Singapore’s Information Fusion Centre (IFC) published its latest infographic, providing an overview of incidents against ships in the Singapore Strait as of 31 May 2021. The update informs of two new incidents in the region since the last infographic on 14 May, in addition to one reported earlier in the month.
Both of the new incidents involved bulk carriers and occurred in hours of darkness, in an interval of three hours. The IFC recorded a total of three incidents in May 2021, all in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme in the Singapore Strait.
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 and bulk carriers:
- 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 metals.
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.
A total of 17 incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia during January-March 2021, marking a 39% decrease compared to the same period in 2020, ReCAAP ISC said in its first quarterly report for 2021.
