A 500% increase in reported vessel boardings in the Singapore Strait from November 2024 to February 2025 has raised concerns about maritime security in the region. Additionally, in 2024, 57% of all reported maritime security incidents affecting cargo vessels worldwide occurred in Southeast Asia. However, while these figures suggest a growing security risk, a closer analysis reveals a more nuanced picture.
Understanding the Numbers
- Consistent Trends: Despite the recent spike, the overall frequency of vessel boardings in the Singapore Strait has not seen dramatic year-on-year increases since 2019.
- Improved Reporting: Some fluctuations in statistics may stem from better reporting practices rather than an actual rise in criminal activity. Conversely, under-reporting remains an issue in certain regional ports and anchorages.
- Nature of Crimes: Of 67 incidents recorded in 2024, 36% resulted in no property stolen. Most incidents involved theft or armed robbery, with little to no violence.
Violence and Severity
- While knife-wielding perpetrators have been reported, violent attacks remain rare, with only one or two cases annually.
- No hijackings have occurred since 2015, and kidnapping-for-ransom ended in 2020 in the Sulu Archipelago.
Despite rising numbers, the severity of incidents remains low in the Singapore Strait. While concerns over seafarer safety and cargo security persist, the region has not experienced hijackings or kidnappings, distinguishing it from higher-risk maritime zones.
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Source: RISK INTELLIGENCE
