From January to June 2025, a total of 95 incidents of piracy and Armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to ReCAAP ISC. This represents an 83% increase compared to the 52 incidents reported in the same period last year.

Of the 95 incidents, two were piracy incidents that occurred on the high seas, while 93 incidents were Armed robbery against ships (in internal waters, territorial seas, and archipelagic waters under coastal States jurisdiction). Ninety two of the 95 incidents were actual incidents, while three were attempted incidents.

Furthermore, most of the incidents were opportunistic theft committed by perpetrators who were non-confrontational and who adopted a ‘hit-and-run’ approach. In most incidents, the criminals boarded ships that were ill-prepared, have low freeboard, and manoeuvred at slow speed in restricted areas of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS).

Comparing Q1 and Q2 of 2025, there has been an increase in the number of incidents in Q2 (51 incidents) compared to the previous quarter (44 incidents). Notably the number of incidents in the first half of 2025 (Q1 and Q2) has exceeded the annual number of incidents reported in 2021 and 2022.

Incidents of January-June 2025 versus January-June 2024

There was an increase in the number of incidents reported during January-June 2025 compared to January-June 2024, in the following locations:

• India: Three incidents were reported compared to two incidents.
• South China Sea: Two incidents were reported compared to one incident.
• Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS): 80 incidents were reported compared to 21 incidents.
• Vietnam: Two incidents were reported compared to one incident. However, there was a decrease in the number of reported incidents in following locations:
• Bangladesh: Two incidents were reported compared to 10 incidents.
• Indonesia (excluding SOMS): Six incidents were reported compared to 15 incidents.
• The Philippines: No incident reported compared to two incidents.

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Area of Concern

The situation in SOMS remained a concern during January-June 2025. The continued occurrence of incidents in SOMS constitutes 84% of the total number of incidents in Asia (80 of 95) during January-June 2025.

Compared to the same period in 2024 (21 incidents), there has been a 4 times increase in the number of incidents reported in SOMS. The majority of the incidents were of low severity and mostly petty thefts.

Status of Ships

Of the 95 incidents reported during January-June 2025, 12 incidents (13%) occurred to ships while at anchor/berth and 83 incidents (87%) occurred to ships while underway.

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