IMO Piracy Report: Twenty five incidents during May 2025
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published its Monthly Piracy Report for the month of May 2025.
Twenty five acts of piracy and armed robbery were attempted against ships during the month of April 2025 and reported by Member States or international organizations in consultative status. Some of the incidents include:
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Powan (Bulk carrier, Hong Kong, China)
The incident: Duty crew on routine rounds onboard the drifting ship noticed padlocks for steering gear room and other engine room access broken. Alarm raised, crew mustered, and a search was carried out. On investigating, CCTV footage indicated three unauthorised persons entering the steering gear room and escaping with ship’s engine spares.
Response: Alarm raised, crew mustered, and a search was carried out. Indonesia PRC relayed the message to Indonesian Marine Police HQ. (IMBKL)
Location: Around 12nm North of Jakarta Port, Indonesia Indonesia 05° 52.59′ S 106° 48.40′ E
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S M A (Chemical tanker, Cook Islands)
The incident: While underway, four perpetrators holding unknown objects were sighted on deck and in the engine room. The emergency general alarm was raised, and the crew conducted a search with no perpetrators found onboard. The master confirmed there was no confrontation with the perpetrators, but the 3rd Engineer and one AB suffered minor hand injuries in the darkness. Engine spare parts were reported stolen.
Response: The incident was reported to Singapore VTIS.
Location: Approximately 4.8 nm off Pulau Cula (Indonesia), in the eastbound lane of the TSS Indonesia 01° 03.27′ N 103° 37.95′ E
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Culture (Tanker, Marshall Islands)
The incident: While underway, five perpetrators were sighted on deck. The master immediately raised the general alarm, and the crew mustered for safety. Upon realising the crew was alerted, the perpetrators escaped immediately. The crew was not injured and nothing was stolen.
Response: The incident was reported to Singapore VTIS.
Location: Approximately 6 nm off Pulau Cula (Indonesia), in the eastbound lane of the TSS Indonesia 01° 03.77′ N 103° 36.84′ E
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SW Legend (Bulk carrier, Panama)
The incident: While underway, two perpetrators were sighted at the port quarter of the stern deck. The master immediately raised the general alarm, switched on the deck lights and the crew mustered for safety. Upon realising the crew was alerted, the perpetrators escaped immediately. A security search was conducted with no perpetrators found onboard. The crew was not injured and nothing was stolen.
Response: The incident was reported to Singapore VTIS.
Location: Approximately 5.1 nm off Pulau Cula (Indonesia), in the eastbound lane of the TSS Indonesia 01° 07.00′ N 103° 45.00′ E
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Elm Galaxy (Chemical tanker, Panama)
The incident: Duty crew onboard a tanker underway noticed two unauthorised persons attempting to open the poop deck rope store hatch cover. Alarm raised, crew mustered and deck lights switched on. Seeing the crew alertness, the persons escaped without stealing anything. Incident reported to Singapore VTIS.
Response: The incident was reported to Singapore VTIS.
Location: Singapore Straits, Indonesia 01° 05.36′ N 103° 35.22′ E
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Virgo (Bulk carrier, Marshall Islands)
The incident: Five robbers armed with guns boarded a ship underway. They entered the engine room and threatened two crew, stole engine spares, and escaped. Master was informed, PA announcement made, crew mustered and VTIS notified. On anchoring, Singapore Police Coast Guard boarded the ship for investigation.
Response: The incident was reported to Singapore VTIS.PRC relayed the message to Indonesian Marine Police HQ and Singapore Police Coast Guard. (IMBKL)
Location: Singapore Straits, Indonesia 01° 08.30′ N 103° 28.79′ E
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Jin Hwa 45/Jin Hwa 37 (Tug, Malaysia)
The incident: Three unauthorised individuals boarded the barge (JIN HWA 37, Malaysia, GT: 1434) under tow, stole the barge’s properties and stores and escaped.
Response: PRC relayed the message to Indonesian Marine Police HQ & Singapore Police Coast Guard (IMBKL)
Location: Singapore Straits, Indonesia 01° 07.57′ N 103° 30.70′ E
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