Shipowners have been warned to take precautions after a pirate gang struck again in the Singapore Strait.
Maritime security and intelligence company Ambrey Analytics reported two incidents of armed raiders boarding bulkers in the Phillip Channel off Indonesia.
The latest incident on 21 January saw a Singapore-flagged vessel targeted by six individuals while transiting eastbound 10 nautical miles (18.5 km) south of Singapore’s Tuas South, in Indonesia waters.
The suspects were reportedly armed with bladed weapons and a “gun-like” object, Ambrey said.
“During the incident, the vessel was underway at 12.3 knots,” it added.
The bulker was able to continue its journey, but it was not clear what was taken from the ship.
No injuries to crew members were reported.
Ambrey said the same number of pirates of a similar description boarded a different bulker 73 hours before this.
This vessel was a Marshall Islands-flagged unit heading east past Belakang Padang Island, Indonesia.
The bulker was underway at 6.7 knots, with an estimated freeboard of 6.35 metres.
“Crews transiting the Singapore Strait with freeboards lower than 10 metres are advised they are at heightened risk. Crews should lock down access to the accommodation block and ship’s stores,” Ambrey said.
“It is recommended to carry out partnered deck patrols. Do not confront criminals,” the company added.
The new attacks came after a couple of boardings in the channel at the end of December and earlier in January.
On 8 January, Ambrey said four armed men got onto the deck of an unnamed Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, again while the vessel was transiting eastbound.(Copyright)
