'No immediate threat' to ships in Straits of Malacca and Singapore: MPA
SINGAPORE — In light of China raising its security warning to the highest level for its vessels heading through the Straits of Malacca, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Friday (6 July) that it has not received any information on immediate threats to ships.
As such, it will maintain the current security level one in accordance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
“(MPA) has not received any information on immediate threats to ships transiting the Straits of Malacca and Singapore or to Singapore-registered ships,” it said in a response to media queries.
“The Port of Singapore will maintain the current security level one as per the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and Singapore’s security agencies will continue to be vigilant.
“Regardless of the security level, all ships transiting the Straits of Malacca and Singapore are advised to be vigilant and implement the relevant security measures as per ISPS ships security plan.”
On Tuesday, China’s Transport Ministry issued an advisory to Chinese-flagged ships to take heightened security steps and increased its security warning to level three, according to a Bloomberg report.
This is the highest security level in Chinese shipping regulations, and one above a warning issued after recent attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East.
MPA added in its media statement that it will closely monitor the situation and provide updates to ships traversing the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, as well as Singapore-registered ships.
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