There were 129 incidents reported between January and September 2014, the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) said in a report.
This is the highest level since the corresponding period in 2010, according to figures released by the Singapore-based body.
“Compared with the same period in previous years, there has been an upward trend in the overall number of incidents,” ReCAAP said.
“For the first six months of 2014, there has been a significant increase in the number of incidents compared to the same period of last year.
ReCAAP said there had been 61 incidents reported during the first half of 2013 versus 90 during the same period this year.
June proved the most piracy ridden month with 23 reported attacks. However, thereafter there was a “significant reduction” in the number of incidents.
Of particular concern to ReCAAP is the siphoning of fuel oil from hijacked ships, though the number of such incidents has fallen since August due to what was described as “collaborative efforts” between the maritime enforcement authorities and the shipping industry.
ReCAAP urged countries to step up surveillance, maintain a continuous presence and conduct more regular joint coordinated patrols in the Straits of Malacca and off Singapore.
