Tanker Crew Stabbed Repeatedly, Another Tied Up During Violent Piracy Attack In Singapore Strait

A violent piracy attack in the Singapore Strait has left the maritime world shaken. A tanker crew member was repeatedly stabbed, marking a dangerous escalation.

Two pirates armed with knives boarded a tanker in the Phillip Channel, leaving one crew member critically injured before fleeing.

Unlike typical piracy focused on theft, this attack highlighted a disturbing rise in violence against ship crews in the region.

ReCAAP reports a surge in piracy incidents in 2024, with 86 attacks and 17 involving violence or threats to crew members—a troubling increase from last year.

The Singapore Strait remains a piracy hotspot, with 57 incidents reported this year, pushing authorities to urge heightened vigilance and increased patrols.

While the Philippine government has successfully reduced abduction threats in the Sulu-Celebes Seas, minimal risks still persist.

ReCAAP continues to call for preventive measures and enhanced cooperation between littoral states to curb the growing piracy threats.

The rise in violence underscores a pressing question: How can global efforts strengthen maritime security in the face of escalating piracy?