Reports of piracy in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia are at a 10-year low according to a report released by the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). It is now safer than every to cruise through the region.
The report added that there have been zero reported acts of piracy or attempted armed robbery against Superyachts. There was also a 15 per cent drop in attacks on commercial shipping in the region since last year. Piracy and attacks in the region have been consistently dropping in number and severity since peaking in 2015.
ReCAAP studied reports of incidents at ports and anchorages in Bangladesh, the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as those involving vessels passing through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Their conclusion was that Asian seas are the safest they have been for a decade, especially for Superyacht owners.
Of 40 reported incidents since January, 11 were failed attempts and several cases ended with successful arrests and recovery of stolen property. The vast majority of incidents were cases of armed robbery, with only three cases of piracy reported. In addition, 31 of the incidents were attacks on ships at anchor, with only nine attacks on ships underway.
The study highlighted significant improvements in security in the Philippines, with a decrease in the number of reports coming from ports and anchorages there. However, attacks on ships in the Singapore Strait doubled from two cases in the first half of 2017 to four in 2018. Cyber piracy is also a concern that Superyacht captains need to keep in mind with hackers targeting yachts computer systems for fraud and extortion.
Footnote:
Contact Seal Superyachts Philippines for detailed information about cruising around Philippines, superyacht charter regulations and about how we can support your visit.
Principle agent Miguel Ramirez is proud to have worked with many of the World’s largest Superyachts and has extensive knowledge of Philippines and the surrounding area.
Miguel Ramirez
Phone: +63 917 835 6988
Email: philippines@seal-superyachts.com