Multiple Incidents of Ship Robberies Reported in Singapore Strait

Four incidents of piracy were reported in the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait from August 7-9, 2023. The first incident occurred off Tanjung Tondong, Indonesia, while the other three incidents took place in the Philip Channel, off Cula Island, Indonesia. All four incidents involved bulk carriers being targeted while underway in the traffic separation scheme (TSS). In one incident, the perpetrators were armed with knives, while in the other three incidents, they were unarmed. The perpetrators were sighted in the engine room in three incidents and on the port quarter deck in one incident. In all four incidents, engine spares were stolen, but no crew members were injured.

These incidents bring the total number of reported incidents in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) to 55 since January 2023. Of these, 51 incidents occurred in the Singapore Strait, while four occurred in the Malacca Strait. In comparison, there were 55 incidents reported in SOMS throughout the entire year of 2022, all in the Singapore Strait. The ReCAAP ISC is urging littoral states to increase patrols and surveillance, respond promptly to reported incidents, strengthen coordination, and share information on criminal groups involved in order to apprehend the perpetrators. Ships are advised to maintain vigilance, especially during darkness, follow preventive measures outlined in the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, and report all incidents immediately to the nearest coastal and flag states.

Reference Source: Google News .