The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP ISC) has sounded the alarm over a sharp rise in sea robbery incidents in the Singapore Strait (SS), urging authorities and seafarers to take immediate preventive action.
From 1 January to 1 July 2025, 82 incidents have been reported in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS)—a major spike compared to 21 incidents during the same period in 2024.
Clustered Attacks Highlight Escalating Threat
On 1 July 2025, three separate incidents of sea robbery occurred within a three-hour window in the eastbound lane of the Phillip Channel—a high-traffic area of the Singapore Strait’s Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). All targeted bulk carriers, with one reporting the theft of engine spare parts.
In one incident, gun-like objects were used to threaten the crew, though fortunately, no injuries were reported in any of the attacks. The attacks occurred in close proximity, just 1.4 to 3.5 nautical miles apart, suggesting potential coordination by the perpetrators.
2025 Sees Record Spike in Incidents
The number of sea robbery cases in 2025 is nearly four times higher than the same period in 2024. Of the 82 incidents, 81 occurred in the Singapore Strait and just one in the Malacca Strait. This alarming trend has prompted concern among maritime stakeholders, especially as many incidents involve ships in transit during nighttime hours, making them more vulnerable.
Urgent Measures Recommended for Authorities and Crews
In response to the growing threat, ReCAAP ISC is urging the littoral States (Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia) to:
-
Increase patrols and surveillance in high-risk waters
-
Respond quickly to incident reports
-
Strengthen coordination and intelligence-sharing to apprehend criminal groups
Ships transiting the area are also advised to:
-
Stay vigilant, especially during hours of darkness
-
Install CCTV in potential boarding areas
-
Follow preventive guidelines from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy
-
Use the ReCAAP Mobile App to report incidents immediately
-
Identify boats accurately using the ReCAAP guide on fishing boat identification
The surge in sea robbery in the Singapore Strait highlights a growing threat to maritime safety in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. With over 80 incidents already in the first half of 2025, ReCAAP ISC’s alert calls for proactive security, regional cooperation, and constant vigilance to protect seafarers and maritime trade from further disruption.
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: ReCAAP
