The straits of Singapore and Malacca are facing a rise in boardings and robberies, causing concern for maritime safety. ReCAAP reported two recent incidents involving armed perpetrators boarding vessels, prompting calls for increased patrols and vigilance in the region. The International Maritime Bureau has labeled Southeast Asia as a piracy hotspot, urging action to address the escalating incidents.
Indian maritime veteran Vijay D Chafekar has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre in Singapore. With 37 years of experience, he aims to continue efforts in curbing piracy and sea robbery incidents in Asia through effective information sharing.
ReCAAP has issued an alert for ships in the Singapore and Malacca Strait area due to a surge in sea robbery incidents. Six incidents in late March have led to increased caution in 2025. Perpetrators are becoming more daring, but no crewmember attacks have been reported. Vessels are urged to remain vigilant.
The ReCAAP ISC, which monitors piracy and criminal activity against shipping in Asia, issued a new alert on February 3, reporting a significant increase in robberies in the Singapore Strait this year. There have been 11 incidents in just over a month, highlighting the continued occurrence of sea robberies onboard ships in the region.
Security consultants and ReCAAP have warned of increased piracy activity near the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, with 62 vessels robbed in 2024. Most incidents occurred west of Pulau Cula, Indonesia, involving armed pirates stealing spare parts. Recent cases show a rise in violence, prompting calls for enhanced vigilance and patrols to combat the crime wave.
Vessels in the Singapore Strait face increasing risks, with a crewmember recently stabbed in a violent encounter. Attempted robberies by armed groups are common, but a rise in violent incidents has raised concerns. ReCAAP reports a surge in attacks, urging heightened vigilance and enhanced security measures to protect crew and ships in the area.
According to a regional maritime agency, ports in India have seen a decrease in armed robbery incidents, with only two reported between January and June 2024. Krishnaswamy Natarajan of the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre highlighted that these incidents typically involve theft of nominal items or engine spares. Despite this, authorities must remain vigilant and implement security measures to prevent future incidents.
