Singapore Strait armed robbery wave continues into 2025
A spike in armed robbery cases was registered in the latter months of 2024
Seven incidents of armed robbery against vessels in either the Strait of Malacca or Singapore Strait have been reported to the Regional Co-operation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery
SEVEN incidents of armed robbery on vessels transiting the Strait of Malacca and Singapore Strait (SOMS) have been reported so far in January 2025.
Figures from the Regional Co-operation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery (ReCAAP), which documents cases of maritime crime in Asia, included three cases reported only last week, involving two bulk carriers and a general cargoship.
Cases of armed robbery against ships transiting the SOMS began to climb in the last quarter of 2024, with 27 cases reported to ReCAAP, compared with just seven during the same period in 2023.
ReCAAP’s annual report showed cases of piracy and armed robbery reported to the organisation remained flat in 2024, decreasing by just 2% on 2023.
But the late surge in cases has continued into 2025. Three more cases have been reported already in January 2025 versus the same month last year. Although most cases did not result in injury to the crew, in four of the seven cases the perpetrators were carrying guns or “gun-like objects”.
The vast majority of incidents in 2024 happened in the eastbound lane of the traffic separation scheme in operation in the straits. A particular area of concern is off Pulau Cula, Indonesia, ReCAAP said in its annual report, with 45 of the 62 incidents reported in 2024 taking place in that small area.
Most striking is the fact that 82% of incidents reported in the straits in 2024 occurred on bulk carriers.
ReCAAP said the expansive decks and accessible holds make bulkers an easier target for would-be robbers, as opposed to say tankers which have more secure cargo holds. Their slower speeds and smaller crews also makes them softer targets, the organisation said, with large carriers unable to evade the small and nimble craft that perpetrators use.