Reported incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia fell sharply during the first half of 2026, according to the latest Half Year Report released by the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC). Between January and June, 35 incidents were reported across Asia, marking a 64% decline from the 96 incidents recorded during the same period in 2025. ReCAAP said this was the lowest first-half total since 2019 , when 28 incidents were reported. All 35 cases involved armed robbery against ships in internal waters, territorial seas or archipelagic waters under coastal state jurisdiction. Most were opportunistic thefts carried out using a “hit-and-run” approach. Of the total incidents, 21 occurred while vessels were underway and 14 while at anchor . The Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) remained the region’s main area of concern, accounting for 21 incidents , or 60% of all reported cases. However, incidents in the waterway declined 74% compared with the 80 incidents recorded during the first half of 2025. ReCAAP also reported 10 incidents in Philippine ports and anchorages, compared with none a year earlier. Meanwhile, incidents decreased in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the South China Sea, Vietnam and the SOMS. The report also noted that no crew abductions have been reported in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah since January 2020. “The sharp decrease in incidents in the SOMS in the first half of 2026 can be attributed to the combination of effective preventive measures by the shipping industry and firm operational response by the law enforcement agencies of the littoral states,” said ReCAAP ISC Executive Director Vijay Chafekar. He added that shipping companies are encouraged to use ReCAAP’s Data Visualisation Map & Panel (Re-VAMP) to assess risks and strengthen preventive measures during voyages. The post Armed robbery against ships in Asia falls 64% in first half of 2026 appeared first on Container News .