Surge in Maritime Incidents: Six Vessels Targeted in the Singapore Strait Amid Rising Threats Since 2024

In May, a series of robberies targeted six ships navigating the Singapore Strait over just five days.According to the Regional cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), these incidents unfolded between May 2 and May 7, primarily in the early morning hours.

This alarming spike has pushed the total number of reported incidents in this region for 2025 to a staggering 50—up from only 14 during the same timeframe last year. ReCAAP,celebrating its two-decade milestone this year,expressed serious concerns about this trend and cautioned that without intervention,more attacks could follow.

on one notably busy day—May 7—three vessels where hit within a mere hour and fifteen minutes. Earlier that week on May 2, two ships faced similar fates within three and a half hours. Another incident was logged on may 5 as well. Notably, all attacks occurred while these vessels were actively sailing.

Among those targeted were various types of ships including chemical tankers like Elm Galaxy and S M A; product tanker Culture; along with bulk carriers such as SW Legend, Virgo, and Hui Shun No.1—all managed by owners from countries like Greece and the UAE.

The number of assailants varied substantially—from a single thief aboard Elm Galaxy to five robbers attacking S M A. Most intruders opted for stealth over confrontation with crew members but some displayed weapons during their escapades—a worrying trend noted by recaap.As an example, aboard Virgo—a Greek-owned bulk carrier—two out of five attackers appeared armed with firearms while two men brandishing knives were spotted during an attack on Hui Shun No.1 on May 7th. Fortunately, no crew members sustained injuries throughout these encounters; though, S M A and Elm Galaxy did report thefts involving engine spare parts while others claimed nothing was taken.It’s important to note that ReCAAP’s role is primarily observational—they don’t have enforcement capabilities but do coordinate efforts among member nations to combat piracy effectively.They’ve called upon countries bordering the strait to ramp up patrols and enhance surveillance measures in response to these rising threats.

Moreover, they emphasized how crucial it is for nations involved to respond quickly when incidents are reported while also improving facts sharing across borders for better coordination against maritime crime.

For those navigating through this strait regionally or internationally? Extra caution is advised! Keeping vigilant watch at night is especially critical as most robberies occur under cover of darkness.

The Singapore Strait—and its neighboring Malacca Strait—remains notorious as high-risk zones for piracy-related activities. Out of all recorded maritime crimes across Southeast Asia so far in 2025 (58 total), an overwhelming majority took place right here in or around Singapore strait—a clear indicator that it’s become a hotspot for such illegal activities.