Deputy Commander MARSEC Command of the Republic of Singapore Navy, COL Bertram Ang, spoke as a panelist in ReCAAP ISC's Nautical Forum held on 9 Jan 2026.
During the panel discussion, COL Ang acknowledged that while sea robberies in SOMS continued to pose risks, they remained petty theft in nature and were largely non-confrontational. He also highlighted that technology, including the use of drones, is an enabler to enhance surveillance and accelerate information flow. However, he reminded the audience that the decisive factor in achieving successful outcomes lies in the shipping community's timely reporting and provision of useful evidence (eg. CCTV footage), which enables arrests and prosecution on land.
COL Ang concluded by reiterating the importance of regional cooperation between enforcement agencies and the shipping community, and reaffirmed RSN's commitment to working closely with all stakeholders through proactive operations and initiatives to reduce the number of sea robbery incidents and to keep our seas safe.