Piracy In The Straits Of Malacca And Singapore

Timur Abdusamatov, Alliance School of Law, Alliance University, Bangalore

Introduction

In some of the busiest water ways in the world, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, piracy and armed robberies have increased to the highest levels in 5 years and the ongoing territorial disputes in the region have put on additional pressure on nations and international organizations in policing the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.1 According to data from ReCAAP ISC (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, Information Sharing Centre) , there has been a 17% increase in Piracy in 2020 with 51 cases reported from just January to June and a total of 91 cases reported last year in the region.2 Tracing pirate activity in this region becomes extremely difficult because, unlike the Somali pirates that engage in chasing, seizing, and kidnapping crew members, pirates in the south Asian region prefer stealth and therefore they make money by selling what they steal instead of ransoming seafarers. Maritime bandits in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore often target small cargo ships transporting scrap metal, liquid fuel, or other petroleum products.3 Crimes of this magnitude require very specific intelligence such as what ship is hauling, where it will be at a specific time, the ship’s security measures, and similar details. According to the deputy director at ReCAAP ISC, Nicholas Teo, the pirates receive such specific information from their family members who are port workers, corrupt seafarers, and even military and government sources. According to the ‘Maritime law and Policy for energy security in Asia’ report by Kevin X.Li and Jin Cheng, nearly 50% of crude oil 66% of natural gas in the world as well as 40% of the world’s trade is transported through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.4 This research paper will analyse the factors that influence and motivate piracy in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, as well as express different recommendations to tackle this issue of high concern.