The ReCaap ISC has published its Q1 report (January-March 2025) regarding incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia.
The incident data of piracy and armed robbery against ships (ARAS) in Asia reported during January-March 2025, shows a 48% increase in the number of incidents compared to January-March 2024 (29 incidents).
According to ReCAAP ISC, of the 43 incidents reported, two were piracy incidents that occurred in the South China Sea and 41 were ARAS. There was an increase in the number of incidents in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS).
However, a decrease in the number of incidents were reported in Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines; and the number of incidents in India remained the same.
The situation in the SOMS remains an area of concern, with 36 incidents occurring during January-March 2025, compared to 11 incidents that occurred during the same period in 2024. Concerned with the increase and recurring occurrence of incidents in SOMS, the ReCAAP ISC has to-date issued four Incident Alerts since the start of 2025, to alert the maritime community and to warn about the possibility of further incidents.
Incidents of January-March 2025 versus January-March 2024
The total number of incidents reported during January-March 2025 has increased compared to January-March 2024, in the following locations:
South China Sea, two incidents were reported compared to no incident.
SOMS, 36 incidents were reported compared to 11 incidents. However, there was a decrease in the number of reported incidents in these locations:
- Bangladesh, no incident was reported compared to seven incidents.
- Indonesia, three incidents were reported compared to eight incidents.
- The Philippines, no incident was reported compared to one incident.
There were two areas of concern for ARAS incidents in Asia during January-March 2025
SOMS – Continued occurrence of incidents A total of 36 incidents were reported in SOMS during January-March 2025. This constitutes 84% of the total number of incidents in Asia (36 of 43). Compared to the same period in 2024 (11 incidents), there has been an increase in the overall number of incidents in the SOMS.
Sulu-Celebes Seas – Threat of abduction of crew for ransom remains The situation on abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas continued to improve. No incident was reported during January-March 2025, and the last abduction of crew incident in the area occurred in January 2020.
While the threat of abduction of crew for ransom has been downgraded to ‘Low’ in January 2025, the threat remains due to the presence of remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the Sulu and Tawi Tawi area.
Piracy versus armed robbery against ships
Of the 43 incidents reported during January-March 2025, two were incidents of piracy and 41 were ARAS. By definition, piracy takes place on the high seas while ARAS takes place in internal waters, archipelagic waters and territorial seas which are under the jurisdiction of the coastal States.
The majority of the incidents reported in Asia have been ARAS. Over the 19-year period of January-March of 2007-2025, the number of piracy incidents has consistently declined.
The two incidents of piracy that have taken place in the first quarter of 2025 occurred after a gap of six years, and are not of high severity.
Situation of armed robbery against ships in straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS)
Recommendations
- To address the increase in incidents in the SS, the ReCAAP ISC strongly urges the littoral States of the SS to enhance surveillance and enforcement in their internal waters, archipelagic waters and territorial seas; and respond promptly to the reporting of incidents.
- The littoral States are encouraged to promote cooperation and coordination for patrols and information sharing on incidents and criminal groups involved, in order to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.
- While transiting the SS or any areas of concern, ship masters and crew are strongly advised to heighten vigilance and proactively adopt the following measures to prevent boarding by perpetrators:
- Keep abreast of the latest situation via the ReCAAP ISC Interactive Dashboard (Re-VAMP, particularly the incident-prone areas in the SS. The ReCAAP ISC’s reports indicate detailed locations of incidents with latitude and longitude.
- Tune-in to advisories and navigational broadcasts announced by the authorities.
- Maximise vigilance and lookouts for suspicious small boats; increase watch keeping; particularly for crew onboard tug boats towing barges during daylight, and for crew on board bigger ships during night time.
- Keep the CCTV and other devices including communication equipment operational to alert the ship crew and record the movement of perpetrators.
- Conduct rounds onboard the ship’s compartment and ensure that the relevant areas of the ship are locked prior to the ship entering area of concern. Ensure that all doors and hatches having direct access to the bridge, accommodation, store rooms, steering gear compartment and engine room are closed/properly secured. Also for the activity to be recorded on the log book.
- Maintain communication with their shipping company by providing periodic updates and establish daily communication checks.
- Sound alarm when suspicious boats are sighted loitering in the vicinity of the ship or barge or suspicious individuals are sighted onboard the ship or barge.
- Report all incidents, suspicious activities and presence of suspicious small boats in the vicinity to the nearest coastal State RCC and flag State.
