Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in the Southeast Asia: A Critical Evaluation with a Focus on the Singapore Strait.

According to the 2022 annual reports of the IMO and regional piracy reporting centers in Southeast Asia, the number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships (ARAS) in the Singapore Strait was the highest in the world. However, when these reports are examined in light of the definitions of piracy and ARAS, the number of incidents in the reports is greatly exaggerated. Consequently, changes should be made to the reports of incidents so that they more accurately reflect the legal definitions of piracy and ARAS. In addition, States bordering the Singapore Strait and ship owners and operators should take steps to reduce the number of incidents of unauthorized boarding of ships transiting the Singapore Strait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]