A robbery has been reported aboard a Singapore-flagged Bulk Carrier while underway in the Phillip Channel, Singapore Strait. Up to five illegal boarders armed with knives were discovered in the engine room by duty crew. The robbers fled when discovered. All crew are reported safe. Some items of ship's properties, and various personal belongings, have been reported stolen. The vessel continued her voyage and did not require any assistance.
This is the twenty-eighth incident reported within the vicinity of the Singapore & Malacca Straits since the beginning of the year; the second in May.
Eight similar incidents were reported in April, in which property was stolen aboard five of the vessels, including scrap metal and engine parts. All but two of the incidents occurred while vessels were underway. In most cases, robbers were discovered by duty crew in or near the vessels' engine room, and armed with knives.
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