Commercial vessels in Singapore waters during the evening hours. Photo by Christoph Theisinger on Unsplash
Thomas Timlen, Risk Intelligence Senior Analyst, highlights the risks to seafarers following recent Singapore Strait robberies in his latest contribution to Seatrade Maritime.
Published on 11 November 2026, the article highlights three recent vessel boardings in the Singapore Strait, including one incident in which a crew member was injured.
Timlen noted that while the frequency of boardings has declined, seafarers remain vulnerable to injury when armed perpetrators board vessels. He highlighted Risk Intelligence's analysis showing that 54% of Singapore Strait vessel boardings in 2026 involved perpetrators visibly carrying arms, while many more were likely armed with concealed weapons.
Referring to previous incidents involving injuries to crew members, Timlen emphasised that although such injuries are rare, they can be significant. He therefore recommended adhering to IMO piracy guidelines advising against confrontation with perpetrators once they have boarded.
Read the full article on Seatrade Maritime.
📌 For further insights into maritime security developments in Asia, including trends in Singapore Strait vessel boardings, read our previous quarterly reviews published by Seatrade Maritime:
- Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q3 – Theft and armed robbery trending downward
- Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q2 – sanctions enforcement, insurgency, and armed robberies
- Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q1 2026 – Fewer boardings and sanctions enforcement
- Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q4 2025 - smuggling and ship boardings
- Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q3 2025 - Singapore Strait vessel boardings nosedive
- Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q2 2025 - Sharp rise of Singapore Strait boardings raise concerns
- Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q3 2024 – hijacking returns and AIS spoofing
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