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The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia is the first regional government-to-government agreement to promote and enhance cooperation against piracy and armed robbery in Asia. In its Annual Report for 2021, the following data regarding piracy and armed robbery against ships are discussed.

There was a total of 82 incidents of armed robbery against ships reported in Asia in 2021, comprising 77 actual incidents and 5 attempted incidents. This represents a decrease of 15% compared to 2020. There was no piracy incident in 2021.

The improvement can be attributed to the decrease of incidents across many countries and locations, namely, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South China Sea and Sulu-Celebes Seas.

There was zero incident in Bangladesh, South China Sea as well as the Sulu-Celebes Seas. This is an encouraging development.

However, there was an increase of 15 incidents in the Singapore Strait (49 incidents in 2021 compared to 34 incidents in 2020).

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A possible drone attack may have caused an explosion that struck three oil tankers in Abu Dhabi, and another fire at an extension of Abu Dhabi International Airport on January 17, that killed three people and wounded six.

According to ABC News, Abu Dhabi police did not immediately offer any suspects for the possible assault, but Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for an attack targeting the United Arab Emirates, without providing more information.

The Abu Dhabi police added that preliminary investigations indicated the detection of small flying objects, possibly belonging to drones, that fell in the two areas and may have caused the explosion and fire. No significant damage from the incidents.

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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the execution of their respective mandates in the country’s common interest.

More specifically, Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, admitted that success in the fight against maritime crimes and drug smuggling will depend on good teamwork between the two agencies.

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Piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia in 2021, reporting a total of 82 incidents of armed robbery.

There was a total of 82 incidents of armed robbery against ships reported in Asia in 2021, comprising 77 actual incidents and 5 attempted incidents. This represents a decrease of 15% compared to 2020. There was no piracy incident in 2021.

The improvement can be attributed to the decrease of incidents across many countries and locations, namely, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South China Sea and Sulu-Celebes Seas.