Piracy, armed robbery incidents rose in Asia last year: report

THE number of reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia rose 19 per cent in 2017 compared to 2016.

Some 101 incidents were reported in 2017 compared to 85 incidents in 2016, an annual report by regional anti-piracy body, the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) showed.

This came after the number of such reported incidents fell to a 10-year low in 2016. The number of most severe incidents have, however, declined by over 50 per cent in 2017 compared to 2016.

Of the incidents reported in 2017, 85 were armed robbery against ships, 16 were piracy incidents. Last year, nine of these incidents took place in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore and 12 in South China Sea.