IFC Annual Report 2023: 58 incidents of theft, robbery and piracy at sea in Singapore Strait

The Information Fusion Centre (IFC), a regional Maritime Security centre hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy, on Saturday (17 February) released its annual report and infographic for 2023. 

The report and infographic covers Theft, Robbery and Piracy At Sea (TRAPS), Maritime Incidents and Contraband Smuggling, Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported Fishing, Irregular Human Migration, Environmental Security and Cyber Security. 

According to the report, IFC recorded 58 incidents of TRAPS in the Singapore Strait, which remains the main area of concern but it noted there was a notable 47% decrease in incidents in the second half of 2023.

“The 58 incidents recorded in 2023 is higher than 2022 (55) and 2021 (49), and is a continuing trend possibly due to the current slow economic recovery and the rising cost of living, prompting more locals to resort to petty theft,” IFC said in the report. 

Most of the incidents occurred in the Phillip Channel (34 Incidents), mainly Northeast of Karimun Besar Island and Northwest of Kepalajernih Island, where vessels have been known to decrease speed significantly when turning. The other area of concern is waters off Bintan and Batam islands (12 incidents). It is assessed that increased enforcement efforts by regional authorities in the waters off Bintan and Batam islands have caused perpetrators to shift their operations to the Phillip Channel.

Notably, the number of incidents in Singapore Strait fell by 47% in the second half of the year, assessed due to the overall stepped-up enforcement efforts by regional authorities. Particularly, a successful land operation mounted by Indonesian authorities in October led to the arrest of several members of a suspected sea robbery syndicate; following this, there was only 1 incident reported in November and December combined.

According to the report, bulk carriers were the most frequently targeted vessel types in the Singapore Strait, accounting for 69% of the incidents, followed by tugs and barges, and tankers making up 19% and 12% of the incidents respectively. 

“This is due to their slower speed (7 to 12 knots), and lower freeboard (less than 8m). Stolen Items include engine spare parts and small tools (bulk carriers and tankers), and scrap metal (tugs and barges),” IFC added.

Recent investigations by Indonesian authorities have also revealed that perpetrators have become more tech-savvy, making use of commercially available online applications in their handphones to select suitable targets (using AIS information to identify vessel type and speed) to increase chances of success.

IFC said the report and infographic are co-developed by its International Liaison Officers (ILO), with insights and data collected over the past years, covering IFC’s 8 MARSEC categories within the IFC Area of Interest (AOI).

Note: Information Fusion Centre’s Annual Report 2023 and infographic can be downloaded here.

Photo credit: Information Fusion Centre
Published: 20 February, 2024