Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q2 - Sharp rise of Singapore Strait boardings raise concerns

Multiple vessels navigating the busy Singapore Strait, highlighting one of the world’s most active maritime trade routes. Image: Canva Pro

A recent article in Seatrade Maritime features insights from Risk Intelligence Senior Analyst Thomas Timlen on the evolving maritime security landscape in Southeast Asia in Q2 2025.

Published on 9 July 2025, the article highlights a 309% rise in vessel boardings in the Singapore Strait — with 45 incidents reported — now accounting for 85% of all regional incidents in the first half of the year. While other areas saw declines, the Singapore Strait’s steady increase breaks previous seasonal patterns — largely due to insufficient law enforcement in Indonesia’s waters. Bulk carriers remain the main targets, with container ship boardings reappearing after a decade. Though crew safety remains a concern, no hijackings or kidnappings for ransom have been reported in the wider region since 2020. Despite geopolitical tensions, innocent passage through the South China Sea is unaffected, and armed robbery and theft remain the primary threats in Southeast Asia.

Read the full article for more insights on Seatrade Maritime News.

📌 For more on this topic, read Thomas Timlen’s latest briefing on the continued rise in Singapore Strait boardings.

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