11 Feb 2020 | 11:14 AM UTC
Singapore: Pirate attacks reported in Singapore Strait February 9
Pirates target a bulk carrier and a tanker in Singapore Strait February 9; further piracy incidents possible in the near term
Event
Pirates attacked a bulk carrier and a tanker in the space of an hour in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme of the Singapore Strait on Sunday, February 9. According to the Information Sharing Centre (ISC), there was no confrontation between the pirates and the crew, though pirates did plunder engine spares.
As of Tuesday, February 11, the assailants remain at large. An investigation is ongoing.
Further piracy incidents possible in the near term.
Context
A total of six pirate incidents have been reported in the Singapore Straits in 2020, all of them taking place in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme in the Singapore Strait.
Advice
Ships sailing through the Singapore Strait and through the eastbound lane especially, are advised to exercise utmost vigilance, adopt extra precautionary measures, and report all incidents to the nearest coastal state.
