Robbery/theft - Singapore Straits

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Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

29 March 2025; 2055hrs

Location:

Singapore Straits

Latitude/Longitude: 

1° 5' 22.80" N, 103° 43' 31.80" E

Vessel Name, IMO, Type, Flag & Status

KOTA HALUS, 9238612, Container Ship, Singapore & Under Tow

Incident Type:

Robbery/theft

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

While underway, three perpetrators were sighted on the port poop deck moving towards the aft station. Upon being spotted, the perpetrators jumped overboard and escaped in a small boat. The master raised the general alarm and a search was conducted. During the search, it was discovered that the air-conditioning room was accessed and a portable welding machine was missing. The crew was not injured. The incident was reported to Singapore VTIS. Safety broadcast on anti-piracy watch was initiated to warn all vessels to maintain a vigilant watch. The Singapore PCG boarded the ship to conduct a search with no perpetrators found.

Response actions

-    Security Incident Reported
-    Singapore Vtis
-    Police Coast Guard

Stolen items

- Portable welding machine

Key findings

This incident demonstrates a common tactic used by opportunistic thieves in the Singapore Strait: boarding a moving vessel under cover of darkness. The perpetrators' quick escape upon detection suggests they were not heavily armed or prepared for confrontation, focusing instead on rapid entry and exit. Their target—a portable welding machine from the air-conditioning room—indicates a preference for easily transportable, high-value items that can be quickly resold. The ship's crew's vigilance in spotting the intruders likely prevented further theft. The rapid response from Singapore authorities, including the Police Coast Guard boarding for a search, showcases the well-coordinated maritime security measures in place in the Singapore Strait. However, the thieves' successful escape highlights the ongoing challenge of securing large vessels against small, agile boats in busy waterways.

Recommendations

-    Maintain constant vigilance, especially on the poop deck and near access points
-    Secure and regularly inventory high-value portable equipment 
-    Ensure immediate reporting to authorities to enable rapid response

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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