Singapore Calls for International Collaboration to Combat Shadow Fleet Vessels

Singapore is calling for enhanced international cooperation to tackle the issue of shadow fleet vessels operating just outside its territorial waters. This comes as scrutiny intensifies on ships that are being used to evade sanctions.

Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow emphasized Singapore’s commitment to fully implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions. In a written reply to a parliamentary question on Wednesday, he stated, “Singapore does not condone illegal or deceptive activities by shadow fleet vessels.” He further noted that vessels engaged in illicit activities may be denied entry or detained in Singapore.

As the world’s largest bunkering hub, Singapore collaborates closely with neighboring countries to combat illicit maritime activities in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. This cooperation includes sharing information to support investigations and conducting coordinated patrols, as highlighted by Siow.

Singapore also plays a crucial role in monitoring vessel movements as one of the Vessel Traffic Service authorities for the mandatory ship-reporting system in the straits. This involves providing navigational information and reporting any breaches of International Maritime Organization conventions to the vessels’ flag states.

The Straits of Malacca and Singapore have emerged as critical areas in the global effort to police the dark fleet. Aging tankers, often carrying sanctioned oil, increasingly utilize this region for ship-to-ship transfers, which can obscure the origins of their cargo. The strategic location of these waterways—connecting Europe and the Middle East to East Asia—makes them vital transit routes, but also presents significant enforcement challenges.

Siow remarked, “This is an important and complex issue that the Singapore government pays close attention to. We will continue working closely with international partners to address these challenges effectively.”

Photograph: Illuminated bulk carriers sit offshore of Singapore as oil tanks on Sebarok Island in the background at dusk in Singapore, on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. Photo credit: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Singapore is calling for enhanced international cooperation to tackle the issue of shadow fleet vessels operating just outside its territorial waters. This comes as scrutiny intensifies on ships that are being used to evade sanctions.

Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow emphasized Singapore’s commitment to fully implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions. In a written reply to a parliamentary question on Wednesday, he stated, “Singapore does not condone illegal or deceptive activities by shadow fleet vessels.” He further noted that vessels engaged in illicit activities may be denied entry or detained in Singapore.

As the world’s largest bunkering hub, Singapore collaborates closely with neighboring countries to combat illicit maritime activities in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. This cooperation includes sharing information to support investigations and conducting coordinated patrols, as highlighted by Siow.

Singapore also plays a crucial role in monitoring vessel movements as one of the Vessel Traffic Service authorities for the mandatory ship-reporting system in the straits. This involves providing navigational information and reporting any breaches of International Maritime Organization conventions to the vessels’ flag states.

The Straits of Malacca and Singapore have emerged as critical areas in the global effort to police the dark fleet. Aging tankers, often carrying sanctioned oil, increasingly utilize this region for ship-to-ship transfers, which can obscure the origins of their cargo. The strategic location of these waterways—connecting Europe and the Middle East to East Asia—makes them vital transit routes, but also presents significant enforcement challenges.

Siow remarked, “This is an important and complex issue that the Singapore government pays close attention to. We will continue working closely with international partners to address these challenges effectively.”

Photograph: Illuminated bulk carriers sit offshore of Singapore as oil tanks on Sebarok Island in the background at dusk in Singapore, on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. Photo credit: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.