Piracy incidents increase 18pc in Southeast Asia in first half

Jul.22--SINGAPOREAN anti-piracy organisation, ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC), said 106 piracy incidents have been reported in southeast Asia during the first half of the year, an 18 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Out of the 106 incidents, six cases were classified as attempted incidents, while the remaining 100 cases were actual incidents, London's Tanker Operator reported.

Most of the reported incidents were petty thefts, although 10 were rated severe, or Category 1, involving fuel siphoning and hijacking. "At least one incident was reported each month in January/June 2015," said ReCAAP ISC in its 2015 half-yearly report.

The pirates usually targeted smaller tankers carrying fuel and then fled once the cargo was siphoned off.

Seventeen hijackers were arrested and prosecuted for maritime crimes during the first half of the year,N the report said.