SINGAPORE: A sharp rise in piracy and armed robbery incidents in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore has raised concern within the maritime community, despite the majority of cases being of low severity.
According to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre’s (ISC) half-yearly report released on 10 July 2025, 80 incidents were recorded between January and June 2025.
This figure is nearly four times the 21 incidents reported in the same period in 2024.
The incidents in the Straits account for 84 per cent of all 95 incidents reported in Asia in the first half of 2025.
Significant increase but low severity
At a media briefing in York Hotel Singapore on 10 July 2025, ReCAAP ISC’s Executive Director Vijay D Chafekar highlighted that although the number of incidents has surged, they remain less severe than piracy cases elsewhere.
“There has not been a serious piracy case in Asian high seas for four to five years,” Chafekar stated.
“Most cases here involve petty thefts with minimal confrontation.”
ReCAAP ISC’s report showed that none of the 80 incidents in the Straits were classified as Category 1, which involves severe violence or hijacking.
Seven were deemed Category 2, where perpetrators were armed with knives or gun-like objects.
Six of these occurred on bulk carriers and one on a container ship.
Crew safety and psychological impact
Despite the low severity, the presence of intruders remains unsettling.
“A knife-wielding person on board, even if no one is harmed, has a huge psychological impact on the crew,” Chafekar remarked.
In one incident, a crew member suffered a minor head injury, while in four incidents, crew members were restrained.
Items stolen included personal belongings, engine spares and equipment.
ReCAAP ISC’s findings noted that most attacks occurred while ships were underway, mainly during hours of darkness.
Bulk carriers were the most targeted, followed by tankers and container ships.
Small groups of four to six perpetrators typically boarded ships using small unlit boats, taking advantage of poor visibility to approach unnoticed.
Preventive measures and industry response
In response to the spike, ReCAAP ISC held a dialogue with shipping industry stakeholders on 10 July 2025 to strengthen cooperative measures.
Lee Yin Mui, ReCAAP ISC’s Deputy Director, shared that crews are encouraged to report suspicious small boats promptly.
She cited a recent example where a ship’s crew alerted another vessel about approaching boats, which prevented an unauthorised boarding.
“This practice of looking out for one another is crucial, especially at night when small boats are harder to detect,” Lee said.
Regional enforcement and collaboration
To deter repeat offences, littoral States bordering the Straits have increased patrols under frameworks such as the Malacca Strait Patrol and Coordinated Patrol Indonesia-Singapore.
Authorities urge shipmasters to stay alert and adopt measures such as additional watchkeeping, use of CCTV, and securing access points.
ReCAAP ISC has issued several incident alerts this year and continues to provide updates through its Re-VAMP dashboard. Authorities also encourage the maritime community to share CCTV footage to aid investigations.
Shared responsibility at sea
While the Straits saw a spike, some regions have reported improvements. Bangladesh, Indonesia (excluding the Straits), and the Philippines noted fewer incidents compared with 2024.
The Sulu-Celebes Seas, once a hotspot for crew abduction, recorded no incidents for the first half of 2025. The threat level for abduction in the region has been downgraded to ‘LOW’.
ReCAAP ISC reiterated that combating piracy and armed robbery requires collaboration among States, shipping companies, and crews.
“With half of the world’s annual seaborne trade passing through these waters, continued vigilance is essential to keep these vital routes safe,” Chafekar emphasised.
Shipping companies are urged to ensure best practices are maintained, including securing all access points, maintaining constant communication with coastal States, and increasing watch rotations during high-risk transits.
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