S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)

Anti-Piracy and Sea Robbery Conference 2024 – Adapting To Evolving Maritime Security Challenges

16 April 2024

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC), together with co-organisers the Asian Shipowners Association (ASA), INTERTANKO and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), conducted the annual Anti-Piracy and Sea Robbery Conference 2024 today in conjunction with Singapore Maritime Week. This year’s conference focused on the growing risks to global shipping caused by piracy, armed robbery against ships, and geopolitical tensions impacting commercial shipping and supply chains, and how Asia and littoral States can respond to these challenges.

In his keynote address, Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), highlighted the importance of timely and accurate information sharing to facilitate timely assistance by enforcement agencies. He also shared IMO’s efforts in ensuring the safety of seafarers and the safe transit of cargo, for the uninterrupted flow of trade.

Over 150 participants from the shipping industry, academia, navy, coast guard, law enforcement agencies and diplomatic organisations attended the half day conference, which included panel discussions on the Resilience of the Global Maritime System and New Ways to Adapt to the Changing Maritime Environment.

Professor Maximo Q Meijia, Jr, President of the World Maritime University, moderated the first panel discussion on “How Resilient is the Global Maritime System?”

Panellists discussed current threats to global shipping, such as attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the resurgence of Somali piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean. These events have forced ships to re-route and take longer voyages to reach their destinations, resulting in higher freight costs and consumer prices.

These developments highlight the vulnerability of global shipping to geopolitical tensions, and the need for shipping companies and associations to provide timely advice to shipmasters on how to safely transit high risk areas.

The second panel discussion on “Exploring new ways in Adapting to the Changing Maritime Environment” was moderated by Professor Kentaro Furuya, Adjunct Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies and Professor, Japan Coast Guard Academy.

Panellists highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach and enhanced surveillance by law enforcement agencies to deter sea robbery incidents in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

The ReCAAP ISC has recently released the 1Q 2024 statistics on Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia, which is available for download. The report highlighted there were 26 sea robbery incidents in Asia from January-March 2024, a 4% decrease over the 27 incidents reported during January-March 2023. Notably, there were 11 incidents in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) in the first quarter of 2024, a 45% decrease from the 20 incidents reported during January-March 2023.

In his closing address, ReCAAP ISC Executive Director, Mr Krishnaswamy Natarajan, called on all stakeholders to work together to share information, synergise efforts and protect global shipping against piracy, sea robbery and other maritime threats.

“The lower number of incidents in the SOMS in the first quarter of 2024 can be largely attributed to better information sharing and coordination among the littoral States, and increased monitoring and enforcement by the authorities. I urge all stakeholders to continue to stay vigilant and keep this vital sea lane safe and secure for global shipping, said Mr Natarajan.