Three piracy incidents recorded in Singapore Strait over five-day period in November

The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against ships in Asia (ReCAAP) has reported the occurrence of three actual incidents of piracy in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the eastern sector of the Singapore Strait during the period covering November 23-27, 2019.

The first incident occurred at 05:22 local time on November 23 when the bulk carrier Faye was boarded by five perpetrators armed with long knives. The incident ended with no confrontation and with no items being stolen.

The second incident involved the tug Harbour Libra and the barge Harbour Voyager at 03:00 local time the following day. Two perpetrators came on board and stole a twist lock and some ropes but inflicted no injuries on the crew.

The last incident occurred at 05:48 local time on November 27 when the bulk carrier KMAX Evdokia was boarded by five assailants, at least one of whom was brandishing a knife. No injuries or stolen items were reported though one of the crew had been held at knifepoint by the perpetrators before they left the vessel.

These three incidents raise to seven the total number of piracy incidents, both actual and attempted, in the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait during the period covering September to November 2019.