ReCAAP: Six Vessels Targeted in the Singapore Strait

Six ships sailing through the Singapore Strait were attacked by robbers over a five-day span

Through  May -Numerous incidents robberies targeted six ships navigating the Singapore Strait over just five days.According to the Regional cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), these incidents unfolded between May 2 and May 7, in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), near the western part of the strait around the Phillip Channel.

Rising total number of reported incidents 2025

This alarming spike has pushed the total number of reported incidents in this region for 2025 to a staggering 50—up from only 14 during the same timeframe last year. ReCAAP,celebrating its two-decade milestone this year,expressed serious concerns about this trend and cautioned that without intervention,more attacks could follow

Three vessels where hit within a mere hour

On  one notably busy day—May 7—three vessels where hit within a mere hour and fifteen minutes. Earlier that week on May 2, two ships faced similar fates within three and a half hours. Another incident was logged on may 5 as well. Notably, all attacks occurred while these vessels were actively sailing.

Various types of ships including chemical tankers

Among those targeted were various types of ships including chemical tankers like Elm Galaxy and S M A; product tanker Culture; along with bulk carriers such as SW Legend, Virgo, and Hui Shun No.1—all managed by owners from countries like Greece and the UAE.

Intruders  stealth

The number of assailants varied substantially—from a single thief aboard Elm Galaxy to five robbers attacking S M A. Most intruders opted for stealth over confrontation with crew members but some displayed weapons during their escapades—a worrying trend noted by recaap.

As an example, aboard Virgo—a Greek-owned bulk carrier—two out of five attackers appeared armed with firearms while two men brandishing knives were spotted during an attack on Hui Shun No.1 on May 7th.

No crew members sustained injuries

Related : (ReCAAP) : Thefts on ships and waters in Asian seaports

Fortunately, no crew members sustained injuries throughout these encounters; though, S M A and Elm Galaxy did report thefts involving engine spare parts while others claimed nothing was taken.It’s important to note that ReCAAP’s role is primarily observational—they don’t have enforcement capabilities but do coordinate efforts among member nations to combat piracy effectively.

They’ve called upon countries bordering the strait to ramp up patrols and enhance surveillance measures in response to these rising threats.

Moreover, they emphasized how crucial it is for nations involved to respond quickly when incidents are reported while also improving facts sharing across borders for better coordination against maritime crime.

For those navigating through this strait regionally or internationally? Extra caution is advised! Keeping vigilant watch at night is especially critical as most robberies occur under cover of darkness.

The Straits of Malacca and Singapore

The Straits of Malacca and Singapore safe-passage—the-straits-of-malacca-and-singapore are a 1,000-kilometer channel of water located between the Malay Peninsula and Singapore to the north, and Sumatra and other Indonesian islands to the south. Almost half of all global seaborne trade and roughly one third of the world’s crude oil passes through this route, making it one of the most important shipping lanes in the world. It is also a lifeline for Japan, with more than 80% of the country’s oil imports transported through the Straits.

At its narrowest