The numbers for piracy and armed robbery in Asian waters for 2023 are already on par with the figures for the whole of last year.
By the first week of October this year, some 83 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia occurred compared to 84 in the entire last year, data available with the information sharing centre of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) shows.
The incident growth resembles to the apprehension made by CG Admiral Artemio M. Abu, Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Chairperson of ReCAAP ISC Governing Council, in April 2023 at Piracy and Sea Robbery Conference 2023.
In the programme, he said, “Given the current inflationary pressures and uncertain economic outlook, many of the factors which drive individuals to commit piracy and sea robbery may return, and may lead to a higher number of incidents this year.”
In 2021, in the entire year, some 82 incidents of piracy and armed robbery on ships in Asian waters occurred.
Data shows that like in the past, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) topped the list where the highest number of piracy and armed robbery took place this year until now. With the latest incident off Pulau Cula on 8 October 2023, a total of 57 incidents were reported in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore since January this year.
“The ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the continued occurrence of incidents in the SOMS,” the organisation said in its latest weekly report, adding, “The Centre advises ships to continue to exercise enhanced vigilance when transiting SOMS, and the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in the area.”
According to ReCAAP ISC, the number of category-2 incidents has already increased to six from four in the entire last year. In 2021 some eight category-2 incidents were reported.
An event is considered a category-2 incident when the pirates or robbers kill or kidnap crew is deemed to be more violent compared to petty thieves who flee upon being noticed. Other cases which also could be considered category-2 incidents include threatening crew members, assault, or serious injury.
The ReCAAP ISC has suggested ship masters and crews report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State RCC and flag State, exercise vigilance and adopt appropriate preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to counter piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia.
Sharar Nayel
Asia Correspondent
