The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published its Monthly Piracy Report for the month of October.
The following acts of piracy and armed robbery are allegedly committed against ships during the month of October 2023, reported by IMO Member States or international organizations in consultative status.
#1 In territorial waters
- Dimitris A, Bulk carrier, Cyprus
The incident: While underway, the master reported to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) West that two perpetrators armed with knives were seen in the engine room. The master raised the alarm and a search was conducted, with no further sighting of the perpetrators on board the ship. Nothing was
stolen and the crew was not injured. The master required no further assistance and continued her voyage to Singapore Anchorage. Singapore Police Coast Guard later boarded the ship at Singapore Anchorage for investigation.
- TRF Horten, Marshall Islands
The incident: While at underway, the master reported to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) that his crew saw four perpetrators at the entrance of the engine room. The master raised the alarm, and crew mustered to conduct security search. The master reported that the search was completed at about 0200 hrs, and some engine stores were reported missing. All crew was accounted for and no injuries reported. Safety navigational broadcast was initiated. The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard were notified of the incident. Information was shared with the Indonesian authorities.
- PS Falcon, Tanker, Panama
The incident: Safety navigational broadcast was initiated. The RSN’s MSTF and Singapore Police Coast Guard were notified of the incident. Information was shared with the Indonesian authorities. Upon further query, the master reported that the maneuvering of the ship was still under his control. The ship
was directed back to Singapore to a location close to the Pilot Boarding Ground. At about 0500 hrs, the ship anchored to allow the Singapore Police Coast Guard to board for a search. At about 0611 hrs, the Singapore Police Coast Guard completed the search and found no perpetrators on board.
- Navios Helios, Bulk carrier, Panama
The incident: About four or five robbers armed with a gun and knives boarded a bulk carrier underway. They took hostage the third engineer and tied him up. Duty oiler noticed the robbers and raised the alarm resulting in the robbers escaping with stolen spare parts. Incident was reported to Singapore VTIS and
the Singapore coast guard boarded the vessel for investigation.
- Etoile, Bulk carrier, Liberia
The incident: While underway, the master reported to Singapore VTIS West that the ship engineer saw three perpetrators armed with knives inside the engine room. A search was conducted onboard by the crew members, and at 0215 hrs, the master reported that the search was completed. Nothing was reported missing, all crew were safe and accounted for. No further assistance was needed.
- Merchia, Bulk carrier, Marshall Islands
The incident: While underway, the master reported to the company that five perpetrators armed with knives boarded the ship. The master was stabbed in the chest, and he reported the incident to Johor Vessel Traffic System. The crew sounded the general alarm, and attended to the injured master. The Company Security Officer notified Singapore Port Operation Centre via email.
#2 In port area
- Maersk Vigo, Container ship, Singapore
The incident: Duty crew on routine rounds onboard an anchored ship noticed two unauthorised persons on deck and raised the alarm resulting in the persons escaping with stolen ship’s properties. Incident reported to local authorities.
- Fairchem Edge, Product tanker, Marshall Islands
The incident: Security watchmen onboard the berthed tanker informed the watchkeeper that manifold items had been stolen. Theft confirmed by chief officer after investigating the storeroom. Incident reported to the local agent.
- Maersk Valencia, Container ship, Singapore
The incident: While at berth, the master reported that a petty theft incident occurred onboard the ship while she was berthed at Sandakan container terminal in Sabah. The ship had arrived earlier at the container terminal for cargo operations on 17 October and departed from the berth at 1030 hrs on 18 October to Sandakan anchorage. After arriving at the anchorage, the ship crew carried out a routine launching test of the rescue boat and discovered its outboard engine was missing. A search was conducted onboard upon the discovery, with no sighting of perpetrator. The engine was last seen onboard by the crew during a
safety and security patrol on 18 October, while the ship was at the container terminal. Apart from the reported missing item, the crew were safe and not injured.
