Contemporary maritime piracy in Southeast Asia

This paper analyzes the contemporary dynamic of maritime piracy in the Southeast Asian region. Having first discussed the main trends in terms of incidents, type of attack, geographic location, and facilitatory factors, an analysis is made of the main countermeasures that have been initiated in an attempt to control this particular maritime threat. The paper concludes by arguing that there is considerable scope for further improving regional and international action against piracy—especially with regard to creating effective multilateral joint patrol areas; consolidating the work of the Regional Piracy Centre; institutionalizing the issue of piracy on the future Southeast Asian security agenda; and creating more favorable conditions for the provision of regionally applied international assistance. Without such moves, there will be little to prevent piracy from growing into a more destabilizing influence than it already is.