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ReCAAP: Straits of Malacca and Singapore continues to be an area of concern for sea robbery

ReCAAP reports 108 sea robbery incidents reported in 2025, which is the highest number of incidents recorded in the SOMS during the 19-year period from 2007 to 2025.
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The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) on Friday (9 January) issued its 2025 annual report on piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia today at the 17th Nautical Forum held in Singapore. 

The forum was attended by over 120 participants from shipping companies, shipping associations, government and law enforcement agencies, diplomatic missions and academia.

The key highlights of the annual report, covering the period of January to December 2025, are as follows:

Situation of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia – 2025

  • A total of 132 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to ReCAAP ISC from January to December 2025. This marks a 23% increase over the 107 incidents reported in 2024. Of the 132 incidents recorded, 127 were actual incidents and five were attempted incidents.
  • The Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) continues to be an area of concern, with 108 sea robbery incidents reported in 2025. This is the highest number of incidents recorded in the SOMS during the 19-year period from 2007 to 2025.
  • Fewer incidents were reported in ports and anchorages in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Philippines in 2025 compared to 2024. Marginal increase in the number of incidents in India’s anchorages.
  • The incidents in Asia in 2025 were of lower severity compared to 2024. Of the 127 actual incidents in 2025, 53% were classified as CAT 4 (lowest severity),where the perpetrators were not reported to have carried any weapon and the crew were not injured. In comparison, 44% of the actual incidents in 2024 were CAT 4. In addition, there were no CAT 1 incidents (highest severity) reported in 2025, compared to two CAT 1 incidents in 2024. 
  • For the 5th consecutive year, there has been no report of incident of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah. The last incident occurred on 17 January 2020. In January 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard downgraded the threat level of ‘Abduction of crew for ransom in the SuluCelebes Seas’ from “Moderate Low” to “Low” meaning ‘No information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence incidents are not expected to occur’.

Area of Concern – Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS)

  • A total of 108 incidents (104 actual and four attempted) were reported in the busy and narrow waterways of the SOMS in 2025. This is a 74% increase over the 62 incidents reported in the SOMS in 2024. The incidents were mostly opportunistic theft committed during hours of darkness between 8pm and 6am. In the majority of incidents, the crew was not injured.
  • Approximately 87% of the incidents in the SOMS in 2025 occurred in the first seven months of the year (January to July). There was a significant decline in the number of incidents in the SOMS from August to December 2025, following the arrests of perpetrators by the Indonesian authorities in July and August 2025, with evidence from the CCTV footages.
  • In about half the incidents reported in the SOMS, nothing was stolen. The remaining incidents reported stolen items such as engine spares, scrap metal, unsecured items, ship stores and personal belongings of crew.
  •  Over half of the incidents in the SOMS occurred onboard bulk carriers (52%), with the remaining incidents occurring onboard tankers (23%), container ships (10%), tug boats towing barges (12%) and general cargo ships (3%).

“The sharp increase in number of incidents in the SOMS in 2025 does not indicate a corresponding increase in threat to maritime trade passing through the SOMS. The higher number of incidents largely corresponds to minor petty theft cases. In fact, there were no severe CAT 1 incidents in the SOMS in 2025,” said ReCAAP ISC Executive Director, Mr Vijay D Chafekar.

“While the increase in sea robbery incidents in the SOMS highlights the continuing security challenges faced by ships transiting the busy waterway, the decline in incidents following the arrest of perpetrators by the Riau Islands Regional Police illustrates the deterrent effect of effective enforcement. 

“To help reduce the number of incidents, the ReCAAP ISC would like to urge shipping companies to report all incidents of theft and unauthorised boarding to the nearest coastal state authority. Where possible, shipping industry should provide CCTV footage of perpetrators as evidence when making incident reports, so as to assist law enforcement agencies to swiftly arrest and prosecute the suspects.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 13 January, 2026

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Business

Singapore: MPA urges maritime firms to prepare for potential haze with plan

MPA encourages all maritime companies, especially those with workers performing outdoor work to maintain a business continuity plan for haze.

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August 31, 2026

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Monday (31 August) issued Port Marine Circular No. 9 of 2026 on steps for maritime companies to take for potential haze affecting Singapore:

BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLAN FOR HAZE

This circular supersedes Port Marine Circular No. 09 of 2023.

With reference to the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) joint media release issued on 9 August 2026, hotspots were observed in parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan, with prevailing winds potentially bringing smoke haze towards Singapore. The dry conditions may further increase the likelihood of haze affecting Singapore. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) encourages all maritime companies, especially those with workers performing outdoor work to maintain a business continuity plan for haze.

MPA advises all maritime companies to monitor the PSI level through the media and the NEA’s website (www.haze.gov.sg), keep at least a one-week supply of N95 masks for workers especially those who work outdoors, and observe the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Haze guidelines and advisory for work which can be found on their website (www.mom.gov.sg/haze). The latter include guidelines to ensure that stocks of N95 masks are periodically inspected, remain serviceable, and not expired.

The visibility in the Singapore Strait and port waters could be significantly reduced in the event of haze. During periods of restricted visibility, shipmasters are advised to keep a proper lookout and navigate with caution. They are also advised to comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and in particular Rule No. 19, Rule No. 20 and Rule 35 concerning conduct of vessels in restricted visibility, exhibition of navigation lights and sound signals in restricted visibility, respectively.

In the interest of safety of navigation and life at sea, the Port Master may restrict the movement of harbour craft and pleasure craft in the port waters during reduced visibility conditions.

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 31 August, 2026

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Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore reaffirm commitment to free, safe Malacca Strait

Littoral States affirmed the status of the SOMS as a Strait Used for International Navigation, where the right of transit passage applies, as enshrined in the 1982 UNCLOS.

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August 25, 2026

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Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore reaffirmed their shared commitment to keep the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) free, open and safe for international shipping at the 17th Co-operation Forum held in Singapore, according to a joint statement on Tuesday (25 August).

The statement was released by Indonesia’s Directorate General of Sea Transportation (DGST), Malaysia Marine Department (MMD) and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). 

The Littoral States affirmed the status of the SOMS as a Strait Used for International Navigation, where the right of transit passage applies, as enshrined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and reflected in customary international law. They underscored the importance of respecting navigational rights and freedoms both in principle and practice.

The Littoral States also reaffirmed the important roles played by User States, international organisations, the maritime industry and other stakeholders in sharing responsibility for and contributing to the safety of navigation and environmental protection in the SOMS. 

At the 17th Co-operation Forum, the Littoral States and stakeholders will discuss proposals to further these efforts, including the safe introduction of new technologies and alternative fuels in the SOMS, and review ongoing technical projects to enhance navigational safety.

The Co-operative Mechanism established by Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in 2007 provides the framework for this co-operation. It enables Littoral States to work together with User States and other stakeholders on navigational safety and environmental protection in the SOMS. Its establishment gave practical effect, for the first time, to Article 43 of UNCLOS.

The Littoral States also renewed their commitment to uphold the objective and founding principles of the Co-operative Mechanism.

The Littoral States further expressed their appreciation to stakeholders for their longstanding contributions to the Co-operative Mechanism and encouraged their continued support and participation.

More than 300 delegates from over 125 countries and organisations are expected to attend the two-day forum from 25 to 26 August 2026.

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 25 August, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

ClassNK updates safety guidelines for alternative-fuelled ships

The classification society says it has revised the safety requirements within its guidelines for ships using methanol, ethanol and hydrogen as marine fuels.

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2 weeks ago

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August 20, 2026

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Classification society ClassNK on Tuesday (18 August) said it has revised the safety requirements within its guidelines for ships using methanol, ethanol and hydrogen as marine fuels. 

In Part D of the guidelines, covering hydrogen-fuelled ships, the revision incorporates the Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Hydrogen as Fuel (MSC.1/Circ.1701) issued by the IMO this year, and additionally introduces a hydrogen leak frequency table that can be used for the safety assessments required under the IMO guidelines. 

In Part A, covering methanol and ethanol-fuelled ships, new structural strength requirements for methanol/ethanol fuel tanks—which are not addressed in the IMO guidelines—have been established. 

“Through this revision, shipyards, designers, and shipowners can carry out design and safety assessments in line with the latest international standards, and by utilizing ClassNK’s own leak frequency estimates and the relevant requirements, they can proceed the development of alternative-fuelled ships in a more rationally,” ClassNK said in a statement. 

As the building of alternative-fuelled ships advances in response to the global challenge of reducing GHG emissions, ClassNK has comprehensively compiled the safety requirements for ships using methanol, ethanol, LPG, ammonia, and hydrogen—fuels regarded as promising alternatives—and has issued the guidelines. 

“Taking into account the risks that the use of alternative fuels poses to the environment, seafarers, and ships, the guidelines set out requirements for equipment, controls, and safety devices to minimize such risks,” it added. 

With the issuance of the IMO guidelines for hydrogen-fueled ships (MSC.1/Circ.1701), ClassNK said it has fully incorporated the IMO guidelines to make the guidelines more user-friendly for shipyards, designers, and shipowners, while also enhancing the requirements serving as design and assessment guidance for other alternative fuels. 

In the development of the IMO guidelines, now reflected in Part D, ClassNK participated as a member of the Japanese delegation to the IMO Sub-Committee CCC 11 and contributed to the discussions.

Note: The Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels (Edition 3.1)  can be viewed under “Guidelines” on My Page by registering as a user on the ClassNK website. 

 

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 20 August, 2026

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