The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) has reported 35 incidents of armed robbery against ships (ARAS) in Asia during the first half of 2026, marking the lowest number of incidents recorded for the January–June period since 2019. The findings were released in the centre’s Half-Year Report, which highlights regional maritime security developments and trends in piracy and armed robbery at sea.
Overall Situation – Asia
From January to June 2026, a total of 35 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to ReCAAP ISC. This represents a 64% decrease compared to the 96 incidents reported in the same period last year. The number of incidents recorded between January to June was the lowest for this period since the first half of 2019, when 28 incidents were recorded.
All incidents were armed robbery against ships which occurred in internal waters, territorial seas and archipelagic waters under coastal states’ jurisdiction. Most incidents were opportunistic theft committed by perpetrators who were non-confrontational and who adopted a ‘hit-and-run’ approach. Of the 35 incidents, 21 took place while the ships were underway, while 14 took place while the ships were anchored.
A total of 10 incidents were reported in Philippine ports and anchorages from January to June 2026, compared to zero incidents during the same period last year. In response, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) arrested several perpetrators from January to April 2026. Separately, there has been no reported incidents of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah since 17 January 2020.
The number of incidents in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS), the South China Sea and Vietnam decreased in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year.
Area of Concern – Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS)
A total of 21 incidents were reported in the SOMS from January to June 2026, a significant 74% decrease compared to the first half of 2025 when 80 incidents were reported. The number of incidents reported in the SOMS accounted for 60% of all incidents reported in Asia in the first half of 2026.
Of the 21 incidents reported in the Singapore Strait (SS):
- Twenty incidents took place in the eastbound lane of the SS, while the remaining incident took place in the precautionary area.
- 62% of the incidents took place onboard bulk carriers, 29% onboard barges towed by tug boats, while the remaining 9% happened onboard tankers.
- The crew were not injured in 85% of the incidents. In 10% of the incidents, the crew were threatened or injured.
- Engine spares were taken in 33% of the incidents, while scrap metal was stolen from barges in 24% of the incidents.
- Approximately three out of every four incidents occurred during hours of darkness between 2100H and 0559H.
“The sharp decrease in incidents in the SOMS in the first half of 2026 can be attributed to the combination of effective preventive measures by the shipping industry and firm operational response by the law enforcement agencies of the littoral states. The residual petty theft cases are localised in the eastbound lane of the Phillip Channel in the Singapore Strait. These incidents can be contained by implementing visible countermeasures onboard ships,” said ReCAAP ISC Executive Director, Mr Vijay Chafekar.
“I would like to encourage the shipping industry to use the ReCAAP Data Visualisation Map & Panel (Re-VAMP), an online dashboard which can display the locations and timings of unauthorised boarding incidents in Asia. It is a useful tool to assist shipmasters in making informed risk assessments and instituting the appropriate preventive measures,” he added.
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