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International Cooperation Department
Tel.: (+86-21) 65853850-8034
Fax: (+86-21) 65373125
E-mail: ICDept@sisi-smu.org
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International Shipping |
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| Armed piracy surges in Singapore Strait, bulkers hit |
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Date:2025-05-14 Readers:
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ACTS of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Singapore surged almost fourfold in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, reports Hong Kong's South China Morning Post.
Vessels transiting through the Singapore Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping routes, reported 27 incidents between January and March 2025, according to the International Maritime Bureau - up from just seven during the same period in 2024.
While most incidents were considered "low-level opportunistic crimes", the bureau said crew members were at great risk with guns reported in 14 cases, more than half the total of 26 firearm-related cases recorded globally in 2024.
"Ninety-two per cent of all vessels targeted in the Singapore Strait were successfully boarded, including nine bulk carriers and tankers over 100,000 dwt.
Michael Howlett said the rise of reported incidents in the Singapore Strait, which separates the city state from Indonesia's Riau Islands, was "concerning, highlighting the urgent need to protect the safety of seafarers navigating these waters".
"Ensuring the security of these vital routes is essential and all necessary measures must be taken to safeguard crew members," he said.
The sharp increase had contributed to a rise in global piracy and armed robbery cases during the same period, the bureau said.
"A total of 45 cases of piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded in the first three months of 2025 - an almost 35 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024," it said.
The London-based bureau, which is part of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce, said 33 incidents were reported globally in the same period last year and 27 in the first quarter of 2023.
https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9250500000330
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