A US Navy warship believed to be carrying thousands of Marines and sailors to the Middle East is nearing the Malacca Strait off Singapore as it makes its way to the region, maritime tracking data showed Tuesday. The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli was approaching Singapore, at the southwestern edge of the South China Sea, Tuesday morning, according to AIS tracking data seen by CNN. Revealing their positions while transiting areas with heavy maritime traffic, like the waters around Singapore, enables safer operations. An MEU consists of four elements: command, ground combat, air combat and logistics combat. CNN could not confirm the presence of those smaller ships with the Tripoli in maritime tracking sites Tuesday.

Source: CNN March 17, 2026 11:43 UTC