Asia sees lowest recorded H1 piracy incidents since 2019

Separately, there has been no reported incidents of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah since January 17, 2020.

The number of incidents in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS), the South China Sea and Vietnam decreased in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year.

Area of concern: Straits of Malacca and Singapore

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