ReCAAP ISC Half Yearly Report: Incidents drop 64% in first half of 2026

July 17 ------ The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) has released its Half Yearly Report 2026 for the period of January to June, reporting a decrease in incidents compared to the same period last year.

From January to June 2026, a total of 35 Armed Robbery Against Ships (ARAS) incidents were reported across Asia, representing a 64% decrease from the 96 incidents recorded during the same period in 2025. Overall, the ARAS situation improved across several previously affected areas, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS), the South China Sea, and Vietnam.

In contrast, the Philippines recorded 10 incidents during the first half of 2026, compared to no reported incidents during the corresponding period in 2025.

The Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) remain an area of concern. Between January and June 2026, 21 incidents were reported to the ReCAAP ISC, accounting for 60% of all ARAS incidents recorded in Asia during the period.

In response to the continued threat, the ReCAAP ISC issued an Incident Alert on 19 March 2026, urging the shipping community to exercise heightened vigilance and maintain a sharp lookout while transiting the SOMS. The alert also called on law enforcement agencies to strengthen surveillance and enforcement efforts to facilitate the arrest of perpetrators.

In contrast, no incidents were reported in the Sulu-Celebes Seas during the first half of 2026. As a result, the threat of crew abduction in the region remains downgraded to LOW, indicating that no information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack and that such incidents are not expected to occur.

Incidents of January-June 2026 compared to January-June 2025

In the following locations, there was an increase in the number of incidents reported during January-June 2026 compared to January-June 2025:

• Malaysia: One incident compared to zero incident

• The Philippines: 10 incidents compared to zero incident

However, there was a decrease in the number of incidents reported in these locations:

• Bangladesh: Two incidents compared to three incidents

• India: Zero incident compared to three incidents

• Indonesia (less SOMS): One incident compared to six incidents

• Straits of Malacca & Singapore (SOMS): 21 incidents compared to 80 incidents

• South China Sea (SCS): Zero incident compared to two incidents

• Vietnam: Zero incident compared to two incidents

Area of Concern – Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS)

A total of 21 incidents were reported in the SOMS from January to June 2026, a significant 74% decrease compared to the first half of 2025 when 80 incidents were reported. The number of incidents reported in the SOMS accounted for 60% of all incidents reported in Asia in the first half of 2026.

Of the 21 incidents reported in the Singapore Strait (SS):

• Twenty incidents took place in the eastbound lane of the SS, while the remaining incident took place in the precautionary area.

• 62% of the incidents took place onboard bulk carriers, 29% onboard barges towed by tug boats, while the remaining 9% happened onboard tankers.

• The crew were not injured in 85% of the incidents. In 10% of the incidents, the crew were threatened or injured.

• Engine spares were taken in 33% of the incidents, while scrap metal was stolen from barges in 24% of the incidents.

• Approximately three out of every four incidents occurred during hours of darkness between 2100H and 0559H.

Status of ships

Of the 35 incidents reported during January-June 2026, 14 incidents (40%) occurred to ships while at anchor/berth and 21 incidents (60%) occurred to ships while underway. The incidents occurred onboard ships while they were anchored/berthed at ports and anchorages of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Recommendations

Law Enforcement Agencies:

• Respond promptly to incidents

• Strengthen coordination & promote information sharing among States

• Increase surveillance & patrols

• Arrest & prosecute perpetrators

• Engage shipping industry to encourage incident reporting & information sharing

• Minimize detention time of ship for investigation after incident

Ship master and crew:

• Report all incidents immediately to nearest coastal States

• Be vigilant, maximize lookouts & sound alarm

• Make informed risk assessment in voyage planning

• Adopt preventive measures when transiting areas of concern

• Keep abreast of latest situation, advisories & navigational broadcasts

"The sharp decrease in incidents in the SOMS in the first half of 2026 can be attributed to the combination of effective preventive measures by the shipping industry and firm operational response by the law enforcement agencies of the littoral states. The residual petty theft cases are localized in the eastbound lane of the Phillip Channel in the Singapore Strait. These incidents can be contained by implementing visible countermeasures onboard ships," said ReCAAP ISC Executive Director, Vijay Chafekar, Executive Director, ReCAAP ISC.

Source: safety4sea.com