The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP ISC) reported that there were no piracy incidents in Asian waters in 2024, marking a significant achievement for the region.
ReCAAP ISC executive director Krishnaswamy Natarajan praised local governments and the Philippine Coast Guard for their efforts in maintaining a piracy-free environment, particularly in the Sulu-Celebes Seas.
While there were no abductions for ransom, there was a “moderately low” threat of such incidents due to the limited capabilities of potential perpetrators.
However, the report highlighted a six percent increase in ship robberies, with 107 incidents reported in 2024, mainly in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.
Despite the increase in robberies, most of the incidents saw no crew involvement, with only a small percentage resulting in crew injuries or threats.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 22, 2025
