Singapore’s Information Fusion Centre (IFC) has recorded a total of five incidents against ships in the Eastbound Lane of the Singapore Strait within 2021 so far. Two of them were sea thefts reported in February and were added to three attempted incidents reported in January.
Key facts
- Most recent two incidents occurred within hours of daylight between 1200H to 1400H
- All targeted vessels were transiting in eastbound lane of Traffic Separation Scheme in 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; and
- are non-confrontational.
-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; reportsuspicious activities to local authorities immediately
- 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.
See also: Three armed robberies against ships in Asia in February 2021
