Robbery/Theft - Singapore Strait

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Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

19 April 2025; 2100hrs

Location:

Singapore Strait

Latitude/Longitude: 

1° 3' 12.00" N, 103° 37' 7.80" E 

Vessel Name, Type, IMO, Flag & Status

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

Incident Type:

Robbery/theft 

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

On April 19, 2025, at 2100 hours, the Container Ship MSC TARA III was boarded by three perpetrators while underway in the Singapore Strait. A crew member spotted the intruders on the upper deck, with one perpetrator carrying a gun-like object. The crew member immediately fled and alerted the master, who raised the general alarm and mustered the crew for safety. A thorough search of the vessel was conducted. All crew members were accounted for with no injuries reported, and nothing was stolen. The incident was promptly reported to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) via VHF. Safety broadcasts were initiated to warn all vessels in the Singapore Strait to maintain vigilant anti-piracy watch. The Republic of Singapore Navy's Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) were notified. Upon the vessel's arrival in Singapore, the PCG boarded for further investigation. Information about the incident was shared with Indonesian authorities.

Response Actions

- Security Incident Reported

- Self-defense Measures
- Singapore Vtis
- Police Coast Guard
- Singapore Navy

Stolen items

- N/A

Key findings

This incident demonstrates a bold approach by the perpetrators, boarding a moving vessel in a high-traffic area. The presence of a firearm, albeit unconfirmed, suggests a willingness to use force or intimidation. The attackers' quick retreat without stealing anything when discovered indicates they were likely opportunistic and not well-prepared for prolonged engagement or resistance. The crew's rapid response in alerting the master and the subsequent efficient execution of security protocols (alarm, mustering, search) likely contributed to the attackers' hasty departure. The immediate reporting to authorities and the multi-agency response, including cross-border information sharing, showcase an effective regional maritime security cooperation framework in the Singapore Strait.

Recommendations

- Maintain heightened vigilance and increase watch rotations in high-risk areas.

- Conduct regular drills to ensure crew readiness for rapid response to boardings.

- Implement physical security measures such as razor wire and locked access points.

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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