Robbery - Philip Channel, Singapore Strait

Dear Client,
Please find below our most recent Flash Report. If you have any queries about our reports please contact us at africaops@castorvali.com.

Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

20 April 2025; 0500hrs

Location:

Philip Channel, Singapore Strait

Latitude/Longitude: 

1° 10' 0.00" N, 103° 46' 60.00" E 

Vessel Name, IMO, Type, Flag & Status

MSC TARA 3, 9259381, Container, Ship Liberia, Underway

Incident Type: 

Robbery

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

On April 20, 2025, at approximately 0500hrs UTC, a Liberia-flagged Container Ship was boarded by six perpetrators while underway in the Philip Channel, Singapore Strait. The attackers were reported to be carrying gun-like objects. The Police Coast Guard responded and assisted in searching the vessel. No equipment was reported missing, and all crew members were confirmed safe. The vessel planned to return to Singapore before proceeding to its next port of call.

Response Actions

- Security Incident Reported

- Coast Guard
- Police Coast Guard

Stolen items

- N/A

Key findings

This incident demonstrates a concerning trend of armed boardings in the Singapore Strait, particularly in the Philip Channel. The attackers' use of gun-like objects suggests a willingness to employ force, though it's unclear if these were actual firearms or replicas intended to intimidate. The rapid response of the Police Coast Guard highlights the effectiveness of local maritime security measures in this high-risk area. The fact that no items were stolen and the crew remained unharmed may indicate that the perpetrators were interrupted or deterred by the vessel's security protocols or the swift intervention of authorities.

Recommendations

- Maintain heightened vigilance and implement anti-piracy measures when transiting the Singapore Strait.

- Ensure immediate reporting of suspicious activities to local authorities and VTIS.

- Conduct regular security drills to prepare crew for potential boarding scenarios.

Disclaimer
You have received this report as part of your organisation’s subscription. Castor Vali assessment and advice is given based on the information received and processed by us and the surrounding circumstances known to us to exist at the time. Subsequent changes to relevant information or the surrounding circumstances may affect the reliability of our assessment and advice, but we do not accept responsibility for that effect. We do not accept responsibility for the outcome of any action taken or not taken as a result of our assessment and advice unless the possibility of that action being taken or not taken is set out in specific terms in our instructions.

UK Global Head Office: Castor Vali Ltd
Davidson House, Forbury Square, Reading, RG1 3EU, United Kingdom

West Africa Regional Headquarters: Castor Vali Nigeria
No 56a Akintude Adeyemi Drive, Off Chief
Collins Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria

East Africa Regional Headquarters: Castor Vali Africa (Kenya)
Unit B, Northern Wing, 2nd Floor, Nairobi Business Park, Ngong Road,
Nairobi, Kenya. PO Box +254 711 105 879 – 00505

United Kingdom | Nigeria | Ghana | Somalia | Kenya | Tanzania | Zanzibar |
Mozambique | South Africa | Mauritius | Dubai

Operations Centre (24 Hrs): +254 (0) 20 440 9614 | +254 (0) 711 105 879
info@castorvali.com