The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) issued its 2024 Annual Report on Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, noting a total of 107 reported incidents from January to December 2024.
In 2024, there was a 6% increase compared to 101 incidents in 2023. Of these incidents, two were piracy incidents on the high seas, while 105 were armed robbery incidents within internal waters, territorial seas, and archipelagic waters under coastal State jurisdiction.
Among the 107 incidents, 96 were actual incidents, and 11 were attempted incidents. In 2023, there were 100 actual incidents and one attempted incident. The higher number of unsuccessful boarding attempts in 2024 reflects heightened vigilance by ship crews, especially when transiting in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
There was a decrease in incidents at ports and anchorages in India, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam compared to 2023, but an increase in incidents reported at ports and anchorages in Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Increase in incidents involving armed perpetrators
- More incidents involved perpetrators carrying knives and gun-like objects, used to threaten but not harm crew members.
- For the first time since 2020, two CAT 1 incidents were reported, where armed perpetrators held crew members hostage.
- More incidents involved larger groups of 4-9 perpetrators.
- Engine spares were the most commonly stolen items.
No incidents of abduction of crew for ransom were reported in the Sulu-Celebes Seas during 2024. The last abduction occurred in January 2020. However, the threat of abduction for ransom persists due to remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group in the Sulu and Tawi Tawi areas.
Area of Concern – Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS)
- The SOMS remains a significant area of concern, accounting for 58% (62 out of 107) of all incidents in Asia.
- In 86% of these incidents, the crew was unharmed. Most incidents were opportunistic, with perpetrators employing a ‘hit-and-run’ approach. They often targeted ships with low freeboard, moving slowly in restricted areas. Commonly stolen items included ship stores, scrap metal, and engine spares.
- Most incidents (89%) affected larger ships such as bulk carriers and tankers (55 incidents). Other incidents involved tug boats towing barges (6 incidents) and a general cargo ship (1 incident).
- Of the 62 incidents in the SOMS, 52 (84%) occurred during nighttime (2300 to 0559 hours), with the remaining 10 incidents occurring in daylight.
ReCAAP ISC Executive Director, Krishnaswamy Natarajan, commended the proactive countermeasures by law enforcement agencies, leading to more arrests in 2024. He emphasized the importance of vigilance by ship crews, which contributed to thwarting several robbery attempts. He also urged the maritime community to report all incidents promptly using the ReCAAP mobile application, enabling timely responses and deterring criminal activity.
