During 1 Nov-1 Dec 2021, six incidents were reported onboard ships while underway in the Singapore Strait, as ReCAAP ISC notes.
As informed, five incidents occurred in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) and one incident in the precautionary area.
Incidents in the eastbound lane of TSS
The five incidents reported in the eastbound lane (comprising four actual incidents and one attempted incident) occurred at the following locations:
- Off Nongsa Point/Lighthouse, Batam Island (Indonesia): three incidents (4 Nov, 25 Nov and 1 Dec)
- Off Tanjung Pergam, Bintan Island (Indonesia): two incidents (22 Nov and 25 Nov)
There was no report of arms and the crew was not injured in all the five incidents. Engine spares were stolen in one incident and ship stores were stolen in another incident. Nothing was stolen in the other three incidents.
The ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the persistent occurrence of incidents in the Singapore Strait, particularly a growing cluster of incidents off Tanjung Pergam (25 incidents since January), and an increase of incidents off Nongsa Island (nine incidents).
With six incidents reported from 1 Nov to 1 Dec, a total of 41 incidents were reported in the Singapore Strait since January 2021. 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 in their respective waters, respond promptly to incidents reported by ships, strengthen coordination among the littoral States and promote information sharing on incidents and criminal groups involved in order to arrest the perpetrators.
All ships are advised to intensify vigilance and maintain look-out while transiting the area of concern, particularly during night time, adopt preventive measures and report all incidents immediately to the nearest coastal State.
