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Piracy & Armed Robbery: A Rising Concern for Seafarers in Asia

Highlights from INTERTANKO News Bulletin January 2025.

24 / 01 / 2025

The seas of Asia remain vital arteries for global trade, connecting markets and transporting essential goods. Yet, as highlighted by the latest data from the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC), the region continues to face persistent threats from piracy and armed robbery. For seafarers navigating these waters, understanding and preparing for these dangers is essential.

Incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia increased by 6% in 2024 compared to the previous year. "

ReCAAP ISC Annual Report 2024.

Alarming Statistics from ReCAAP ISC’s Annual Report

At the Nautical Forum 2025, held on January 9 at the Paradox Singapore Merchant Court Hotel, ReCAAP ISC unveiled its 2024 Annual Report, painting a concerning picture. Incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia increased by 6% in 2024 compared to the previous year. A total of 107 incidents—95 actual and 11 attempted—were recorded, up from 101 incidents in 2023.

Of particular concern were two Category 1 (CAT1) incidents, where armed perpetrators took crew members hostage.

The report also noted an escalation in the severity of incidents, with perpetrators increasingly carrying weapons such as knives. While 86% of incidents left crews unharmed, some involved physical coercion, tying up crew members, and even siphoning biofuel or damaging navigational equipment.

The Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) remain a hotspot, accounting for 62 of the 107 reported incidents, with most occurring during nighttime hours, particularly between 2:00 AM and 2:59 AM. However, the Sulu-Celebes seas provided a rare bright spot, marking the fourth consecutive year with no abduction incidents—a testament to the efforts of regional law enforcement.

How Mintra Supports Seafarers’ Safety

In the face of these threats, Mintra is committed to equipping seafarers with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe. Mintra offers comprehensive training courses tailored to address piracy and armed attackers, ensuring crews are prepared for the challenges they may face at sea.

Key Courses Offered by Mintra:

1. Ship Security Officer (SSO) – This course is fully certified, and part of the training required to earn the internationally recognised STCW Table A-VI/5 (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) qualification.

2. Ship Security Training – Available for crew members with and without designated security duties, these courses are fully certified and part of the training required to earn the internationally recognised STCW Table A-VI/6-2 (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) qualification.

3. Piracy & Armed Robbery Training -A quick 40-minute course suitable for anyone on board. It provides awareness of Best Management Practices to assist companies and ships in deterring and responding to piracy attacks and armed robbery.

4. Active Shooter Training – This course is written to current HSE guidelines and provides a basic understanding of active shooter incidents and how to respond. Being aware of what to do in an active shooter scenario, reduces your own risk and help to keep others safe too.

5. Coping Under Pressure – Learn how to deal with unexpected obstacles at sea with this series of 5 courses teaching soft skills to improve communication and build resilience, perseverance, and decision-making under pressure.

6. Maritime Security Awareness training - This 15-minute course provides an overview of personal security risks, information security risks and site security risks and their associated risk reduction methods.

7. STCW Crowd and Crisis Management? – This 90-minute course is the first of two stages to achieve the STCW certificate for all crew with responsibility for assisting with crowd and crisis management during an emergency.

8. Armed Attacker, what do you do? – This short course provides safety-critical workers with essential tactics to respond to and mitigate the risks of an armed attack.

These courses are designed to empower seafarers with practical knowledge, from maintaining vigilance and reporting incidents to implementing preventive measures. By investing in training, shipowners and operators can enhance the safety and resilience of their crews.

Vigilance and Collaboration are Key

ReCAAP ISC emphasises the importance of vigilance and collaboration in combating piracy. Recommendations include maintaining a constant lookout for suspicious activity, promptly reporting incidents to coastal states, and implementing preventive measures outlined in the “Regional Guide 2 to the Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.”

While the increase in incidents is concerning, the efforts of law enforcement agencies and the maritime industry have shown that collective action can make a difference. Enhanced watchkeeping practices, timely reporting, and training initiatives like those offered by Mintra are crucial steps toward safeguarding the lives of seafarers and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of global trade.

To learn more about Mintra’s courses and how they can help your crew stay safe and compliant, visit Mintra.com.