Tanker Crew Stabbed Repeatedly, Another Tied Up During Violent Piracy Attack In Singapore Strait

A crew member was stabbed during a violent piracy attack in the Singapore Strait on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. According to Ambrey, a maritime security firm, two pirates boarded a tanker sailing eastbound through the Phillip Channel.

Armed with knives, the attackers repeatedly stabbed one of the crew members before fleeing. The critically injured crew member was taken ashore and hospitalised. Authorities have not yet confirmed the incident.

While most piracy attacks in the Singapore Strait are focused on stealing spare parts or equipment from vessels, this case involved violence against the crew.

Usually, pirates are armed with knives and leave quickly when confronted. However, the rising violence in the region is becoming a concern.

ReCAAP, an organisation focused on combating piracy in Asia, has reported a growing number of attacks in 2024. As of now, there have been 86 incidents and 10 attempted robberies, compared to 100 incidents in all of 2023.

This year, 17 of those incidents involved crews being threatened, held hostage, or injured which is a significant increase from the nine similar reports in 2023.

In the week from December 3 to 9, 2024, four piracy incidents were reported in Asia. Three of these occurred in the Singapore Strait. One incident took place on December 7 and another on December 9 both involving pirates boarding vessels while they were underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS).

Although no injuries were reported in these incidents, the attacks are still a serious concern.

Another piracy incident occurred on December 3, 2024, in Belawan port, Indonesia, where pirates boarded a general cargo ship while it was docked. The attackers tied up a crew member and stole engine spare parts.

The Singapore Strait remains one of the most dangerous areas for piracy. Since January 2024, ReCAAP has reported 57 incidents in the Singapore Strait and one in the Malacca Strait.

As a result, ReCAAP has issued a warning for ships to exercise enhanced vigilance when transiting these straits. The organisation also urged littoral states to increase patrols and enforcement to combat piracy.

Alongside this, the Philippine government has been actively addressing piracy issues in the Sulu-Celebes Seas, by conducting military operations that have dismantled the Abu Sayyaf Group’s support base.

As a result of these efforts, the Philippine Coast Guard downgraded the threat level of “Abduction of crew for ransom” in the Sulu-Celebes Seas from “Moderate” to “Moderate Low.”

This means that incidents of abduction are unlikely, but minimal damages are still expected in case of an attack.

Despite this, ReCAAP continues to advise ship crews to exercise vigilance in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report all piracy incidents to local authorities.

Ships are encouraged to adopt preventive measures and follow the guidance provided by ReCAAP to help reduce the risks of piracy in the region.

Reference: ReCAAP