Reported piracy and armed robbery incidents against ships in Asia fell by 64 percent during the first half of 2026, according to the ReCAAP Information Sharing Center.
A total of 35 incidents were recorded between January and June, compared with 96 in the same period of 2025. This was the lowest first-half total since 2019.
The Straits of Malacca and Singapore remained the main area of concern, despite a 74 percent year-over-year decline. ReCAAP recorded 21 incidents in the region, down from 80 in the first half of 2025.
ReCAAP ISC Executive Director Vijay Chafekar attributed the reduction to preventive measures adopted by the shipping industry and firm operational responses from law enforcement agencies in the littoral states.
However, 20 of the 35 incidents recorded across Asia occurred in the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait. ReCAAP said the residual petty theft cases were concentrated in the Phillip Channel along the eastbound lane and could be contained through visible countermeasures onboard ships.
Bulk carriers accounted for 62 percent of the vessels targeted, while barges represented 29 percent. Engine spare parts were stolen in about one-third of the cases, while scrap metal was taken from barges.
Most incidents occurred at night. Perpetrators were armed with knives or guns in 44 percent of the reported incidents across Asia. In the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, crewmembers were threatened or injured in 10 percent of cases.
ReCAAP described most incidents as opportunistic and non-confrontational. Twenty-one occurred aboard ships underway, with perpetrators generally taking unattended spare parts or stores before leaving the vessel. When detected, they usually fled.
The Philippines recorded 10 incidents during the first half of 2026, compared with none in the same period of 2025. The Philippine Coast Guard arrested several perpetrators between January and April.
Individual incidents were also reported in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia.
ReCAAP said the overall severity of incidents declined across Asia. No cases were reported in the most serious category involving assaults on crewmembers or kidnapping.
The organization continued to call for vigilance, preventive measures and prompt reporting by vessels. It also urged regional authorities to respond quickly to reported incidents.
