Crew injured in Singapore Strait tanker boarding amid surge in armed robberies
A crew member was injured in an unauthorised boarding of chemical tanker Basset near Singapore
Authorities are assisting the vessel, while maritime officials urge heightened vigilance as armed robbery cases against ships in the Singapore Strait have nearly tripled from the year-ago period
A CREW member was injured in an unauthorised boarding today involving the chemical tanker Basset (IMO: 9858060) in waters off Singapore.
The incident comes as armed robbery against ships in the Strait of Malacca and Singapore Strait has surged sharply since the start of the year, sparking safety concerns.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said in a statement the incident occurred around 0700 hrs local time, outside of Singapore’s territorial waters.
The 49,875 dwt vessel is anchored in Singapore waters and the Singapore Police Coast Guard and Singapore Civil Defence Force have been activated to provide assistance.
“Medical evacuation of the injured crew is underway,” the MPA said, adding all crew are accounted for and safety of navigation along the Singapore Strait is not affected.
Lloyd’s List Intelligence data shows the Singapore-flagged tanker departed Tanjong Bin, Malaysia on February 27, before arriving at the Singapore South Anchorage.
Basset had previously experienced another unauthorised boarding in the Singapore Strait in April 2021, with the perpetrators escaping after hearing alarms, without any injuries reported at the time.
The MPA said it has issued safety broadcasts for vessels to maintain vigilant watch.
The identities of the boarders were not disclosed, but such incidents in the region are often linked to armed robbery and piracy.
The Singapore-based Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (Recaap) recently reported two incidents earlier this month in the Singapore Strait.
The general cargoship Pelicana (IMO: 9401790) and dry bulker Cycladic Spire (IMO: 9609330) were boarded by perpetrators with knives and gun-like objects on February 16 and 22 respectively. No injuries were reported, but items including engine spares were stolen.
The two incidents brought the number of incidents reported to Recaap up to 17 since January 2025, close to triple the number in the same period in 2024, the organisation said in a weekly report published earlier this week.
“[We are] concerned with the increase of incidents in the [Singapore Straits], and advises ships to exercise enhanced vigilance,” it said.
