What Crew Members Say About Torm-Elizabeth

In a significant law enforcement operation, authorities in the Riau Islands apprehended 11 suspects linked to a string of armed robberies targeting cargo vessels in the region's border waters since 2017. The arrests were executed by the Water and Air Police Directorate (Ditpolairud) of the Riau Islands Regional Police, fueled by intelligence from the community and the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) based in Singapore. The operation unfolded as the suspects were caught red-handed pilfering spare parts from the cargo ship 'Torm Elizabeth', which was traveling from Ras Tanura to Zhongjia near the Nipah and Phillips Straits in Karimun district. Here, vessels must reduce speed to between 0 and 5 knots, a tactic exploited by the criminals to launch their attacks on vulnerable ships. After receiving reports of unusual activities at sea, authorities increased surveillance and patrols, leading to a critical interception on July 9. Police stopped a boat equipped with a 72-horsepower Yamaha engine that was approaching the targeted vessel. Eight suspects on board were arrested, identified only by their initials: S, I, R, RH, Z, SD, MI, and LA. Early investigations revealed their method of operation—utilizing a 10-meter bamboo pole to hook onto the ropes of passing cargo ships, allowing them to easily board. Some suspects showed signs of extensive barefoot climbing, evident from the thick calluses on their feet. The gang primarily focused on stealing engine spare parts to resell in Jakarta, making as much as $6,000 from a single robbery. Subsequent inquiries resulted in the arrest of three additional suspects, one of whom, known as P, is believed to be the mastermind behind the operations. Another suspect, F, was apprehended with four packets of methamphetamine, while A was responsible for transporting the stolen goods to an accomplice named Y in Jakarta. The group cleverly utilized online ship-tracking services to identify slow-moving targets for their attacks. It was discovered that prior to their heists, they consumed methamphetamine to heighten their confidence and diminish their fear, which often prompted them to jump into the sea if pursued. During the arrest, while no firearms were found, investigators did uncover a homemade airsoft gun reportedly used as a tool of intimidation against crew members. There were suspicions that the gang had utilized homemade firearms in previous incidents, even though they were absent during this operation. In addition to the suspects, law enforcement seized a barge, three mobile phones, methamphetamine, an airsoft gun, and five boxes of stolen spare parts, which will serve as evidence against the perpetrators. They face a range of serious charges under Indonesian law, including aggravated theft under Article 363, dealing in stolen goods under Article 480, narcotics-related offenses under Articles 112 and 197, and criminal conspiracy under Article 55. Investigations have also unveiled the existence of three other piracy groups operating in the area, identified as Groups J, O, and JO, with some members being repeat offenders. Notably, suspect S has been linked to both Groups J and O previously. Alarmingly, the region reported 57 incidents of armed robbery in the first half of 2025 alone, nearly quadrupling the 15 cases from the same timeframe in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for ongoing maritime security efforts.

On July 9, 2025, at approximately 02:20 AM, the 'Torm Elizabeth', a vessel navigating the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme in the Singapore Strait, became the target of a theft. While en route from Ras Napur to Yantin, the ship was intercepted by a group of six assailants roughly 1.8 nautical miles away from Pulau Cula, at coordinates 1° 3.6' N 103° 41.32' E. The intruders managed to steal various stores from the vessel, raising concerns about maritime security in this busy shipping route.