Insight Focus
Piracy has surged in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. ReCAAP recorded 80 incidents in the first half of 2025, a 400% jump from last year. SOMS now accounts for 84% of Asia’s piracy incidents, while the Sulu-Celebes Seas remain calm, reflecting uneven security amid global shipping disruptions.
The Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) have emerged as the primary focal point for maritime security concerns, according to the half-year report from the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP).
During the first six months of 2025, this region witnessed 80 piracy and robbery incidents, marking a staggering 400% increase compared to the 21 incidents recorded in the same period last year.
While most incidents were low severity and involved petty thefts, the total number—78 actual and two attempted—serves as a significant alert. Notably, the number of incidents in the first half of 2025 surpasses the total incidents recorded in SOMS since 2007, with the exception of 2015.
The following graph illustrates the yearly number of reported incidents in SOMS from 2007 to 2023, along with data for the first half of 2024 and 2025.
ReCAAP classifies reported incidents into four categories based on severity, with CAT1 being the most severe and CAT4 the least. Of the 78 confirmed incidents in the first half of 2025, seven were classified as CAT2, 39 as CAT3, and 32 as CAT4. Fortunately, no incidents reached CAT1 severity level.
Most incidents involved petty thefts with no injuries to crew members. The perpetrators mainly targeted unsecured onboard assets such as engine spares and other ship property. However, ReCAAP emphasises the importance for the maritime industry to remain vigilant and implement measures to address the rising trend of piracy in Asia.
The following graph depicts the severity distribution of incidents in SOMS from 2007 to 2023, as well as the first halves of 2024 and 2025. From 2014 through 2023, CAT4 incidents constituted the majority. However, since 2024, the trend has shifted, with CAT3 incidents now representing the majority, indicating an overall increase in the seriousness of piracy activities over the years.
SOMS as a Catalyst for Regional Growth
On a broader scale, ReCAAP reported a total of 95 piracy incidents across Asia during the first half of 2025, representing an 85% increase from 52 incidents in the same period of 2024. Of these, SOMS accounts for 84% of all incidents, underscoring its growing significance as a piracy hotspot.
Outside SOMS, some countries experienced a minor rise in piracy incidents, while others recorded decreases in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024.
Of the 95 incidents reported in January-June 2025, 13% (12 incidents) involved ships at anchor or berth, while 87% (83 incidents) occurred while ships were underway.
Improving Security in the Sulu-Celebes Seas
The threat of crew abductions for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas has shown consistent improvement over five years, with no incidents reported in the first half of 2025. The last kidnapping in this region occurred in January 2020. The threat level has been downgraded to “LOW” as of January 2025, indicating that there are no indications of imminent attacks.
Nonetheless, the presence of remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the Sulu and Tawi Tawi areas necessitates continued vigilance. ReCAAP advises ships to maintain communication with relevant authorities and report any incidents to the Philippines Operations Center and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM).
Despite the regional improved conditions in the Sulu-Celebes Seas, the shipping sector continues to face numerous challenges amid several heavy global disruptions and challenges—from the Houthi blockade of the Red Sea and Suez Canal, to the Trump tariffs affecting US imports, congested ports in Europe causing delays and rising piracy in Asia. Shipping has become extremely unpredictable, meaning everyone has to be alert and flexible.
