Maritime Security Report: 10–17 November 2025

Palaemon Maritime
Nov 18
4 min read

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 to impact Russian port infrastructure.

Operators transiting these regions are advised to apply BMP5 measures, maintain strong watchkeeping routines, and ensure all access points and storage areas are secured.

Executive Summary

This week saw escalating maritime threats across four regions. Armed pirates targeted tankers in the Singapore and Malacca Straits, entering engine rooms and threatening crew with knives, metal rods, and machetes.

Iran seized the Marshall Islands–flagged tanker TALARA near the Strait of Hormuz, redirecting it into Iranian waters and announcing a judicial order to confiscate its cargo. In the Black Sea,

Ukraine conducted multiple strikes against Russian port assets in Novorossiysk and Tuapse, using a mix of missiles, drones, and unmanned surface vessels. Meanwhile, in

West Africa, anchored tankers were once again robbed of ship stores. These incidents show the continued spread of criminal, state, and conflict-driven threats across global shipping lanes.

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Regional Breakdown

🇸🇬 Singapore & Malacca Straits – Violent Engine Room Robberies

Piracy in Southeast Asia remains active, with multiple dangerous boardings.

16 November — Singapore Strait

A tanker steaming in the Phillip Channel was boarded by armed robbers who entered the engine-room workshop. Crew were threatened with machetes and metal rods, and engine parts were stolen before the intruders escaped.

15 November — Singapore Strait

A Marshall Islands–flagged tanker was boarded while underway. Two perpetrators armed with knives were found in the engine room.

Nothing was stolen, and crew were unharmed.

15 November — Indonesia (Belawan Anchorage)

A thief broke into the bosun’s store, stealing ship property before fleeing.

Padlocks had been forced, and access control measures breached.

Trend: Engine room entry remains the pirate’s preferred target zone in Southeast Asia.

Guidance: Secure access routes, reinforce lighting, and maintain continuous bridge-engine communication.

⚓ Gulf of Guinea – Ship Stores Stolen at Anchor

13 November — Lagos, Nigeria (Ijugu Channel Anchorage)

Three thieves breached the paint locker of an anchored tanker.

Ship stores were stolen before the intruders escaped when the alarm was raised.

Trend: Opportunistic theft at anchor remains frequent across Nigerian anchorages.

Guidance: Strengthen deck patrols, lighting, and store-room security.

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🇮🇷 Strait of Hormuz – State Seizure of Tanker TALARA

14 November — 20NM East of Khor Fakkan

Iran’s IRGC boarded and seized the oil tanker TALARA, loaded with 30,000 tonnes of high-sulphur gasoil.

The vessel was redirected into Iranian waters, reportedly under a judicial order to confiscate the cargo.

Implications:

Confirms heightened state enforcement and interception in the Strait of Hormuz
Vessels with sensitive or mixed cargo documentation should expect increased scrutiny

Guidance: Follow UKMTO reporting protocols and maintain readiness to manoeuvre.

💥 Black Sea – Drone, Missile & USV Strikes Continue

14 November — Novorossiysk Port

Ukraine deployed long-range missiles/drones against the Sheskharis oil complex.

Infrastructure damaged
Fire reported and extinguished
Three crew injured after drone debris struck a vessel nearby

10 November — Tuapse, Russia

Multiple unmanned surface vessels (USVs) targeted port infrastructure.

One USV detonated nearshore
Additional USVs destroyed
A boat shed was damaged

Trend: Ukrainian strikes continue to disrupt Russian oil and logistics nodes, creating unpredictable navigational hazards for nearby commercial shipping.

Threat Outlook

Region	Threat Level	Notes
Somalia / Gulf of Aden / WIO	High	Following last week’s confirmed Somali pirate attacks — including a tanker boarded 553NM offshore, RPG fire, and active mothership-supported approaches — pirate networks remain active and capable. Long-range operations are expected to continue. Maintain full BMP5, early hardening, and immediate reporting to UKMTO/MSCHOA.
Southeast Asia (Singapore & Malacca Straits)	High	Repeated engine-room robberies using knives, machetes, and metal rods. Pirates continue to target engineering spaces while vessels are underway.
West Africa (Nigeria / Gulf of Guinea)	Moderate–High	Opportunistic theft at anchor ongoing; intruders continue to target ship stores, paint lockers, and bosun’s stores.
Strait of Hormuz / Gulf of Oman	High	IRGC state seizure activity confirmed this week. Vessels may face interception, redirection, or detention.
Black Sea	High	Drone, missile, and USV attacks continue against Russian port infrastructure in Novorossiysk and Tuapse. Debris hazards and collateral risks for commercial vessels remain significant.