Business

MPA cautions Singapore-registered ships while operating off Coast of West Africa

MPA strongly recommends the ships to take necessary precautions to ensure safety and security when operating in the region following piracy and hijacking incidents.

Published

3 years ago

August 3, 2023

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (3 August) issued Shipping Circular No 9 of 2023 which outlines its precautions to Singapore-registered shipowners, managers and masters on ongoing security concerns for ships operating off the coast of West Africa, including the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) due to piracy and hijacking incidents:

ADVISORY FOR SINGAPORE-REGISTERED SHIPS OPERATING OFF THE COAST OF WEST AFRICA INCLUDING THE GULF OF GUINEA

This shipping circular supersedes Shipping Circular No. 6 of 2018.

There have been ongoing security concerns for ships operating off the coast of West Africa, including the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) due to piracy and hijacking incidents. While piracy attacks typically occur within 200 nautical miles from the Coast, two recent pirate attacks in November 2022 and April 2023 respectively were found to have occurred more than 200 nautical miles from the coast of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. Piracy thus continues to pose a threat and the modus operandi are constantly evolving.

To counter this threat, MPA strongly recommends that Singapore-registered ships take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety and security when operating in the region:

maintain vigilance and proper lookout, taking into account the evolving trends and the perpetrators’ modus operandi;
review their Ship Security Assessment and Ship Security Plan including regular planned testing of Ship Security Alert System and security drills;
register with the Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade – Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG) when entering and transiting the voluntary reporting area as per the UKHO chart Q6114 and SHOM chart 8801CSD. The MDAT-GoG can be contacted by phone at +33 2 9822 8888 or by email to [email protected] or via website https://gog- mdat.org/home ;
report all pirate and hijacking activities promptly, including both actual and attempted attacks, as well as suspicious sightings, to the Singapore Registry of Ships 24/7 hotline at +65 6225 5777 and email [email protected], local authorities and the MDAT-GoG;
implement the guidelines contained in the Best Management Practices West Africa , published by industry organisations and supported by government and military organisations to help mariners detect, deter and delay external threats, when operating in the region.

Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to the Singapore Ship Registry at [email protected].

Manifold Times previously reported MPA confirming Singaporean-registered oil tanker Success 9 was boarded by pirates on 10 April.

The tanker was boarded by unidentified persons at about 300 nautical miles off the Abidjan Coast, Cote d’lvoire at about 10 pm (Singapore time).

Later, Manifold Times reported Success 9 was located off the coast of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and all crew members including a Singaporean crew were safe and in good health.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 3 August, 2023

Related Topics:Country/region - Asia (Singapore)Legal - Crime Others - Incident Others - Safety

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Singapore: Liquidator of Selco (Shipyard) Pte Limited issues notice of dividend

Fifth and final dividend to admitted creditors of Selco (Shipyard) is payable from 13 July, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

23 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Admin

A notice of dividend for Selco (Shipyard) Pte Limited, which is currently in compulsory liquidation, was published on the Government Gazette on Friday (10 July).

The following are the details of the notice:

Name of Company : Selco (Shipyard) Pte Limited (In Compulsory Liquidation) Co. Reg. No. 196800580K
Address of Registered Office : 7 Straits View, Marina One East Tower, Level 12, Singapore 018936
Court : High Court of the Republic of Singapore
Number of Matter : Companies Winding Up No.: 125 of 1986
Amount per centum : 0.499 cents to a dollar
First and final or otherwise : Fifth and final dividend
When payable : From 13th day of July 2026
Where payable : c/o PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services Pte Ltd, 7 Straits View, Marina One East Tower, Level 12, Singapore 018936

Photo credit: Benjamin Child
Published: 13 July, 2026

Business

MPA: IMO adopts Singapore-led resolution on protecting vital shipping lanes

Backed by 30 Member States, the resolution reaffirms the importance of upholding and respecting navigational rights and freedoms for commercial ships when transiting through vital shipping lanes.

Published

23 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Admin

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a Singapore-led resolution on the protection of vital shipping lanes at the 137th Session of the IMO Council, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (10 July).

Co-sponsored by 30 Member States, including Indonesia and Malaysia, the resolution reaffirms the importance of upholding and respecting navigational rights and freedoms for commercial ships when transiting through vital shipping lanes, including straits used for international navigation, in accordance with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“It also reaffirms the importance of abiding by the regulations and standards adopted by the IMO,” MPA said in a statement.

“The resolution also highlights the important role of the IMO in promoting a stable, predictable, and rules-based maritime order. It underscores the importance of international cooperation, dialogue, and collective responsibility in keeping vital sea lanes open, secure, and accessible.”

The resolution further highlights the importance of safeguarding the safety, health, and well-being of seafarers who play an indispensable role in global supply chains.

“As an open and trade-dependent economy, Singapore supports a stable, rules-based international order to ensure uninterrupted global trade, resilient supply chains, and food and energy security,” MPA added,.

“The resolution reflects Singapore’s longstanding commitment to upholding international law, and to safeguarding an open, stable and predictable maritime environment.”

Photo credit: Swapnil Bapat on Unsplash
Published: 13 July, 2026

Vessel Arrest

Malaysia: MMEA detains tugboat with undocumented 10,000 litres of diesel in Kuala Langat

Inspection found MYR 5,000 in cash on the vessel and 10,000 litres of diesel, of which the skipper failed to present any document or permit authorising the transport of the diesel fuel.

Published

23 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Admin

Malaysia: MMEA detains tugboat with undocumented 10,000 litres of diesel in Kuala Langat

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Friday (10 July) said it detained a tugboat during an enforcement operation in Selangor waters.

Selangor MMEA director Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the vessel was detained at about 6.35am at about 4.7 nautical miles 0.1 nautical miles from the estuary of Sungai Langat, Kuala Langat.

He said the initial inspection found that the vessel in question was operated by a 44-year-old skipper along with a 23-year-old crew member, both Indonesian nationals.

Further inspection found that the vessel did not have a mandatory insurance coverage, including the Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC).

“Inspection also found 10,000 litres of diesel and MYR 5,000 in cash on the vessel,” he said.

“The skipper also failed to present any document or permit authorising the transport of the diesel fuel, raising suspicions regarding the ownership of the controlled items.”

The tugboat and both crew members were brought to the Pulau Indah Marine Police Force jetty before they were handed over to the Selangor MMEA for further action.

He added that the case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Control of Supplies Act 1961, and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 13 July, 2026