An attempted robbery has been reported aboard a Liberian-flagged Bulk Carrier while underway in the Eastbound Lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), Singapore Strait. Master reported to the Port Operations Control Center (POCC) of at least four illegal boarders armed with knives had been seen boarding the vessel. Crew were reported safe, vessel did not require assistance, and she continued on her passage to China.
This is the sixteenth incident reported within the vicinity of the Singapore & Malacca Straits since the beginning of the year; the fourth in March. Eight similar incidents were reported in February, in which property was stolen aboard six of the vessels, including scrap metal and engine parts. All incidents occurred while the vessel was underway. In most cases, robbers were discovered by duty crew in or near the vessels' engine room, and armed with knives or makeshift weapons.
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