Robbery/theft - Phillip 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:

04 June 2025 : 20:45 UTC

Location:

Phillip Channel, Singapore Strait

Latitude/Longitude: 

1° 5' 57.60" N, 103° 33' 55.80" E

Vessel Name, Type, Flag, IMO & Status

MANDARIN RIVER, Bulk Carrier, Singapore, 9533335, Underway

Incident Type:

Robbery/theft

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

On June 4, 2025, at 20:45 UTC, the Bulk Carrier MANDARIN RIVER experienced an attempted robbery while underway in the Phillip Channel, Singapore Strait. The 3rd Engineer sighted four perpetrators in the engine room, with at least one reportedly armed with a gun-like object. The general alarm was immediately raised, prompting a search of the vessel. No perpetrators were found aboard, no injuries were reported, and nothing was stolen. The Master reported the incident to the Singapore Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) and confirmed that all crew were safe. The vessel did not require assistance and continued to her next port of call in Singapore.

Response Actions

- Security Incident Reported
- Self-defenCe Measures
- Singapore Vtis

Stolen items

- None

Key findings

This incident demonstrates a bold approach by the perpetrators, who managed to board a moving vessel and penetrate as far as the engine room before being detected. The presence of a gun-like object suggests a willingness to use force, though it's unclear if it was a real firearm or a replica used for intimidation. The quick response by the crew in raising the alarm and conducting a thorough search likely contributed to the perpetrators' hasty retreat without stealing anything. The attackers' focus on the engine room indicates they may have been targeting high-value engine spare parts or tools, a common objective in such robberies. The fact that they were able to board and disembark undetected highlights the challenges of maintaining constant vigilance in busy shipping lanes, even with modern security measures in place.

Recommendations

-  Implement enhanced watch rotations with particular focus on the stern and engine room access points .

- Install and regularly test intruder detection systems, especially in critical areas like the engine room.

- Conduct frequent security drills to ensure rapid, coordinated responses to boarding attempts.

Explore More From Castor Vali

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