ReCAAP ISC works closely with focal points (a designated contact point of each ReCAAP party), other government agencies, the shipping industry and international and regional partners such as the International Maritime Organization to achieve the common goal. ReCAAP ISC carries out a rapid and accurate exchange of information on incidents of piracy and theft at sea. RECAAP ISC maintains a network for the exchange of information with the Parties` focal points 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Through this exchange of information, ReCAAP ISC can issue warnings and warnings to the shipping industry and facilitate responses from law enforcement agencies in riparian states. Based on detailed incident information collected, verified and compiled, ReCAAP ISC provides accurate statistics and analyses of the situation of piracy and armed robbery in Asia through its periodic reports (weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports). While the situation of piracy and armed robbery of ships in Asia has improved in recent years compared to the early 2000s, the threat to ships and sailors is still there. Given the trade that runs through these waterways, the strategic importance of the Strait of Malacca and Singapore to the global economy cannot be underestimated. It is crucial that any threat to international shipping in the region be actively combated by riparian States and other stakeholders. No single authority or state can tackle maritime threats alone, as this is a “shared responsibility” of all parties involved. The ReCAAP Information ClearingHouse (Centre / ReCAAP ISC) was established in Singapore on 29 November 2006. At the 12th meeting of the Governing Council in 2018, the Board announced that ReCAAP ISC had met the criteria to be a centre of excellence for the exchange of information in the fight against piracy and armed robbery of ships at sea. The exchange of information is at the heart of the Centre`s work. Regular reports are sent to provide statistics, situation analysis and recommendations.
Data analysis to analyze a long-term trend of incidents. On the 12th. Meeting of the Governing Council of the ECB in 2018, the Council announced that ReCAAP ISC met the criteria to be a centre of excellence for the exchange of information in the fight against piracy and armed robbery of ships at sea. The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery of Ships in Asia, abbreviated ReCAAP or RECAAP, is a multilateral agreement among 16 Asian countries, concluded in November 2004 and comprising the RECAAP Information Clearing-House (ISC), an initiative to facilitate the dissemination of information on piracy. [1] The freedom and security of trade routes are important for the German economy. Ultimately, more and more attacks on ships endanger Germany`s prosperity. Germany is therefore intensifying its international efforts to combat piracy. ReCAAP ISC encourages cooperation with other regional and international organizations (governmental organizations and maritime associations) in order to exchange information and good practices and improve its network to jointly combat piracy and armed robbery. It has signed cooperation documents with like-minded organizations such as IMO, INTERPOL, BIMCO, INTERTANKO, ASA, IFC and DCoC.
Germany`s accession to ReCAAP is also an important step towards the implementation of the political guidelines for the Indo-Pacific region adopted by the Federal Government in September 2020 – the strategic direction of German foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific. The aim of the political guidelines is to intensify relations in and with the region and to place them on a broader basis. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is at the heart of these multilateral efforts. ASEAN is the most effective regional organization in the Indo-Pacific and promotes peace, security and stability in Southeast Asia. More than half of Germany`s exports are transported by international sea routes. Attacks on ships that threaten the safety of ships and their crews are on the rise and threaten trade routes between Asia and Europe. Germany wants to play a more active role in the fight against and prevention of piracy in this region of the world. The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) is the first regional intergovernmental agreement to promote and improve cooperation against piracy and armed robbery in Asia. The agreement entered into force on 4 September 2006. To date, 20 countries (14 Asian countries, 4 European countries, Australia, United States) have become parties to ReCAAP.
2. ReCAAP is an agreement in which Japan took the initiative, based on the perspective that regional cooperation is necessary to address the problem of piracy, and Japan systematically supports Activities based on ReCAAP. In order to strengthen its information exchange network, CSI ReCAAP carries out capacity-building activities of the Parties` focal points by training their reporting skills, exchanging best practices and updating the situation of piracy and armed robbery. It also makes it easier for focal points to promote cooperation with other government agencies and the shipping industry. ReCAAP ISC guides are being developed in consultation with the shipping industry and maritime law enforcement to prevent and deter piracy and armed robbery of ships in Asia. .