Robbert/Theft - Singapore Strait

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Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

20 April 2025; 1734hrs

Location:

Singapore Strait

Latitude/Longitude: 

1° 4' 55.80" N, 103° 42' 20.40" E 

Vessel Name, IMO, Type, Flag & Status

AQUARIS, 9251822, Tanker, Panama, Underway

Incident Type:

Robbery/theft 

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

On 20 April 2025, at 1734hrs UTC, the Tanker AQUARIS reported an attempted robbery while underway in the Singapore Strait. Three perpetrators armed with knives were sighted in the Engine Control Room. The master immediately raised the general alarm, mustered the crew for safety, and conducted a search aboard. All crew were accounted for with no injuries reported. Nothing was stolen. The vessel was bound for Tompok, Malaysia. The incident was reported to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) via VHF. Safety broadcasts on anti-piracy watch were initiated to warn all vessels to maintain vigilant watch in the Singapore Strait. 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 and Malaysian authorities.

Response Actions

- Self-defense Measures

- Singapore Vtis
- Police Coast Guard
- Singapore Navy

Stolen items

- N/A

Key findings

This incident demonstrates a typical modus operandi for robberies in the Singapore Strait, with perpetrators targeting the engine room for valuable spare parts. The swift response of the master in raising the alarm and mustering the crew likely deterred the attackers from completing their theft. The presence of weapons indicates the perpetrators' willingness to use force if confronted, though in this case they appear to have fled upon discovery. The multi-agency response and information sharing between Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia highlight the importance of regional cooperation in addressing maritime security threats in this busy waterway. The quick reporting to VTIS and subsequent safety broadcasts show an effective early warning system for other vessels in the area.

Recommendations

- Maintain heightened vigilance and regular security rounds, especially in high-risk areas like the engine room.

- Ensure crew is well-drilled in emergency procedures to enable rapid response to security threats.

- Utilize ship hardening measures such as locks on internal doors and hatches to delay intruders' movement.

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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