The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) has warned of further Singapore Strait robberies after three merchant ships were boarded between 2 and 10 November 2026. One seafarer was injured, while engine spare parts were stolen from two vessels.
In an incident alert issued on 11 November, ReCAAP ISC reported that all three incidents occurred in the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). The boarding locations were concentrated within approximately 3.2 nautical miles of one another.
The affected vessels were the bulk carriers Star Calypso and APJ Priti 2, and the tanker Salsa. All three incidents occurred during nighttime passages while the vessels were underway.
The first attack occurred at 21:25 on 2 November aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Star Calypso, approximately 9.7 nautical miles from Pulau Cula, Indonesia.
According to details reported by Baird Maritime, three intruders carrying an object resembling a firearm were discovered in the vessel’s engine-room workshop. A crew member was tied up and sustained a minor hand injury. The intruders escaped with engine spare parts.
On 4 November, at 23:35, seven to eight unarmed intruders were sighted on the poop deck of the Indian-flagged bulk carrier APJ Priti 2. No injuries or thefts were reported.
The third boarding occurred aboard the tanker Salsa in the early hours of 10 November. Engine spare parts were stolen, but no crew injuries were reported.
Both bulk carriers reported their incidents to Singapore’s Vessel Traffic Information System. According to Baird Maritime, the Singapore Police Coast Guard subsequently boarded the vessels at anchor to investigate, and information was shared with Indonesian authorities.
The three November cases raised the total number of reported sea robbery incidents involving ships underway in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) to 28 between 1 January and 11 November 2026.
ReCAAP ISC said the latest incidents represented a renewed increase in reported robberies following a substantial decline during the first ten months of the year. The organisation warned that additional incidents could occur in the area.
The centre urged coastal authorities to increase patrols and surveillance, respond quickly to reports from vessels and strengthen coordination and intelligence sharing to help identify and apprehend perpetrators.
For vessels transiting the affected waters, ReCAAP ISC recommended maintaining a continuous lookout, particularly during hours of darkness, and strengthening onboard precautions. These include CCTV coverage of locations vulnerable to unauthorised boarding.
Shipmasters were also advised to report incidents promptly to the nearest coastal state and their flag state, including through the ReCAAP ISC mobile application.
Separately, the organisation recommended using its Re-VAMP interactive dashboard to review incident locations and other available information when conducting security risk assessments and planning voyages through the straits.
