Singapore

Broadcast media

state controls broadcast media; 8 domestic TV stations operated by MediaCorp which is wholly owned by a state investment company; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV service available; a total of 18 domestic radio stations broadcasting with MediaCorp operating more than a dozen and another 4 stations are closely linked to the ruling party or controlled by the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association; many Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations are available

Internet country code

.sg

Internet users

total: 4.659 million | percent of population: 82.1% (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73

Telephone system

general assessment: excellent service | domestic: excellent domestic facilities; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity more than 180 telephones per 100 persons; multiple providers of high-speed Internet connectivity | international: country code - 65; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 4; supplemented by VSAT coverage (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 2,021,500 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 58

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 8.211 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 145 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92

Agriculture - products

orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish

Budget

revenues: $46.23 billion | expenditures: $44.48 billion | note: expenditures include both operational and development expenditures (2015 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.6% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 26

Central bank discount rate

0.25% (2014) | 0.07% (2013) | country comparison to the world: 136

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.35% (31 December 2015 est.) | 5.35% (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 138

Current account balance

$57.56 billion (2015 est.) | $53.18 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 10

Debt - external

$465.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $479.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 28

Distribution of family income - Gini index

46.4 (2014) | 46.3 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 32

Economy - overview

Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. Unemployment is very low. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly of consumer electronics, information technology products, medical and optical devices, pharmaceuticals, and on its vibrant transportation, business, and financial services sectors. | The economy contracted 0.6% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but has continued to grow since 2010 on the strength of renewed exports. Growth in 2014-15 was slower at under 3%, largely a result of soft demand for exports amid a sluggish global economy and weak growth in Singapore’s manufacturing sector. | The government is attempting to restructure Singapore’s economy by weaning its dependence on foreign labor, addressing weak productivity, and increasing Singaporean wages. Singapore has attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals and medical technology production and will continue efforts to strengthen its position as Southeast Asia's leading financial and high-tech hub. Singapore is a member of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations, as well as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership negotiations with the nine other ASEAN members plus Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. In 2015, Singapore formed, with the other ASEAN members, the ASEAN Economic Community.

Exchange rates

Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - | 1.3748 (2015 est.) | 1.2671 (2014 est.) | 1.2671 (2013 est.) | 1.25 (2012 est.) | 1.258 (2011 est.)

Exports

$377.1 billion (2015 est.) | $437.8 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 14

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment (including electronics and telecommunications), pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, refined petroleum products, foodstuffs and beverages

Exports - partners

China 13.7%, Hong Kong 11.5%, Malaysia 10.8%, Indonesia 8.2%, US 6.9%, Japan 4.4%, South Korea 4.1% (2015)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$292.7 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$471.9 billion (2015 est.) | $462.6 billion (2014 est.) | $448 billion (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 42

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 36.7% | government consumption: 10.4% | investment in fixed capital: 25.5% | investment in inventories: 0.5% | exports of goods and services: 176.5% | imports of goods and services: -149.6% (2015 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0% | industry: 26.4% | services: 73.6% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$85,300 (2015 est.) | $84,600 (2014 est.) | $83,000 (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 6

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2015 est.) | 3.3% (2014 est.) | 4.7% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137

Gross national saving

46.1% of GDP (2015 est.) | 46.4% of GDP (2014 est.) | 48.2% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 4

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.3% | highest 10%: 11% (2014)

Imports

$294.5 billion (2015 est.) | $358.2 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 16

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - partners

China 14.2%, US 11.2%, Malaysia 11.2%, Japan 6.3%, South Korea 6.1%, Indonesia 4.8% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

-3.4% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 183

Industries

electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences, entrepot trade

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.5% (2015 est.) | 1% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Labor force

3.611 million | note: excludes non-residents (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 1.3% | industry: 14.8% | services: 83.9% | note: excludes non-residents (2013)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$787.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $751.1 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $747.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 18

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

104.7% of GDP (2015 est.) | 99.8% of GDP (2014 est.) | note: Singapore's public debt consists largely of Singapore Government Securities (SGS) issued to assist the Central Provident Fund (CPF), which administers Singapore's defined contribution pension fund; special issues of SGS are held by the CPF, and are non-tradable; the government has not borrowed to finance deficit expenditures since the 1980s; Singapore has no external public debt | country comparison to the world: 13

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$247.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $256.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 12

Stock of broad money

$413.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $405.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 27

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$625.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $626.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 15

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$978.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $962.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 10

Stock of domestic credit

$344.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $372.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Stock of narrow money

$113.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $121.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Taxes and other revenues

15.8% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 194

Unemployment rate

1.9% (2015 est.) | 2% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 12

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

216 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 28

Crude oil - exports

11,100 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Crude oil - imports

895,400 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 13

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 191

Electricity - consumption

47.18 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 196

Electricity - from fossil fuels

95.3% of total installed capacity (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 68

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 181

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.9% of total installed capacity (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 63

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202

Electricity - installed generating capacity

13 million kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

Electricity - production

49.31 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

10.9 billion cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 47

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 181

Natural gas - imports

10.9 billion cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 27

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 128

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 195

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1.292 million bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 17

Refined petroleum products - exports

1.697 million bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 5

Refined petroleum products - imports

2.035 million bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 2

Refined petroleum products - production

1.02 million bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 22

Area

total: 697 sq km | land: 687 sq km | water: 10 sq km | country comparison to the world: 192

Area - comparative

slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - northeastern monsoon (December to March) and southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms

Coastline

193 km

Elevation

mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m | highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m

Environment - current issues

industrial pollution; limited natural freshwater resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution | signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

1 22 N, 103 48 E

Geography - note

focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 1% | arable land 0.9%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 0% | forest: 3.3% | other: 95.7% (2011 est.)

Location

Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 3 nm | exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

fish, deepwater ports

Terrain

lowlying, gently undulating central plateau

Administrative divisions

none

Capital

name: Singapore | geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E | time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Singapore | dual citizenship recognized: no | residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965; amended many times, last in 2015 (2016)

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Singapore | conventional short form: Singapore | local long form: Republic of Singapore | local short form: Singapore | etymology: name derives from the Sanskrit words "singa" (lion) and "pura" (city) to describe the city-state's leonine symbol

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Kirk W. WAGAR (since 25 September 2013) | embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 | mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001 | telephone: [65] 6476-9100 | FAX: [65] 6476-9340

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Ashok Kumar MIRPURI (since 24 July 2012) | chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 | FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876 | consulate(s) general: San Francisco | consulate(s): New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Tony TAN Keng Yam (since 1 September 2011) | head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Ministers TEO Chee Hean (since 1 April 2009) and Tharman SHANMUGARATNAM (since 21 May 2011) | cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Cabinet responsible to Parliament | elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a single 6-year term; election last held on 27 August 2011 (next to be held by August 2017); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president | election results: Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president; percent of vote - Tony TAN Keng Yam (independent) 35.2% , TAN Cheng Bock (independent) 34.9%, TAN Jee Say (independent) 25%, TAN Kin Lian (PP) 4.9%

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle; red denotes brotherhood and equality; white signifies purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the five stars represent the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ADB, AOSIS, APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the president or chief justice and 16 justices and organized into an upper tier Appeal Court and a lower tier High Court) | judge selection and term of office: all judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice; justices appointed for life | subordinate courts: district, magistrates', juvenile, family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims tribunals

Legal system

English common law

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Parliament (101 seats; 89 members directly elected by popular vote, 9 nominated by the president, and up to 9 - but currently 3 - non-constituency members from opposition parties to ensure political diversity; members serve 5-year terms) | elections: last held on 11 September 2015 (next to be held in 2020) | election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 69.9%, WP 12.5%, other 17.6%; seats by party - PAP 83, WP 6

National anthem

name: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore) | lyrics/music: ZUBIR Said | note: adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, the anthem is sung only in Malay

National holiday

National Day, 9 August (1965)

National symbol(s)

lion, merlion (mythical half lion-half fish creature), orchid; national colors: red, white

Political parties and leaders

National Solidarity Party or NSP [LIM Tean] | People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong] | Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan] | Workers' Party or WP [LOW Thia Khiang]

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal and compulsory

Background

Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but was ousted two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.

Military branches

Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2013)

Military expenditures

3.52% of GDP (2012) | 3.47% of GDP (2011) | 3.52% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 15

Military service age and obligation

18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 1/2 years of age for volunteers; 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 12.94% (male 382,479/female 365,595) | 15-24 years: 17.02% (male 484,355/female 499,940) | 25-54 years: 50.45% (male 1,420,833/female 1,496,125) | 55-64 years: 10.34% (male 299,446/female 298,562) | 65 years and over: 9.24% (male 243,418/female 290,975) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

8.4 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 221

Death rate

3.5 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 217

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 37.4% | youth dependency ratio: 21.4% | elderly dependency ratio: 16.1% | potential support ratio: 6.2% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population | total: 100% of population | urban: 0% of population | total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 140

Ethnic groups

Chinese 74.2%, Malay 13.3%, Indian 9.2%, other 3.3% (2013 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Health expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 146

Hospital bed density

2 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

total: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 2.6 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 222

Languages

Mandarin (official) 36.3%, English (official) 29.8%, Malay (official) 11.9%, Hokkien 8.1%, Cantonese 4.1%, Tamil (official) 3.2%, Teochew 3.2%, other Indian languages 1.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.1%, other 1.1% (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 85 years | male: 82.3 years | female: 87.8 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 2

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 96.8% | male: 98.6% | female: 95% (2015 est.)

Major infectious diseases

note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

SINGAPORE (capital) 5.619 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

10 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 182

Median age

total: 34.3 years | male: 34.2 years | female: 34.4 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 83

Mother's mean age at first birth

30.5 | median age (2015 est.)

Nationality

noun: Singaporean(s) | adjective: Singapore

Net migration rate

13.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 5

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

6.8% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 142

Physicians density

1.95 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

5,781,728 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114

Population growth rate

1.86% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 58

Religions

Buddhist 33.9%, Muslim 14.3%, Taoist 11.3%, Catholic 7.1%, Hindu 5.2%, other Christian 11%, other 0.7%, none 16.4% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population | total: 100% of population | urban: 0% of population | total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female | total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

0.82 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 224

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 7% | male: 5.4% | female: 9% (2013) | country comparison to the world: 121

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 2.02% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in 2008, ICJ awarded sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but did not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait

Illicit drugs

drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts, including carrying out death sentences; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering

Airports

9 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 158

Airports - with paved runways

total: 9 | over 3,047 m: 2 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 | under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9V (2016)

Merchant marine

total: 1,599 | by type: bulk carrier 247, cargo 109, carrier 6, chemical tanker 256, container 339, liquefied gas 131, petroleum tanker 436, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 5, vehicle carrier 57 | foreign-owned: 966 (Australia 12, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 1, Bermuda 25, Brazil 9, Chile 6, China 29, Cyprus 6, Denmark 149, France 3, Germany 32, Greece 22, Hong Kong 46, India 21, Indonesia 60, Italy 5, Japan 164, Malaysia 27, Netherlands 1, Norway 153, Russia 2, South Africa 13, South Korea 3, Sweden 11, Switzerland 3, Taiwan 77, Thailand 33, UAE 10, UK 6, US 36) | registered in other countries: 344 (Australia 2, Bahamas 7, Bangladesh 7, Belize 4, Cambodia 3, Cyprus 1, France 3, Honduras 11, Hong Kong 13, Indonesia 46, Italy 1, Kiribati 9, Liberia 22, Malaysia 13, Maldives 4, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 30, Mongolia 3, North Korea 1, Panama 92, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 10, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Sierra Leone 9, Thailand 1, Tuvalu 19, US 16, Vanuatu 2, unknown 5) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 6

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 5 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 197 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 33,290,544 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 6,154,365,275 mt-km (2015)

Pipelines

gas 122 km; refined products 8 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Singapore | container port(s) (TEUs): Singapore (31,649,400) | LNG terminal(s) (import): Singapore

Roadways

total: 3,425 km | paved: 3,425 km (includes 161 km of expressways) (2012) | country comparison to the world: 164

Transportation - note

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift; in 2014, 8 commercial vessels were attacked in the Singapore Straits