- Shipping Industry Alarmed by Spike in SOMS Sea Robberies.
- ReCAAP Calls for Action as SOMS Incidents Surge.
- 80 Sea Robbery Incidents Reported in SOMS, Up from 21 Last Year.
The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) recently hosted a discussion with representatives from the shipping industry to tackle the growing problem of armed robbery against ships in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS). Between January and June 2025, there were 80 reported incidents of sea robbery in the SOMS, a dramatic increase from just 21 incidents during the same timeframe in 2024, reports Maritime Gateway.
Nature of Incidents and Safety Concerns
Most of the reported incidents involved theft and robbery on board vessels. In these cases, the criminals usually avoided confrontation, fleeing when detected and leaving the crew unharmed.
During the discussion, participants voiced their worries about the sharp uptick in incidents in the first half of 2025. They stressed the need for immediate reporting of such events to the law enforcement agencies of the coastal States.
Discussion on Preventive Measures
Participants also shared case studies of unauthorised boardings and exchanged ideas on enhancing shipboard security. Some recommendations included:
- Implementing closed-circuit television (CCTV) for evidence collection
- Increasing the number of watchkeeping crews during nighttime transits
These measures are designed to deter sea robbery threats and ensure a swift response.
ReCAAP ISC Urges Stronger Response
“The spike in sea robberies in the SOMS this year is a cause for concern, as almost half of the world’s total annual seaborne trade tonnage passes through the SOMS. To deal with these incidents effectively, littoral State authorities need to increase their presence and deterrence in the areas of concern where incidents are occurring repeatedly, and arrest the culprits who are boarding ships illegally to steal items. I urge shipmasters transiting the SOMS to stay alert and step up preventive measures, especially in the hours of darkness, to prevent unauthorised boardings by perpetrators,” said Vijay D Chafekar, Executive Director, ReCAAP ISC
Joint Efforts to Tackle Maritime Crime
MPA Singapore emphasised the importance of teamwork among various agencies to fight against armed robbery in the region. They were joined by contributors like the Information Fusion Centre (IFC), the Singapore Police Coast Guard, and Hafnia Chem Shipholding, who all shared their collaborative efforts and suggested ways to better protect ships in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
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Source: Maritime gateway
