From January to June 2025, a total of 95 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to ReCAAP ISC. This represents an 83% increase compared to the 52 incidents reported in the same period last year. Of the 95 incidents, two were piracy incidents that occurred on the high seas, while 93 incidents were armed robbery against ships (in internal waters, territorial seas, and archipelagic waters under coastal States jurisdiction). Ninety two of the 95 incidents were actual1 incidents, while three were attempted2 incidents.
Most of the incidents were opportunistic theft committed by perpetrators who were non-confrontational and who adopted a ‘hit-and-run’ approach. In most incidents, the criminals boarded ships that were ill-prepared, have low freeboard, and manoeuvred at slow speed in restricted areas of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS). ▪ Decrease in the number of incidents in ports and anchorages in Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines compared to the first half of 2024. Slight increase in the number of incidents in India and Vietnam.
ReCAAP ISC Executive Director, Mr Vijay D Chafekar, said “The spike in sea robberies in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore is a matter of concern. To bring down the number of incidents and help ensure the safety of seafarers using the SOMS, I urge littoral State authorities to increase their presence in locations where incidents are occurring repeatedly, and to arrest the culprits who are boarding ships illegally to steal items. Shipmasters transiting the areas of concern need to increase lookouts on deck during hours of darkness and install preventive measures to deter unauthorised boarding by perpetrators.”