Singapore’s defence chief has warned that increasing global maritime threats could jeopardise world trade and that more needs to be done to tackle new security challenges decisively.

“Collectively, we need to step up our intelligence efforts as the centre of gravity of global terrorism shifts away from the Middle East and moves to other regions of the world, including this region,” Dr Ng Eng Hen told delegates at the 12th International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) Asia in Singapore.