Robbery/theft - Singapore Strait

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Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

04 June 2025 : 19:30 UTC

Location:

Singapore Strait

Latitude/Longitude: 

1° 3' 54.60" N, 103° 37' 42.00" E

Vessel Name, Type, Flag, IMO & Status

DENSA SHARK, Bulk Carrier, Malta, 9607681, Underway

Incident Type:

Robbery/theft

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

On June 4, 2025, at approximately 19:30 UTC, the Bulk Carrier DENSA SHARK was boarded by seven perpetrators while underway in the Singapore Strait. An engineer sighted the intruders in the engine room, with at least one armed with a long knife. The general alarm was immediately raised, and all crew members mustered in the engine control room. No injuries were reported. The incident was reported to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) West, which initiated safety broadcasts to warn vessels in the area. The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) were notified. The PCG later boarded the vessel off Eastern Bunkering B Anchorage (AEBB) and conducted a search, finding no perpetrators aboard. Investigation revealed that generator spare parts were stolen, and one crew member had been restrained during the incident.

Response Actions

- Security Incident Reported
- Coast Guard
- Singapore Vtis
- Police Coast Guard
- Singapore Navy

Stolen items

- Engine Spares

Key findings

This incident demonstrates a concerning level of sophistication and boldness by the perpetrators. Their ability to board a moving vessel, navigate to the engine room, and successfully steal specific equipment indicates a well-planned operation. The use of restraints on a crew member suggests a willingness to escalate violence if confronted. The rapid response of the crew in mustering and alerting authorities likely prevented further theft or potential hostage situations. The theft of generator spare parts, rather than personal valuables, points to a targeted approach, possibly driven by black market demand for marine equipment. This specificity in theft target is a notable trend in recent maritime robberies in the region, indicating that the attackers may have inside knowledge of vessel inventories or specific buyer requests.

Recommendations

-  Implement enhanced physical security measures in critical areas like the engine room.

- Conduct regular anti-piracy drills to ensure rapid crew response to intrusions.

- Consider employing armed security personnel when transiting high-risk areas of the Singapore Strait.

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