Increasing threat from Southeast Asia piracy

Dryad Maritime, a maritime security consultancy, is warning of an increasing threat from Southeast Asia piracy following the release of their Q2 figures which show that the area continues to experience the highest number of maritime crime incidents in 2014 when compared to other traditional piracy hot spots.

According to public policy think-tank the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability (NISS), the increase in piracy in Southeast Asia is attributed to a number of causes. These include; over-fishing, poor maritime regulation, organized crime syndicates, widespread poverty and politically motivated groups.

In addition, the NISS say the rise in trade in Southeast Asian waters adds further incentive for pirates. Overall trade in Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) increased by 16.8 per cent to $2.1 trillion in 2011 from 2010. In particular, ASEAN exports of mineral fuels and oils as well as their distilled products were worth $228 billion in 2011.

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