On 2 July, 2025, the ReCAAP ISC issued an alert on the continued occurrence of incidents of sea robbery onboard ships while underway in the Singapore Strait and warns a possibility of further incidents.
According to ReCAAP ISC, three incidents of sea robbery were reported on ships while transiting the Phillip Channel, in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait (SS) on 1 July 2025, within a time interval of three hours (between 0150 hrs and 0440 hrs). The incidents occurred in close proximity with each other (between 1.4 nm to 3.5 nm apart).
All three incidents occurred onboard bulk carriers. The perpetrators were armed with gun-like objects in one incident and reportedly not armed in the other two incidents. One ship reported loss of some engine spare parts, and nothing was stolen from the other two ships. The crew members were not injured in all three incidents.
With these three incidents, a total of 82 incidents were reported in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) [comprising one incident in Malacca Strait (MS) and 81 incidents in SS], since January 2025. The location of the incidents is indicated in the map bellow:
The ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the increasing number of incidents in SOMS compared to the corresponding period in 2024 (1 January – 1 July), where 21 incidents [comprising one incident in MS and 20 incidents in SS], were reported.
Recommendations
The ReCAAP ISC urges the littoral States to increase patrols/surveillance in their respective waters, respond promptly to incidents reported by ships, strengthen coordination and promote information sharing on incidents and criminal groups involved to arrest the perpetrators.
Ships are advised to intensify vigilance and maintain sharp look-out while transiting the areas of concern, particularly during hours of darkness, adopt preventive measures, including CCTV coverage at potential boarding places onboard as recommended in the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, report all incidents immediately using the ReCAAP ISC Mobile App to the nearest coastal State and flag State, and identify the perpetrators’ boat when reporting referring to the ReCAAP ISC’s Guide Book on Identification of Fishing Boats in Asian Waters.
The contact details of the littoral States of SOMS are:
INDONESIA – BAKAMLA
- Tel: +62 813 6387 7299 (Contact Centre Western Zone – Pulau Batam)
- +62 895 6003 00846 (Maritime Incident Reporting)
- +62 821 2518 9898
- +62 021 1503 21 (General Purpose Reporting)
- Email: [email protected] (Maritime Incident Reporting)
- [email protected] (General Purpose Reporting)
