Singapore’s Information Fusion Centre (IFC) issued a summary concerning the sea thefts and attempted actions in the East Bound Lane of Singapore Strait in the timeframe between July to October 2020.
The shipping industry is still being challenged with the increase of piracy incidents and attacks throughout the globe. However, the Singapore strait remains a hot spot for this kind of incidents. For instance, ReCAAP ISC recently informed that in a week three incidents were reported in the area.
The key facts that the IFC reports, are:
- Most incidents occurred within hours of darkness between 2300H to 0300H
- Majority of targeted vessels (>90%) were east bound
- Incidents occurred in east-bound lane of Traffic Separation Scheme in Singapore Strait, North of Batam and Binta.
Accordingly, it is highlighted that in the most cases, the perpetrators are usually in a group of 4 to 6, using small boats. In addition, the attackers aim for slow-moving vessels with low freeboard and are non-confrontational.
In efforts to be protected, the Centre notes that concerning attacks against tankers and bulk carriers:
- the perpetrators could be armed with weapons like knives and steel bars;
- usually target ship’s engine parts and stores;
- same group of perpetrators may target few vessels in succession, in the same night.
In the meantime, concerning tugs and barges, the Centre states that the perpetrators are usually unarmed and go for the ship’s stores.
