Singapore - The Singapore Strait is experiencing a sharp increase in armed robbery incidents targeting ships transiting the waterway, prompting heightened concern within the shipping industry. The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) reported a total of 35 incidents in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) between January and March this year. Alarmingly, seven new armed robbery incidents have occurred in quick succession within the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Phillip Channel Eastbound Lane, leading ReCAAP ISC to issue a warning and urge ship operators to exercise extreme caution.   

Seven vessels were targeted in these successive attacks, including three container ships, three bulk carriers, and one oil tanker. In one instance, a portable welding machine was reported stolen, while engine parts were discovered missing from another vessel. Fortunately, no injuries to crew members were reported in any of the incidents.

In response to the escalating trend, ReCAAP ISC issued an urgent incident alert on March 31st. Notably, six incidents occurred within the Singapore Strait alone between March 28th and 30th.   

In the Phillip Channel, three vessels were attacked in quick succession within a 90-minute timeframe:

Kota Halus: A container vessel (18,872 DWT, 1,080 TEU) owned by Pacific International Lines (PIL) was boarded by three intruders. They fled in a small boat upon being detected. Subsequently, a portable welding machine was found to be missing from the vessel.   

Junior: A 92,995 DWT bulk carrier was boarded by a single intruder who fled upon being detected. No items were reported stolen.
Andreas Petrakis: A 76,000 DWT bulk carrier was also targeted by a single intruder who fled without stealing any items.

Two more incidents occurred on March 29th:

Wan Hai 327: A 37,160 DWT container ship where four suspicious individuals were seen moving between a small boat and the stern of the vessel before disappearing without any reported actions.
Agneta Pallas III: A 319,000 DWT Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) where five individuals attempted to board the vessel but fled without managing to steal anything.
On March 28th, another PIL-owned container vessel, Selatan Damai (8,150 DWT, 28 TEU), was attacked. Four individuals entered the engine room, and engine parts were later discovered missing after they fled.   

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has reassessed the threat of crew abduction and ransom demands in the Sulu-Celebes Seas. Due to ongoing military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the threat level has been downgraded from "Moderate-Low" to "Low."   

This indicates that there is currently no intelligence suggesting an imminent attack in the Sulu-Celebes Seas, and the likelihood of incidents occurring is low. Consequently, ReCAAP ISC updated its advisory on February 14th, recommending that vessels transiting the area "maintain vigilance and report immediately to the Philippine Operations Center and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) in the event of an incident." Continuous communication with relevant authorities while navigating the area was also emphasized.

Experts suggest that the rise in armed robberies in the Singapore Strait could be attributed to the deepening economic downturn and potential weakening of maritime security. They stress the importance of ship operators strengthening their own security measures and strictly adhering to ReCAAP ISC's recommendations. Particular caution is advised when transiting during nighttime or periods of low visibility, and any suspicious vessels or approach attempts should be reported to the relevant authorities immediately.

The shipping industry has expressed serious concern over the recent surge in armed robberies in the Singapore Strait and emphasizes the need for proactive responses from relevant authorities, along with enhanced self-security efforts, to ensure the safety of ships and their crews.

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