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

Two adrift USVs have been reported in the Black Sea within the past 2 months, marking a new maritime threat within the region A Dangerous Pattern On 29th September, Turkish fishermen found a USV, loaded with 300 kg of explosives Since early 2022, drifting naval devices have become an alarming byproduct of the Russo-Ukrainian war. What began with floating mines has evolved into a broader threat with Ukraine’s increasing use of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). These potentially

Escalation risks in the Red Sea, port strikes in the Black Sea, piracy in Southeast Asia, and a live pursuit in the Caribbean The final reporting period of December saw seven significant maritime security incidents  across the Red Sea, Black Sea, Southeast Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and the Caribbean Sea . The incidents ranged from state seizures and missile strikes  to armed robberies and piracy , underlining the persistent and evolving risks facing commercial shipping at year

Kidnapping in West Africa, multi-craft attacks in the Bab el-Mandeb, and renewed drone activity in the Black Sea This week saw armed attacks, kidnappings, and drone activity  across the Black Sea, Red Sea/Bab el-Mandeb, and West Africa. The incidents highlight an increasingly volatile environment for commercial shipping, with uncrewed systems , small-boat swarm tactics , and crew abductions  continuing to feature prominently. Executive Summary According to the report, the per

Seven incidents across four regions: piracy, drone warfare, port theft, and escalating unrest Seven notable maritime security incidents were recorded this reporting period across Southeast Asia, the Mozambique Channel, the Black Sea, and the Bay of Bengal . The incidents ranged from armed piracy and ship store theft  to drone and USV attacks  and growing labour unrest , underscoring a complex, multi-region threat environment for commercial shipping. Executive Summary This wee

Drone attacks on Izmail Port and attempted boarding in Lagos highlight continued multi-regional threats Two major maritime security incidents were recorded this week across Europe  and West Africa , reflecting ongoing risks from both state-level conflict spillover  and opportunistic criminal activity . Operators in affected regions should maintain strict vigilance, update crew awareness, and ensure BMP-MS and local best practices are enforced. Executive Summary This week saw

A veteran seafarer recounts the day routine work turned into a life-or-death struggle off the coast of Somalia. Life at sea can seem predictable, with endless horizons and routine work. For most sailors, the greatest dangers are storms or equipment failures, not armed attackers. But for Karol Edmund Sobczak , a veteran who spent nearly twenty years on deck, the calm of routine was shattered in a single, unforgettable incident . Palaemon spoke with Sobczak about his years at s

Violent piracy in Southeast Asia, a state-led tanker hijacking in the Strait of Hormuz, and continued strikes in the Black Sea Seven incidents were recorded this week across Southeast Asia, the Gulf of Guinea, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Black Sea , showing a mix of violent piracy, targeted state intervention, and ongoing conflict-driven attacks . Crew were threatened with weapons, a tanker was forcibly seized by Iranian forces, and Ukrainian drone/missile strikes continued

Somali piracy has re-emerged in 2025: A series of coordinated attacks now stretches hundreds of miles offshore, reviving fears of a global shipping crisis. (EU Naval Force secures tanker following piracy attack. Credits: EUNAVFOR ) After more than a decade of relative calm, the western Indian Ocean is once again confronting a revived piracy threat . According to Dryad Global, corroborated by   UKMTO, MSCHOA, and multiple maritime intelligence sources, the resurgence began in

Maritime Security Report | 4–10 November 2025 Piracy in the Western Indian Ocean has resurfaced in force. This week, three high-risk incidents linked to active Somali Pirate Action Groups (PAGs)  were recorded — including a confirmed boarding, the use of RPGs, and a mothership-supported stalking approach more than 500 nautical miles offshore . At the same time, another boarding event was confirmed off West Africa , reinforcing that criminal groups remain active on both sides

Somali piracy re-emerges as conflict activity persists in the Black Sea This week saw a significant development in the western Indian Ocean with the first confirmed Somali Pirate Action Group (PAG)  operating since mid-2024. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes  continue to target Russian port infrastructure in the Black Sea. Operators should maintain heightened vigilance across both regions, with BMP5 enforcement, layered hardening measures, and rapid reporting  remaining esse

Suspicious vessel activity off Benin and continued strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure This week’s maritime security incidents reflect ongoing threats from regional instability and suspicious approaches at sea , particularly in West Africa  and Eastern Europe . While the number of reported incidents was lower than previous weeks, the potential for escalation remains high . Regional Incident Breakdown ⚓ West Africa – LPG Tanker Tracked by Suspicious Craft On 21 October ,

Explosion risk in the Gulf of Aden, piracy in West Africa, and growing tensions in the South China Sea. This week’s maritime security developments highlight a mix of state aggression , criminal boarding attempts , and high-risk vessel incidents  across key global shipping lanes. Operators transiting the Gulf of Aden, South China Sea, West Africa, and Southeast Asia  should remain alert and ensure BMP5 measures  are fully enforced. Executive Summary West Africa:  Opportunistic

GNSS Interference, Armed Robbery, and Drone Warfare Across Global Shipping Routes This week’s maritime incidents highlight an...

Escalating threats from missile strikes, piracy, and drone warfare across multiple regions Six major incidents last week highlight how...