The Recaap Information Sharing Center recently addressed the alarming surge in armed robberies in the Malacca and Singapore Strait, reporting 80 incidents from January to June 2025. Participants emphasized the urgency of timely reporting and discussed security measures, including CCTV and increased nighttime personnel, highlighting the critical need for cooperation among authorities.
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reports a 50% rise in piracy and armed robberies against ships in the first half of 2025, with 90 incidents recorded, particularly alarming in the Singapore Strait. This vital shipping route saw a surge from 15 incidents last year, raising serious safety concerns for crew members.
Maritime authorities in Singapore and Indonesia coordinated a successful rescue of crew members from the capsized fishing vessel Pacific Memory II, which collided with a tanker near the Singapore Strait. Survivors described chaos as the vessel swayed violently, with one clinging to a lifejacket for hours before help arrived.
A crew member was brutally stabbed in a violent piracy attack in the Singapore Strait on December 11, 2024. The rising number of incidents involving threats and injuries is a cause for concern, with pirates becoming more aggressive in their actions. Authorities are urged to increase patrols and ensure the safety of ships in the region.
Warnings have been issued for vessels in the Indian Ocean and Singapore Strait despite a decrease in crime against seafarers. EUNAVFOR is investigating suspected pirate action groups from Somalia. ReCAAP ISC reported three new incidents in the Singapore Strait. ICC International Maritime Bureau reported a 30-year low in crimes against seafarers but with Caution.
In the past reporting period, there were 60 incidents of maritime attacks, with 46 ships boarded and 8 attempted attacks. Perpetrators successfully boarded 84% of the attacked ships, with 85 individuals taken hostage. The use of guns and knives in these incidents has increased, underscoring the importance of regional maritime cooperation.
