Approximate place of the 31 occurrences of heist versus ships happening in the Strait of Singapore area so far this year. [Image: ReCAAP ISC]
The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and also Armed Robbery versus Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) reports that, in a 6 hr duration, November 8-9, 3 ships were the topics of heists while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in theSingapore Strait The occurrences happened near to every various other. In all 3 occurrences, there was no fight in between the wrongdoers and also the team.
Following are the information of the occurrences
- On November 8, at regarding 2125 humans resources, the vessel Zeno was underway at regarding 4.4 nm south of Tanjung Bulat, East Johor, Malaysia when 3 wrongdoers were viewed in the engine space. The alarm system was right away increased and also a search aboard the ship was carried out. At regarding 2305 humans resources, the master upgraded Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) through VHF that there was no additional discovery of the wrongdoers aboard. Some ship tools consisting of a seeming pole, an oil tasting pole, a mobile breathing device, mobile tools for determining ullage and also a mobile spray painter were taken from the engine space. The team was not hurt. The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)’s Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and also Singapore Police Coast Guard were notified; and also the Malaysian and also Indonesian authorities were informed. A security navigational program was launched to signal seafarers.
- On November 9, at regarding 0220 humans resources, the mass service provider, Lefkada was underway at regarding 5.4 nm southeast of Tanjung Ramunia, East Johor, Malaysia when 2 wrongdoers were viewed at engine space storage locker. The alarm system was increased, team summoned and also a search aboard the ship was carried out. At regarding 0340 humans resources, the master upgraded Singapore VTIS that there was no additional discovery of the wrongdoers aboard. The oil spill tools storage locker was discovered opened and also a lifebuoy was taken. The team was not hurt. The RSN’s MSTF and also Singapore Police Coast Guard were notified; and also the Malaysian and also Indonesian authorities were informed. A security navigational program was launched to signal seafarers.
- On November 9, at regarding 0308 humans resources, the mass service provider, Atlantic Diana was underway at regarding 5.7 nm northwest of Tanjung Pergam, Pulau Bintan, Indonesia when one wrongdoer was viewed at the guiding equipment level. The alarm system was increased, team summoned and also a search aboard the ship was carried out. At regarding 0755 humans resources, the master upgraded Singapore VTIS that there was no additional discovery of the wrongdoers aboard. Nothing was taken and also the team was not hurt. The RSN’s MSTF and also Singapore Police Coast Guard were notified; and also the Indonesian authorities were informed. A security navigational program was launched to signal seafarers.
With these 3 most recent occurrences, a total amount of 31 occurrences have actually been reported in the Singapore Strait this year. Of these, 27 occurrences happened in the eastbound lane of the TSS, one event in the westbound lane of the TSS, 2 occurrences in the preventive location, and also one event simply outdoors (south) of the TSS.
Masafumi Kuroki, Executive Director of ReCAAP Information Sharing Center, commented:
“Since January 2020, 31 incidents of armed robbery against ships have been reported in the Singapore Strait, of which 27 occurred in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme. In addition to asking the shipping community to exercise upmost vigilance, we also urge the littoral states concerned to take enforcement actions to apprehend the perpetrators–without which the spate of incidents is likely to continue. All incidents, however ‘moderate,’ should not be ignored because the lack of arrests can embolden criminals to escalate their crimes.”
