Asian waters experienced a 7% increase in maritime security incidents in 2024, with a total of 107 cases reported, up from 100 the previous year. Among these, two severe category 1 armed robberies took place, marking the re-emergence of such life-threatening attacks after a long period of relative calm, according to the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC).
Category 1 incidents, the most serious classification, involve organised groups of heavily armed perpetrators. These incidents pose significant risks to the safety of crew members, who often face physical violence, including assault, being tied up, or threatened with firearms and sharp weapons.
The attacks frequently result in the hijacking of vessels or the theft of high-value cargo. One such incident occurred on February 1, 2024, when a tugboat and barge en route from Muara Sampit to Manggis, Indonesia, were targeted. The attackers held the crew hostage for more than 27 hours and made off with Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) cargo, cash, personal belongings, and navigational equipment. They also caused extensive damage to the ship’s navigation systems before fleeing.
A second category 1 incident took place on September 22, 2024, also in Indonesian waters. A tugboat and barge traveling from Bagendang Port to Stagen Kotabaru were attacked by perpetrators armed with firearms and sharp weapons. Four of the attackers boarded the vessels, restraining the crew and locking some members in a toilet.
Over the course of 8–10 hours, the attackers siphoned FAME cargo onto a waiting tanker and stole cash, mobile phones, and navigational tools, such as radar and binoculars. Communication and navigation equipment were also damaged before the perpetrators escaped. By November 1, 2024, Indonesian police had arrested 14 suspects connected to the attack.
While category 1 incidents are rare and highly dangerous, category 2 incidents saw a marked increase in 2024. Sixteen incidents were reported, compared to nine in 2023 and just four in 2022. These incidents, typically carried out by smaller groups of perpetrators armed with knives or machetes, often involve temporary hostage situations. The attackers frequently steal cash, engine spares, and other valuable ship property, threatening crew members but causing less harm than in category 1 cases.
The Straits of Malacca and Singapore remained the region’s most perilous area, recording 62 incidents in 2024, the highest in the region. Indonesia saw a rise in incidents, with 22 cases compared to 16 in the previous year.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh emerged as a new hotspot, with 13 incidents reported in 2024, up sharply from just one in 2023. Other locations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, India, the South China Sea, and Malaysia, recorded fewer incidents but still contributed to the overall regional insecurity.
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