The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre said a total of 37 incidents of armed robbery against ships comprising 35 actual incidents and two attempted incidents were reported in Asia from January to June 2021.
The body said no piracy incident was reported during the period.
The number of sea robbery incidents, ReCAAP said, represents 35% decrease in the total number of incidents reported during first half of 2021, compared to the same period in 2020.
“We have seen a 35% decrease of incidents during January-June 2021 compared to 57 incidents during the same period in 2020. Continued occurrence of incidents on board ships underway in the Singapore Strait remains a concern. 20 incidents were reported in the Singapore Strait during January-June 2021, which is an increase by 4 incidents compared to the same period of last year. Incidents are likely to continue to occur if the perpetrators are not arrested.
“Although the incidents are decreasing, the ReCAAP ISC encourages all the stakeholders to continue collaborative efforts such as upholding vigilance, making timely reporting by ships and conducting quick response by coastal States in order to ensure maritime safety for the shipping community and safety of the seafarers,” ReCAAP ISC Executive Director, Masafumi Kuroki, said.