(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) ReCAAP (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia) has recently reported a total of 43 incidents and armed robbery against ships during January to March 2025. This marks a 48% increase in the total number of incidents compared to the previous reported incidents during the same period in 2024.
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 JanuaryMarch 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. Ships are advised to intensify vigilance and maintain sharp lookout while transiting SOMS and to report all incidents immediately to the nearest coastal State, as indicated in the poster on Guidelines & Reporting of Incidents by Vessels - SOMS.
The littoral States are encouraged to increase patrols/surveillance in their waters, respond promptly to incidents reported by ships, strengthen coordination and promote information sharing on incidents and criminal groups involved to facilitate the arrest of perpetrators. There was no report of incident of abduction of crew for ransom in Sulu Celebes Seas in 2024, for a fifth consecutive year. The last known incident occurred on 17 January 2020. No crew is currently held in captivity by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
With the improvement of the situation, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in January 2025, together with other stakeholders and counterparts having vital involvement in the maritime security of the Sulu-Celebes Seas, further downgraded the threat of abduction of crew to ‘LOW’, meaning that ‘No information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence incidents are not expected to occur’. In tandem with the downgrading, the ReCAAP ISC reviewed and updated its Advisory for ships to “continue to exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM)”. Ships are also advised to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.
