Weekly Maritime Security Report
Executive Brief
Week 21 (12 May 2025 - 19 May 2025)
Active Incidents
| Region | Threat Level | Incidents | 6-Month Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Ocean | ⚠⚠ Critical | 1 |
Key Developments
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7-Day Forecast
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West Africa
West African VRA/HRA
No incidents reported during this period.
Weekly Incidents
0
↓ Down from 1 last week
YTD Incidents (2026)
13
↑ Up 85.71% from 2025 (7)
Armed Incidents
0
No weekly incidents
High-Risk Areas
Recent Incidents
6-Month Incident Type Breakdown
Incident Details
Robbery Aboard Supply Vessel at Abidjan Inner Anchorage
28/05/2026An Antigua and Barbuda-flagged Offshore Supply Vessel was subjected to a robbery while at anchor at Abidjan inner anchorage, Ivory Coast. No further d...
Analysis & Recommendations
Key Findings
- No incidents reported during this period
- No armed incidents reported
- Region maintains substantial threat level
Recommendations
- Maintain vigilant watch when transiting high-risk areas
- Review and update vessel security plans as needed
- Ensure crew are briefed on latest regional threats
- Monitor regional alerts and advisories
Unknown Vessel
Reported
28/05/2026, 00:04 UTC
Location
Abidjan Inner Anchorage, Ivory Coast
5° 19' 18.00" N, 4° 1' 48.00" W
Vessel Status
Unknown
Crew Status
No injuries reported
Location
Map could not be loaded
Incident Details
Description
An Antigua and Barbuda-flagged Offshore Supply Vessel was subjected to a robbery while at anchor at Abidjan inner anchorage, Ivory Coast. No further details regarding the number of perpetrators, weapons employed, or items stolen are currently available.
Response Actions
- Self-defense Measures
- None Mentioned
Analysis
Key Findings
This incident is consistent with a recurring pattern of opportunistic theft targeting vessels at anchor in West African port anchorages, where reduced crew vigilance and limited visibility during nighttime hours create exploitable vulnerabilities. Abidjan's inner anchorage has historically been a focal point for such low-level maritime crime, with perpetrators typically approaching anchored vessels using small, non-descript watercraft to avoid detection before boarding via anchor chains or mooring lines. The targeting of an Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV) is tactically notable, as OSVs often carry valuable portable equipment, tools, and stores associated with offshore operations, making them attractive targets relative to their typically smaller crew complements and deck layouts that may offer concealment opportunities for boarders. The absence of reported weapons or crew harm suggests this may have been a swift, stealth-based theft rather than an armed robbery, though the limited available information precludes a definitive assessment of the attackers' methods or the full scope of losses sustained.
Recommendations
- Implement enhanced anchor watch protocols during hours of darkness, including regular perimeter patrols of the deck and monitoring of the waterline and anchor chain for unauthorized access attempts.
- Ensure all non-essential access points, hatches, and store rooms are secured and locked when at anchor in high-risk anchorages, and consider deploying additional lighting along the vessel's waterline to deter and detect approaching small craft.
- Report the incident promptly to local port authorities and maintain communication with neighboring vessels at anchorage to establish a collective awareness of suspicious small craft activity in the vicinity.
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia Region
No incidents reported during this period.
Weekly Incidents
0
No change from last week
YTD Incidents (2026)
31
↓ Down 31.11% from 2025 (45)
Armed Incidents
0
No weekly incidents
High-Risk Areas
Recent Incidents
6-Month Incident Type Breakdown
Incident Details
Unauthorized Boarding of Bulk Carrier in Singapore Strait
04/06/2026While the Bulk Carrier STAR LUNA was underway in the Singapore Strait, three perpetrators armed with knives and gun-like objects were sighted in the e...
Analysis & Recommendations
Key Findings
- No incidents reported during this period
- No armed incidents reported
- Region maintains substantial threat level
Recommendations
- Maintain vigilant watch when transiting high-risk areas
- Review and update vessel security plans as needed
- Ensure crew are briefed on latest regional threats
- Monitor regional alerts and advisories
Unknown Vessel
Reported
04/06/2026, 20:06 UTC
Location
Singapore Strait
1° 4' 13.00" N, 103° 41' 17.00" E
Vessel Status
Underway
Crew Status
No injuries reported
Location
/103.6880556,1.070277778,5,0/850x300@2x?attribution=false&logo=false&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoibWFyYS1hZG1pbiIsImEiOiJjbTZraHp4amswYXZhMmlxcXRydHhhcTJoIn0.X4nlN8xQGwggDUFSQCCJ0A)
Incident Details
Description
While the Bulk Carrier STAR LUNA was underway in the Singapore Strait, three perpetrators armed with knives and gun-like objects were sighted in the engine room. The perpetrators took an engine room crew member hostage while stealing engine spares. The ship's general alarm was activated and all crew mustered. A thorough search of the vessel was conducted; however, no further sighting of the perpetrators was made aboard, indicating they had escaped prior to or during the search. All crew members were accounted for and confirmed safe. Engine spares were found to be missing following the incident. The incident was reported to the Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS), and a safety broadcast on anti-piracy watch was transmitted to warn all vessels in the Singapore Strait (SS) to maintain a vigilant watch. The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Singapore Police Coast Guard (SPCG) were notified. Information was also shared with Indonesian authorities. Upon the vessel's arrival at Eastern Holding A Anchorage (AEHA), SPCG personnel boarded the vessel and conducted a further search, with no perpetrators found aboard.
Response Actions
- Self-defense Measures
- None Mentioned
Stolen Items
- Engine Spare Parts
Analysis
Key Findings
This incident reflects a well-established pattern of opportunistic theft targeting engine room crew and stores aboard vessels transiting or anchoring in the Singapore Strait. The attackers demonstrated a degree of tactical awareness by targeting the engine room — an area typically isolated from the bridge — and using the hostage-taking of engine crew as a control mechanism to facilitate the theft without triggering an immediate alarm. The delay in reporting, which only occurred after the robbers had already escaped, is a recurring vulnerability in such incidents: the physical separation between the engine room and bridge allows perpetrators a critical window to board, steal, and withdraw before any response can be mounted. The use of both a firearm and a knife indicates the robbers came prepared to escalate force if necessary, suggesting a degree of premeditation rather than purely opportunistic boarding. The selection of engine spare parts as the target is consistent with a known regional trend in which stolen marine equipment is funneled into secondary markets. The swift response by VTIS Central and the subsequent Coast Guard boarding for inspection reflects the established reporting and response framework in the strait, though the perpetrators had already disembarked by the time any response was initiated.
Recommendations
- Implement enhanced engine room access controls and establish a direct communication protocol between engine room personnel and the bridge, including a duress alarm, to reduce the reporting delay that allows perpetrators to escape before a response is mounted.
- Increase anti-piracy watch rotations — particularly in lower-deck and stern areas — during night transits and anchorage approaches in the Singapore Strait, as these are the most common boarding points for opportunistic robbers.
- Secure engine spare parts and high-value stores in locked compartments with access logs, and conduct regular inventory checks to enable rapid identification of stolen items for reporting to authorities.
Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean VRA/HRA
Weekly Incidents
1
↓ Down from 6 last week
YTD Incidents (2026)
124
↑ Up 1966.67% from 2025 (6)
Armed Incidents
0
0% of weekly total
High-Risk Areas
Recent Incidents
6-Month Incident Type Breakdown
Incident Details
GPS Interference Reports in Strait of Hormuz
18/05/2025Multiple reports have been received indicating GPS interference affecting vessels while transiting the Strait of Hormuz area. The interference appears...
Analysis & Recommendations
Key Findings
- 1 incidents reported during this period
- No armed incidents reported
- Region maintains substantial threat level
Recommendations
- Maintain vigilant watch when transiting high-risk areas
- Review and update vessel security plans as needed
- Ensure crew are briefed on latest regional threats
- Monitor regional alerts and advisories
Unknown Vessel
Reported
18/05/2025, 19:16 UTC
Location
Strait of Hormuz
26° 36' 7.23" N, 56° 25' 45.91" E
Vessel Status
Unknown
Crew Status
No injuries reported
Location
/56.4294198786905,26.6020096981172,5,0/850x300@2x?attribution=false&logo=false&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoibWFyYS1hZG1pbiIsImEiOiJjbTZraHp4amswYXZhMmlxcXRydHhhcTJoIn0.X4nlN8xQGwggDUFSQCCJ0A)
Incident Details
Description
Multiple reports have been received indicating GPS interference affecting vessels while transiting the Strait of Hormuz area. The interference appears to be affecting multiple vessels in the region.
Response Actions
- Self-defense Measures
- None Mentioned
Analysis
Key Findings
The reported GPS interference in the Strait of Hormuz represents a concerning pattern of electronic warfare tactics that have become increasingly common in this strategic waterway. The systematic nature of multiple reports suggests coordinated jamming or spoofing operations rather than isolated technical malfunctions. This type of interference can significantly compromise vessel navigation safety, particularly in the confined waters of the strait where precise positioning is critical for collision avoidance and adherence to traffic separation schemes. The timing and location of these incidents align with regional tensions and demonstrate the use of non-kinetic methods to disrupt maritime operations without direct confrontation.
Recommendations
- Maintain backup navigation systems including radar, compass, and visual navigation techniques
- Report GPS anomalies immediately to maritime authorities and nearby vessels via VHF
- Consider alternative routing or increased spacing between vessels when GPS reliability is compromised
Americas
Americas Region
No incidents reported during this period.
Weekly Incidents
0
No change from last week
YTD Incidents (2026)
6
↑ Up 100% from 2025 (3)
Armed Incidents
0
No weekly incidents
High-Risk Areas
Recent Incidents
6-Month Incident Type Breakdown
Incident Details
U.S. Forces Seize Sanctioned Tanker in Caribbean
20/01/2026U.S. Forces seized a Tanker in the Caribbean Sea on January 20, 2026. The U.S. Southern Command stated the vessel was "operating in defiance of Presid...
Analysis & Recommendations
Key Findings
- No incidents reported during this period
- No armed incidents reported
- Region maintains substantial threat level
Recommendations
- Maintain vigilant watch when transiting high-risk areas
- Review and update vessel security plans as needed
- Ensure crew are briefed on latest regional threats
- Monitor regional alerts and advisories
Unknown Vessel
Reported
20/01/2026, 00:01 UTC
Location
Caribbean Sea
14° 35' 42.00" N, 67° 58' 42.00" W
Vessel Status
Unknown
Crew Status
No injuries reported
Location
/-67.978333333333,14.595,5,0/850x300@2x?attribution=false&logo=false&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoibWFyYS1hZG1pbiIsImEiOiJjbTZraHp4amswYXZhMmlxcXRydHhhcTJoIn0.X4nlN8xQGwggDUFSQCCJ0A)
Incident Details
Description
U.S. Forces seized a Tanker in the Caribbean Sea on January 20, 2026. The U.S. Southern Command stated the vessel was "operating in defiance of President Trump's established quarantine of sanctioned vessels" and was seized "without incident." The exact time and location of the seizure were not specified.
Response Actions
- Self-defense Measures
- None Mentioned
Analysis
Key Findings
This incident represents a significant escalation in maritime enforcement operations, with U.S. military forces directly seizing a commercial vessel for sanctions violations rather than relying on traditional interdiction or port state control measures. The reference to a "quarantine of sanctioned vessels" suggests a new enforcement framework that may involve active maritime exclusion zones or enhanced monitoring of designated vessels. The peaceful nature of the seizure ("without incident") indicates either the vessel crew offered no resistance or U.S. forces employed overwhelming tactical superiority to ensure compliance.
Recommendations
- Vessel operators should verify their sanctions compliance status and avoid operating in areas where enforcement quarantines may be active
- Maintain clear documentation of cargo origins, destinations, and ownership to demonstrate compliance with international sanctions regimes
- Monitor official maritime security bulletins for updates on enforcement zones or quarantine areas that may affect transit routes
Europe
Europe/Black Sea Region
No incidents reported during this period.
Weekly Incidents
0
↓ Down from 4 last week
YTD Incidents (2026)
38
↑ Up 533.33% from 2025 (6)
Armed Incidents
0
No weekly incidents
High-Risk Areas
Recent Incidents
6-Month Incident Type Breakdown
Incident Details
Russian UAV Strike Destroys Two Ukrainian Patrol Boats off Odessa
07/06/2026In early June 2026, two Ukrainian patrol boats operating off Odessa, Ukraine, were struck by Russian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Both patrol vess...
Analysis & Recommendations
Key Findings
- No incidents reported during this period
- No armed incidents reported
- Region maintains substantial threat level
Recommendations
- Maintain vigilant watch when transiting high-risk areas
- Review and update vessel security plans as needed
- Ensure crew are briefed on latest regional threats
- Monitor regional alerts and advisories
Unknown Vessel
Reported
07/06/2026, 00:01 UTC
Location
Black Sea, off Odessa, Ukraine
46° 12' 36.00" N, 31° 0' 12.00" E
Vessel Status
Unknown
Crew Status
No injuries reported
Location
/31.003333333333,46.21,5,0/850x300@2x?attribution=false&logo=false&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoibWFyYS1hZG1pbiIsImEiOiJjbTZraHp4amswYXZhMmlxcXRydHhhcTJoIn0.X4nlN8xQGwggDUFSQCCJ0A)
Incident Details
Description
In early June 2026, two Ukrainian patrol boats operating off Odessa, Ukraine, were struck by Russian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Both patrol vessels were destroyed as a result of the attacks. The fate of their crews remains unconfirmed by independent sources. Video footage published on channels with documented ties to Russian military units depicts aerial platforms tracking small surface vessels at close range before impacting them in what appear to be direct hits. The exact date and precise positions of the vessels at the time of the strikes have not been confirmed.
Response Actions
- Self-defense Measures
- None Mentioned
Analysis
Key Findings
This incident reflects the continued and increasingly effective use of UAVs as a primary offensive tool against small naval surface vessels in the Black Sea theater. The engagement profile — aerial platforms tracking and striking small, fast patrol boats at close range — suggests the use of loitering munitions or first-person-view (FPV) attack drones, which have proven highly effective against maneuverable surface targets that may otherwise evade conventional munitions. The destruction of both vessels in a single operational sequence indicates either coordinated multi-drone tasking or sequential engagement by the same platform, pointing to a mature and rehearsed targeting methodology. The ambiguity surrounding crew casualties is operationally significant: the absence of independent confirmation may reflect information control, the remote nature of the engagement, or the speed at which the vessels were destroyed. The release of footage through channels linked to Russian military units suggests a deliberate information operation component, using the strikes for both documentation and psychological effect. This pattern — combining kinetic effect with immediate open-source dissemination — has become a hallmark of drone warfare in this conflict and underscores the dual tactical and informational value attributed to such strikes.
Recommendations
- Small naval and patrol vessels operating in contested littoral environments should implement active drone detection systems (acoustic, RF, and optical) and establish rapid evasive maneuvering protocols upon UAV contact.
- Patrol boat crews should operate with electronic emissions discipline to reduce RF signatures exploitable for drone targeting, and consider deploying electronic countermeasures or jamming equipment where operationally feasible.
- Command authorities should establish redundant communication and accountability procedures so that crew status can be rapidly confirmed following any strike, reducing the window of uncertainty regarding personnel casualties.