ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre

🔔 INCIDENT ALERT! Six incidents of sea robbery were reported on ships while transiting the Phillip Channel, in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait (SS) from 28-30 March 2025.   The incidents occurred onboard three container ships, two bulk carriers and a tanker. One ship reported loss of a portable welding machine while another reported the loss of some engine spares. No items were reported stolen from the remaining four ships.    The crew members were not injured in all six incidents. With these six incidents, a total of 35 incidents were reported in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS), all in SS, since January 2025. Please refer to the full report attached.

Senior representatives from the shipping industry, law enforcement agencies and academia participated in the third ReCAAP ISC-RSIS Maritime Roundtable today, and discussed “The Future of ReCAAP ISC”. Participants provided invaluable suggestions on how the Centre can build upon its achievements and stay relevant to the shipping industry and international community moving forward. Suggestions include the increasing ReCAAP’s membership to include more countries, and monitoring area beyond Asia; enlarging the Centre’s mandate to include emerging maritime security threats with a nexus to piracy and sea robbery; exploring new and innovative solutions in combating piracy and sea robbery, and conducting anti-piracy and sea robbery training for crew.   ReCAAP ISC thank all participants for contributing your valuable time and inputs for the roundtable discussion.   The suggestions raised provide a good starting point for ReCAAP ISC to chart its future strategic direction, better serve the shipping community, and help keep sea lanes and seafarers in Asia safe. RSIS | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

ReCAAP ISC held the Anti-Piracy & Sea Robbery Conference 2025 this morning at Suntec Singapore, in conjunction with Singapore Maritime Week.   This year’s conference focused on the growing risks to shipping caused by geopolitical tensions, emerging maritime threats and their impact on commercial shipping, and how the global maritime system can remain resilient. The first panel discussion on “Global Situation and Maritime Issues” saw panelists examine emerging and ongoing challenges stemming from geopolitical developments, and how it impacts maritime trade and the well-being of seafarers.   The second panel discussion focused on the threat of piracy and sea robbery in Asia, its implications for the shipping community, and how the shipping industry can navigate these threats. In his closing remarks, ReCAAP ISC Executive Director, Mr Krishnaswamy Natarajan, said that the resurgence of Somali piracy and the volatile situation in the Red Sea underscores the vulnerability of global shipping lanes to maritime security threats. He called on all stakeholders to share information, synergise efforts and protect global shipping against piracy, sea robbery and other maritime crimes. This year’s conference saw the attendance of over 150 participants from the shipping industry, academia, navy, coast guard, law enforcement agencies and diplomatic organisations. #ReCAAPISC #maritime #shipping #piracy #searobbery #maritimesecurity #SingaporeMaritimeWeek

From 18-24 Mar 2025, five incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.   One incident occurred on board a container ship while anchored at Kandla anchorage, India and one incident occurred to a tug boat while underway in the South China Sea. Three incidents occurred to ships while underway in the Singapore Strait.   The crew was not injured in all five incidents.   Pls refer to full report attached.

🔔 INCIDENT ALERT! The ReCAAP ISC alerts the maritime community on the occurrence of incidents of sea robbery onboard barges towed by tug boats while underway in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) during 16-17 March 2025. With these incidents, a total of 27 incidents were reported in the SOMS since January 2025. The ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the increasing number of incidents in the SOMS compared to the corresponding period of 2024 (1 January – 19 March 2024), where nine incidents were reported. See full report for details. 👇

From 11-17 March 2025, four incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.   One incident occurred on board a general cargo ship while berthed at the port of Jakarta, Indonesia; and three incidents onboard ships while underway in the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of Singapore Strait (SS). The crew was not injured in all four incidents.   Full report - https://shorturl.at/VXTwY #ReCAAPISC #maritime #shipping #piracy #searobbery #maritimesecurity

Governors and Governor’s representatives from ReCAAP’s 21 Contracting Parties and representatives from international and maritime organisations, shipping associations and academia participated in the Open Session of ReCAAP ISC’s 19th Governing Council Meeting.   Participants were updated on the latest situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia and other regions. Dr Kumar Ramakrishna, Dean of RSIS and Professor of National Security Studies and Provost’s Chair in National Security Studies, delivered a presentation on the  evolving threat posed by maritime terrorism and its impact on maritime trade.   The Governing Council, on the concluding of the meeting, expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the outgoing Executive Director, Mr KRISHNASWAMY Natarajan, for his exemplary leadership and contribution in bringing together all maritime stakeholders – shipping industry, maritime community, law enforcement agencies and coastal States – so that  seafarers can be protected and sea lanes in Asia kept safe for navigation, to ensure smooth flow of maritime trade.  

The ReCAAP ISC believes that combating piracy and armed robbery against ships is a shared responsibility, and it is vital that stakeholders come together to strengthen communication, co-ordination, co-operation and commitment.   As part of ReCAAP ISC’s 19th Governing Council Meeting, Governors and Governor’s representatives from ReCAAP’s 21 Contracting Parties and External Participants came together and shared views on collaborative efforts and ways to prevent maritime crimes at sea.

From 4-10 Mar 2025, one incident of armed robbery against ships in Asia was reported to the ReCAAP ISC.   The incident occurred onboard a barge towed by a tug boat while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait (SS). Full report below 👇 #ReCAAPISC #maritime #shipping #piracy #searobbery #maritimesecurity