In the first half of 2023, Asia experienced a “sharp increase” in sea robbery incidents, according to Dryad Global’s latest Maritime Security Threat Advisory (MSTA).
Almost two-thirds of these occurred in the Singapore Strait, the MSTA highlighted, noting that this is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
“The rise in sea robbery is attributed to various socio-economic factors, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, reduced fish catch due to climate change, and the prevailing Southwest monsoon,” the MSTA stated.
“These challenges have pushed some local residents along the Singapore Strait to resort to sea robbery and petty crimes as a means to make ends meet,” it added.
The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre reported 59 instances of perpetrators boarding ships in Asian waters during this period, the MSTA noted. The MSTA dubbed this “a significant increase from the previous year’s 34 incidents”.
“The surge in sea robbery in such a critical maritime region raises concerns and underscores the need to address the underlying socio-economic factors to mitigate future incidents,” the MSTA said.
According to Dryad’s latest MSTA, which was published on July 31, total incidents in South East Asia in 2023 number 57, which the publication shows is a 12 percent rise compared to the same period last year. The total number of incidents in the Indian Ocean in 2023 are unchanged compared to the same period last year and the total number of incidents in West Africa in 2023 are down compared to the same period last year, the latest MSTA highlights.
In a previous MSTA published on June 20, Dryad noted that, within Southeast Asia, “officially recorded maritime security incidents continue to outpace those across the same time frame in 2022”.
“Southeast Asia continues to experience relatively high volumes of low-level maritime crime, particularly within the east and west- bound TSS within the Strait of Malacca and Singapore,” the MSTA warned.
In its annual report on the state of the maritime industry, which was published earlier in June, Dryad noted that, in 2022, South East Asia “continued to face a number of unique maritime security concerns”.
“The Strait of Malacca and Singapore and the Philippines experienced high frequency of low-level maritime crime. Geopolitical instability persisted in the South China Sea due to territorial disputes, with China’s assertive actions exacerbating tensions,” the report stated.
“Additionally, the potential for conflict in the Taiwan Strait threatened commercial maritime activity. Regional governments and international organizations prioritized cooperation and capacity-building to address these challenges, focusing on enhanced patrols, information sharing, and joint exercises,” the report added.
“Efforts were made to promote a rules-based order, freedom of navigation and adherence to international law for stability in the region’s maritime domain,” the report continued.
Dryad’s latest state of maritime security report includes the latest intelligence on analysis on the Gulf of Mexico, Libya, Ukraine, South East Asia, West Africa, and the Indian Ocean, a statement posted on Dryad’s website accompanying the report highlighted.
“Dramatic developments, in war risk, illegal territorial expansion, cybercrime and global health issues all significantly challenged the maritime industry in 2022,” the statement accompanying the report noted.
Dryad describes itself as a global risk intelligence partner. The business is headed by CEO Corey Ranslem, who has 27 years of experience in the public and private sector working with ports, cargo lines, cruise lines and large yachts. Ranslem is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and a recognized expert in U.S. Federal Court in maritime security, Dryad’s site highlights.
The MSTA is a weekly infographic that captures the global maritime security situation, Dryad’s site outlines.
To contact the author, email andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com
