Six Ships Attacked Within 5 Days In Singapore Strait As Cases Triple Since 2024

Bulk Carrier — Image for representation purposes only

Six ships sailing through the Singapore Strait were attacked by robbers over a five-day span in May.

The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) reported that the incidents took place between May 2 and May 7 in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), near the western part of the strait around the Phillip Channel.

All incidents happened in the early morning hours, between 2:45 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.

This sudden spree of six robberies has raised the total number of incidents reported in the Singapore Strait in 2025 to 50, more than triple the 14 incidents recorded during the same period in 2024.

ReCAAP, which marked its 20th anniversary this year, said it is worried about the sharp increase in incidents and warned that more attacks could happen if no action is taken.

On May 7 alone, three ships were targeted within just one hour and 15 minutes. Two other vessels were attacked within a span of three and a half hours on May 2. Another incident was recorded on May 5. All attacks happened while the vessels were underway.

The targeted vessels include chemical tankers Elm Galaxy (IMO: 9331256) and S M A (IMO: 9273002), product tanker Culture (IMO: 9333254), and bulk carriers SW Legend (IMO: 9984170), Virgo (IMO: 9650925), and Hui Shun No. 1 (IMO: 9515670).

These vessels are managed by different owners from the UAE, Greece, and other nations.

The number of robbers varied from a lone intruder on Elm Galaxy to a group of five on board S M A. In most cases, the robbers avoided direct contact with the crew and fled when spotted. However, ReCAAP reported that the threat is increasing, as some of the intruders were seen carrying weapons.

Onboard the Greek-owned bulker Virgo, two out of five intruders appeared to be armed with guns. On Hui Shun No. 1, two men were seen carrying knives during the May 7 attack.

Despite the presence of weapons, no crew members were harmed in any of the six cases. Only two ships, S M A and Elm Galaxy, reported the theft of engine spare parts. The other four did not report anything stolen.

ReCAAP clarified that it only monitors and coordinates, without any enforcement power. It has urged the countries along the strait to increase patrols and improve surveillance in the area.

The organisation also discussed the importance of prompt responses to incident reports, enhanced coordination, and stronger information sharing between countries.

For vessels transiting the strait, ReCAAP has recommended extra vigilance and continuous lookouts, particularly during nighttime hours when most of the robberies have taken place.

The Singapore and Malacca straits remain high-risk areas for piracy and sea robbery. Out of the 58 incidents recorded across Southeast Asia in 2025 so far, 50 occurred in and around the Singapore Strait, making it a significant hotspot for maritime crime.

Reference: ReCAAP

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