Priority Broadcast Alert – Asia and Oceania

UPDATE01: Authorities revealed that six individuals reportedly armed with bladed weapons boarded the Hong-Kong flagged bulk carrier. The suspects were sighted by the crew at the port quarter of the upper deck. One crew member was subsequently found “tied up in the engine room”. No injuries were reported and all crew members were accounted for. Multiple engine spare parts were reported stolen. At the time of writing the bulk carrier was at the Eastern Special Purposes A Anchorage, Singapore. Local port authorities were informed of the incident and the bulk carrier did not require any assistance.

A Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier was boarded 2.3NM northwest of Pemping Island, Indonesia whilst transiting eastbound in the Philip Channel, Singapore Strait. The bulk carrier was enroute from the Port of South Louisiana, United States of America to Singapore. At the time of writing, the vessel was observed continuing its journey to Singapore. During the incident the vessel had an estimated freeboard of 12.85 metres and was underway at 4.4kts.
ADVICE: Crews transiting the Singapore Strait with freeboards lower than 10m are advised they are at heightened risk. Crews should lock down access to the accommodation block and ship’s stores. It is recommended to carry out partnered deck patrols. Do not confront criminals.