Rising Violence and Armed Robbery Risks for Vessels in the Singapore Strait

Vessels navigating the Singapore Strait have been repeatedly cautioned about the risks involved, with the latest incident involving a crewmember being stabbed and taken to a hospital. The majority of incidents in the area are attempted robberies of spare parts or equipment from vessels, usually by small groups armed with knives who flee when confronted. However, a recent report by Ambrey detailed a more violent encounter, where two boarders with knives repeatedly stabbed a crewmember on a tanker transiting through the Phillip Channel.

The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) has observed an increase in attacks, with 86 incidents and 10 attempts reported in 2024 compared to 100 incidents in all of 2023. Of particular concern is the rise in violent incidents, with 17 cases of crew being threatened, held hostage, or injured this year, up from nine in 2023. In recent weeks, ReCAAP documented multiple instances of vessels being boarded in the Singapore and Malacca Straits, with stolen equipment and crewmembers being tied up.

The Singapore Strait has been a hotspot for such incidents, accounting for more than half of the reported cases in 2024. ReCAAP continues to urge ships to maintain heightened vigilance when navigating the area and calls on the littoral states to enhance patrols and enforcement measures. The recent surge in violent attacks underscores the need for increased security measures to ensure the safety of crew and vessels transiting through these busy waterways.

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