator with a knife standing at the hawse pipe area of the ship and one perpetrator running from the bosun store, both escaped through the port hawse pipe to their waiting motor banca.
A check on the crew found nobody was hurt. A search of the ship’s property found that s set of self-contained breathing apparatus, a flashlight and three sets of chain blocks were stolen.
The master of NYK Joanna reported the incident to Manila’s vessel traffic management system and the local coast guard, which sent personnel to board the ship and conduct an inquiry.
NYK Joanna continued with its berthing at MICT and departed for Singapore on 16 April, arriving 21 April.
The NYK Line owned NYK Joanna operates between Singapore and Manila on ONE’s Manila Express (MNX) service.
By Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
