Robbery/Theft - Singaport Strait

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Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

22 April 2025; 1500hrs

Location:

Singapore Strait

Latitude/Longitude: 

1° 5' 24.00" N, 103° 34' 25.20" E

Vessel Name, Type, Flag, IMO & Status

PANAGIA FORCE, Bulk Carrier, Unknown

Incident Type:

Robbery/theft

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

On 22 April 2025, at approximately 1500hrs UTC, the Bulk Carrier PANAGIA FORCE was boarded by four armed perpetrators while underway in the Singapore Strait. The intruders, armed with knives, were sighted in the engine room. The ship's emergency general alarm was activated, prompting a crew search of the vessel. Three crew members were discovered tied up in the engine room but were uninjured. No further sightings of the perpetrators occurred during the search. The incident was promptly reported to the Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS). Safety broadcasts were initiated to alert all vessels in the Singapore Strait to maintain vigilant anti-piracy watches. The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) were notified. Information about the incident was shared with Indonesian authorities. Upon the vessel's arrival at Singapore Anchorage, the Singapore PCG boarded for inspection, confirming no perpetrators remained aboard. It was determined that engine spare parts and personal belongings had been stolen during the incident. The PANAGIA FORCE had been en route from Brazil to Singapore Anchorage at the time of the attack.

Response Actions

• Security Incident Reported
• Self-defense Measures
• Singapore Vtis
• Police Coast Guard
• Singapore Navy

Stolen items

• Engine Spare Parts
• Personal Belongings

Key findings

This incident demonstrates a concerning level of sophistication and boldness by the perpetrators. Their ability to board a moving vessel, access the engine room, and subdue crew members indicates a well-planned operation. The targeting of engine spare parts suggests the attackers had specific objectives and possibly insider knowledge of the ship's cargo or layout. The rapid response and coordination between various maritime authorities, including cross-border information sharing, is noteworthy. However, the fact that the perpetrators were able to board, carry out the theft, and escape before authorities could intervene highlights the challenges of policing vast maritime areas effectively. The use of the emergency alarm and crew search protocols likely played a crucial role in preventing further harm or losses.

Recommendations

• Implement enhanced physical security measures in critical areas like the engine room.
• Conduct regular anti-piracy drills to improve crew response times and effectiveness.
• Consider employing armed security personnel when transiting high-risk areas of the Singapore Strait.

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.

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