The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) received reports of 50 piracy and armed robbery incidents in Asia during January–September 2026.
This is down 58 per cent from 120 in the same period of 2025, ISC said during a dialogue with shipping companies and associations on Thursday, October 22.
Incidents in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) fell from 97 to 23. The centre also recorded declines in pilferage incidents in India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Of the 50 incidents, 48 involved armed robbery or theft in waters under coastal state jurisdiction, while two occurred as piracy on the high seas. Five were classed as CAT II, 16 as CAT III, and 29 as CAT IV. There were no CAT I incidents.
In the SOMS, 14 incidents involved bulk carriers, six involved tugs and barges, and three involved tankers. Seventeen occurred between 00:00 and 05:59. All but one took place in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme, with continuing activity in the Phillip Channel and northwest of Pulau Bintan.
Elsewhere, the Philippines recorded 12 incidents, Indonesia seven, and Bangladesh four.
Senior Lieutenant Colonel Lester Yong, Head of the Information Fusion Centre, said shipping companies could support prosecutions by providing law enforcement agencies with incident reports, evidence and testimony in a timely manner.
Participants agreed that robust onboard security can prevent unauthorised boarding in the SOMS. They also noted that deterrent action by law-enforcement agencies is needed to sustain the reduction.
The centre recorded 35 incidents in the first half of 2026, the lowest first-half total since 2019. In 2025, the SOMS recorded 108 incidents, the highest annual total for the straits since 2007.