There have been a total of 96 incidents reported in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) since January 2025. This information is based on an incident that occurred on a bulk carrier in the Singapore Strait, where no crew members were injured and nothing was stolen.
Piracy and Abduction Trends
- Sulu-Celebes Seas: For the fifth consecutive year, there have been no reported incidents of crew abductions in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah. The last such incident was on January 17, 2020. Consequently, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has downgraded the threat level to “LOW,” indicating that no immediate attacks are expected. However, the ReCAAP ISC still advises ships to exercise vigilance and report any incidents.
- Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS): Despite the low-level nature of the latest incident, the high number of incidents in SOMS—totaling 96 since January 2025—is a cause for concern. The ReCAAP ISC recommends that ships remain vigilant while transiting this area and has urged littoral states to increase patrols and enforcement.
Recommendations for Mariners
To enhance safety, ship masters and crew are advised to:
- Report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery to the nearest coastal state and their flag state.
- Remain vigilant and take appropriate preventative measures.
- Refer to the ReCAAP ISC’s “Poster on the Contact Details for Reporting of Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia” and the “Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia” for detailed guidance.
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Source: Safety4sea
