ReCAAP ISC informed that four incidents were reported on board ships while underway in the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait, from 27 – 31 March 2023.
Three incidents occurred off Pulu Cula, Indonesia and one incident off Tg Pergam, Indonesia. In two incidents, the perpetrators were armed with knives, and no reports of the perpetrators with arms in the other two incidents. The crew was not injured in all the four incidents. Engine spares were stolen in one incident, spare parts for the fuel pumps stolen in another incident, and nothing was stolen in the other two incidents.
With these four incidents, a total 18 incidents were reported in the SS since January 2023. As the perpetrators are not arrested, there is a possibility of further incidents in the Singapore Strait.
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. The Centre looking forward for a positive
outcome from the Indonesia-Singapore Coordinated Patrols in securing the Singapore Strait and Phillip Channel shipping lanes.
All 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 and report all incidents immediately to the nearest coastal State.
ReCAAP ISC stated.
Location of Incidents in the Singapore Strait (January-March 2023)
The ReCAAP Focal Points reported to the ReCAAP ISC a total of 18 incidents that occurred on board ships while underway in the SS during January-March 2023. A total of four incidents occurred in January 2023 (4 Jan, 5 Jan, 20 Jan and 27 Jan), seven incidents in February 2023 (1 Feb, 3 Feb, 8 Feb, 15 Feb, 17 Feb, 18 Feb and 23 Feb) and seven incidents in March 2023 (2 Mar, 10 Mar, 11 Mar, 27 Mar, 29 Mar and two incidents on 31 Mar).
From a quarter-to-quarter comparison, the number of incidents during January-March 2023 is the same as that during January-March 2022. The ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the continued occurrence of incidents in the SS, in particular, the cluster of incidents off Pulau Cula (Indonesia) [nine incidents], and the involvement of armed perpetrators as reported in six of the nine incidents in this cluster.
