This week recorded 32 maritime security incidents  as wartime spillovers deeply affect global navigation and shipping, primarily in the Arabian and Black Seas.  Download the full report here: Executive Summary Indian Ocean/Arabian Gulf: Maritime security in the Indian Ocean is extremely precarious following the wartime escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran. This week, vessels were struck by missiles, drones, or explosive projectiles across the Strait of Hormu

Military actions int he Gulf have produced unprecedented volatility to global energy and shipping markets, as the Strait of Hormuz enters a "risk-induced gridlock". With 20% of the world's oil supply stalled and shipping costs surging, the 2025 Gulf Crisis is fundamentally redrawing the strategic map of maritime trade. The Arabian Gulf has long been the world’s most sensitive barometer for geopolitical tension, but the events of early March 2026 have pushed the needle into th

This week, nine incidents were recorded, as wartime spillovers from Iran are affecting global navigation, and piracy is on the rise in West Africa and the Singapore Strait. Download the full report here: Executive Summary   Indian Ocean: The United States and Israel launched joint air strikes against Iran, causing a flurry of retaliatory strikes in the region, producing spillovers to maritime trade such as the closing of the Hormuz Strait and projectiles impacting close to v

As Palaemon highlighted in previous articles ( read here ), geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran raise concerns for vessels transiting the Red Sea. This volatile maritime security environment is reflected in the European decision to continue its naval presence in the region. Read the full article to have an update on the crisis and its effects on commercial shipping. Naval units from Iran and Russia carry out drills (Credit: Al-Azzawi) US-Iran Capabiliti

This week, four incidents were recorded, featuring onboard fires, detentions, and suspicious approaches. As geopolitical tensions are set to escalate in the following days, risks to shipping will rise. Download the full report here: Executive Summary North Europe: A containership that had been blacklisted for its involvement in the shadow fleet was detained in Denmark for false registry. Northeast Pacific: A breakbulk carrier caught fire in its cargo hold while unloading

Why improvised deterrence is giving way to engineered protection The Era of Improved Defences During the rise of Somali piracy, the shipping industry was forced to react quickly to a mobile, violent and determined threat. Vessels were being targeted and boarded at range, often with very little warning. Something was needed fast to mitigate that risk. The emergence of private armed guards provided a strong deterrent and, in many cases, an effective preventative measure. Alongs

Warning shots off Aden highlight the fragile security environment in the Red Sea, where geopolitical escalation and opportunistic piracy continue to endanger global trade. In our previous analysis, "Soon": US v.s. Iran Regional Escalation and Houthis Threat Assessment , we explored the fragile tinderbox of the Red Sea and the potential for a resurgence of Houthi activity amidst US-Iran confrontations. Though a non-state actor, the Houthi's hold significant asymmetric leverag

This week, on ly two incidents were recorded as a vessel was seized in the Indian Ocean, and a minor collision occurred in East Asia.  Download the full report here: Executive Summary Indian Ocean: Amidst rising geopolitical tensions, US forces sent a strong signal of dedicated enforcement of the maritime blockade of Venezuela by seizing the Aquila II, after a 5 week chase into the Indian Ocean.   East Asia: A collision occurred between a fishing vessel and a chemical tanker

The sanctioned tanker, Aquila II, has been seized in the Indian Ocean, following a 15,000 km pursuit by U.S. forces. A U.S. Navy warship shadows Aquila II, leading to the vessel’s seizure in the Indian Ocean after fleeing U.S. forces from the Caribbean. Photo: Department of War On the 9 th of February, U.S. forces boarded and seized the tanker Aquila II  in the Indian Ocean, marking one of the most geographically ambitious maritime interdictions in modern sanctions enforceme

This week incidents spanned West and East Africa, as well as the Northwest Indian Ocean, including new piracy threats, attempted robberies, seizures, and military engagements. Executive Summary East Africa: A new Pirate Action Group (PAG) has been spotted near the Duradura Coast, Somalia. West Africa: An intruder nearly boarded a Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel located about 50 km off the Angolan coast. North Indian Ocean: India and Iran have each

Read the full article to understand more about the geography of weapons and violence in piracy attacks. Piracy, Knives and Firearms In 2025, weapons were used in 79 piracy incidents (representing half of all reported incidents and the highest since 2021). The incidents mostly involved firearms , used in 53.16% of the cases, followed by knives , whose use is now at a historic low of 41.77% . The trend is concerning, as it represents a step away from low-end, close-contact i

Robberies across Southeast Asia and West Africa, with drone strikes on ports and beached naval mines in Europe. This week , incidents spanned West Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia, with activity concentrated in Europe, including drone strikes on ports and the discovery of naval mines ashore. Executive Summary Key trends this week: West Africa  - A bulk carrier has been robbed by two individuals whilst at anchor at Takoradi anchorage, Ghana. Europe  - Pivdennyi port was hit

Read the full article to get insights into the Houthis’ operational capacity and threat assessment of transiting the area. Following the Gaza ceasefire in late 2025, Houthi attacks against shipping and commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea have subsided. While transit in the Suez Canal has not returned to pre-crisis levels , some major container lines, such as Ocean Network Express and Maersk, have returned to the region in a limited capacity . However, this fragile equ

Piracy threats, international tensions, and operational oversights This week ten maritime incidents were recorded across the Caribbean Sea, Europe, the Gulf of Guinea and Southeast Asia. Incidents primarily involve piracy threats, operational accidents and international maritime spillovers . Executive Summary Key trends this week: Americas: U.S. Forces continue to seize sanctioned vessels transiting the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela. Europe: An oil spill resulted in the r

The IMB 2025 Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships report reveals piracy incidents have reached their highest level since they started reporting, and sheds light on concerning trends in maritime crime. Full report can be accessed here . A Surge in Piracy Incidents On January 15th, the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) released the 2025 edition of their yearly report of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships. The report shows that piracy has increased to an all time hi

Drone strikes, Oil spills, in Europe, state-led seizures in the Americas, and armed robberies in South East Asia. This reporting period saw seven serious maritime security incidents in European, South East Asian, and Central American waters. These included multiple drone strikes, state-led seizures, and armed robbery, highlighting escalating threats from both state and non-state actors. Executive Summary Key trends this week: Singapore Strait - Armed robberies continue, targ

Shadow fleet seizures, drone warfare in the Black Sea, and crew kidnappings in West Africa This reporting period recorded nine serious maritime security incidents  across the Caribbean, Black Sea, Gulf of Guinea and Southeast Asia . Events ranged from state-led tanker seizures  to drone strikes on civilian shipping  and a crew kidnapping off Gabon , underlining the growing complexity of the global threat environment. Executive Summary Key trends this week: Caribbean Sea  – US

The maritime industry faces a clear and present danger as ships become prime targets for cyberattacks that can cripple operations, endanger safety, and disrupt global trade. The Cost of Inaction: Real-Life Incidents and Crushing Financial Impact Cyber incidents in the shipping industry follow a pattern of low frequency, but exceptionally high impact . The consequences extend far beyond a single ship, threatening global supply chains and causing financial fallout in the hundre

Hijacking off Somalia, airstrikes in the Gulf of Aden, and drone activity across Europe The final days of 2025 and the opening week of 2026 saw hijacking, kidnappings, drone strikes, and military air operations  affecting maritime activity across East Africa, West Africa, Europe, and the Gulf of Aden . The incidents highlight the continued convergence of piracy, state-level conflict, and infrastructure disruption , with clear implications for commercial shipping transiting hi

The US announced its 10th deadly missile strike on a maritime vessel accused of trafficking illegal narcotics in the Eastern Pacific, marking the 3rd strike last week. When Counter-Narcotics Turns Into Naval Warfare USS Gerald R. Ford has left Croatia, and is headed to Venezuela to join the carrier strike group against transnational criminal organizations in the Caribbean (Seaman Alyssa Joy/USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)/Digital) The Caribbean Sea is currently the stage for an u