A Singapore-flagged tanker was boarded by two individuals yesterday while transiting eastbound through the Phillip Channel of Singapore Strait, just northwest of Kapalajernih Island, Indonesia. The suspects were armed with bladed weapons. During the incident, the vessel was underway at 8.5 knots, with an estimated freeboard of 8.7 m. No casualties or damage to the vessel had been reported.
Crews transiting the Singapore Strait with freeboards lower than 10 m are advised by UK maritime security consultancy Ambrey they are at heightened risk. Crews should lock down access to the accommodation block and ship’s stores, Ambrey advised, and deck patrols should be done in twos.