Maritime Security Weekly: 30+ Pirates Target Singapore Straits as Shadow Fleet Collision Rocks Strait of Hormuz

Palaemon Maritime
Jun 30
3 min read

June 13-20, 2025 Maritime Security Summary

Vessel collison in the Straights of Hormouz

Last week delivered a stark reminder that maritime security threats are escalating across the world's most critical shipping lanes. From coordinated piracy attacks in Southeast Asia to a catastrophic collision involving Russia's shadow fleet, commercial vessels faced unprecedented challenges that demand immediate attention from fleet managers and security officers.

Singapore Straits Under Siege

The Singapore Straits experienced a week of relentless piracy activity, with over 30 armed pirates launching separate attacks against commercial vessels. The most brazen incident occurred when five knife-wielding robbers targeted the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Aanya, stealing ship properties in an attack that went completely unnoticed until routine CCTV review revealed the breach.

Key Singapore Straits Incidents:

Eight armed pirates infiltrated the engine room of chemical tanker Themir before fleeing when alarms sounded
$4,260 worth of critical safety equipment stolen from a Liberia-flagged container ship, including breathing apparatus and radio transceivers
Six knife-wielding thieves accessed the engine room of bulk carrier Greek Seas
Four to five pirates physically cut through concertina barbed wire on a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier, demonstrating the inadequacy of traditional security measures

The pattern is clear: pirates are specifically targeting engine rooms and exploiting gaps in vessel hardening. Most concerning is that several attacks went undetected during the actual boarding, only discovered later through security footage or routine inspections.

Shadow Fleet Disaster in Strait of Hormuz

One of the most dramatic incidents occurred when the Russian shadow fleet Suezmax tanker Adalynn collided with the fully loaded supertanker Front Eagle carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude oil. Both vessels caught fire in a spectacular blaze that experts attribute to navigational errors caused by GPS spoofing in the region.

This collision highlights the growing risks posed by uninsured, poorly maintained shadow fleet vessels operating in already dangerous waters. The incident coincided with Israeli airstrikes on Iranian port facilities and widespread GPS interference affecting multiple vessels in the Persian Gulf.

You can read our full in-depth report on this incident here: https://www.palaemonmaritime.com/post/when-ships-disappear-navigating-the-shadow-fleet-s-dangerous-game-on-the-high-seas

The Razor Wire Reality Check

Perhaps most telling was the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier incident where pirates simply cut through the concertina barbed wire to gain access. This real-world failure demonstrates what security professionals have long suspected—traditional perimeter defenses are inadequate against determined attackers.

When pirates can breach your primary security layer with basic tools, it's time to reassess your vessel protection strategy.

Vessels with Palaemon anti-piracy barriers have never been boarded. — Vessels with Palaemon's anti-piracy barriers have never been boarded by pirates

Regional Security Recommendations

Singapore Straits Transit:

Enhanced watchkeeping during night hours (most attacks occurred between 22:00-03:00 local time)
Engine room access control and monitoring
Regular CCTV review protocols
Crew mustering procedures when alarms sound

Persian Gulf Operations:

Backup navigation systems due to ongoing GPS interference
Enhanced communication with UKMTO watchkeepers
Contingency planning for electronic warfare scenarios

Looking Ahead

The maritime security landscape continues to deteriorate, with pirates becoming more sophisticated and geopolitical tensions creating additional navigation hazards. Traditional security measures are proving inadequate against evolving threats.

Fleet managers can no longer rely on hope and outdated protection methods. The question isn't whether your vessels will be targeted—it's whether they'll be adequately protected when that moment comes.

Concerned about your fleet's vulnerability? Our anti-piracy barriers have maintained a 100% success rate with zero successful boardings. Get your rental quote today.

About Palaemon Maritime

We provide hardware-as-a-service anti-piracy barrier rentals with full logistics support and global deployment capabilities. Our barriers are 90% more effective than razor wire, with zero successful boardings ever recorded.