ReCAAP Reports Two Armed Robberies on Bulk Carriers in Singapore Strait
The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC), the Singapore-based regional anti-piracy body, has reported two incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia for the week of 3–9 November. Both happened on bulk carriers underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme in the Singapore Strait, the busy waterway between Singapore, Malaysia’s Johor coast and Indonesia’s Riau Islands.
In the first case, on 2 November, robbers stole engine spares and one crew member suffered a minor hand injury. ReCAAP rated this a Category 3 incident. In the second case, on 4 November, nothing was stolen and no one was hurt; it was rated Category 4, the least serious level.
From the CrewMirror Blog
ReCAAP says 27 incidents have been reported in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore since January 2026. It has urged ships to stay alert, keep proper anti-robbery lookouts and report all incidents to coastal authorities at once, and has asked littoral states to step up patrols.
In better news, the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off eastern Sabah have now gone six years without a crew abduction, the last one being on 17 January 2020.
CrewMirror Takeaway
Most Singapore Strait robberies happen at night on slow-moving ships, often targeting the engine room and stores. Crews should keep stern and steering-gear areas locked and lit, and report any boarding to the Singapore Port Operations Control Centre immediately.
