The same tug and barge were targeted by sea robbers on both the 16 and 17 March according to the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC).
The tug Bonspeed 10 towing the barge POE 2502 was boarded by robbers in the eastern approaches to the Singapore Strait on the morning of 16 March. A second incident took place on 17 March slightly more than 22 hours later in the precautionary in the west of the Singapore Strait.
In both incidents scrap metal was stolen, fortunately no crew members were injured.
Also, in the early hours of 16 March the Danum 70 towing the container barge Linau 135 was boarded by robbers in the westbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme. A gangway was stolen, and as with the other two incidents none of the crew were injured.
Unlike most other incidents seen this year in the Singapore Strait the three on 16 and 17 March were not the eastbound lane of Traffic Separation Scheme clustered around the Philip’s Channel area, rather they were located in the further reaches of the westbound lane.
There have been 27 incidents that have targeted vessels underway in the Singapore Strait up to 19 March raising concerns at the growing number of attacks by sea robbers in the busy sealane this year. There were nine incidents in the same period in 2024.
“The ReCAAP ISC urges the littoral States to increase patrols/surveillance in their respective waters, respond promptly to incidents reported by ships, strengthen coordination and promote information sharing on incidents and criminal groups involved to arrest the perpetrators,” ReCAAP said.
Vessels transiting the area were advised increase vigilance, keep a sharp lookout, and adopt preventative measures.
Source: seatrade-maritime.com
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