Information Fusion Centre (IFC) issued its latest infographic, providing a summary of incidents against ships in the Singapore Strait as 8 November 2021.
According to the infographic below, there are a total of 9 incidents that happened in the month of October, which all occurred between 2250H-0230H, in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme, off Bintan and Batam, within the Singapore Strait.
Based on past trends, IFC assesses that the number of incidents/attempts is likely to remain higher than the baseline of two to three incidents per month, through to December 2021.
From Jan to Oct 2021, IFC has marked a total of 35 incidents in the SS, which is higher compared to 2020 with 28 incidents and to 2019 with 18 incidents over the same period.
Modus Operandi
-Perpetrators usually:
- are in group of average 4-6 pax;
- use small boats, target slow-moving vessels (7-12knots) with low freeboard.
-Perpetrators on cargo ships, bulk carriers and tankers:
- May 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 same night.
-Perpetrators on Tugs & Barges:
- Usually unarmed;
- Usually target ship’s parts and scrap metal.
Recommendations
- Remain vigilant, even in daylight hrs; report suspicious activities to local authorities immediately and inform IFC;
- Participate in Voluntary Community Reporting as depicted in MARSEC Charts Q6112 and Q6113;
- Adopt ship protection measures recommended in the regional guide to counter piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia, such as illuminating the accommodation block and poop deck and deploying sentries at poop deck.
