Maritime Security Report: 22 - 29 June 2026
- sjregis
- 20 minutes ago
- 5 min read
This week saw ten Incidents globally, including: Black Sea, Gulf of Oman, Mediterranean, Strait of Hormuz, and Southeast Asia.
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Executive Summary
Europe
Shadow Fleet Seizures & UAV Escalation: France seized a suspected Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea to enforce energy export sanctions. Concurrently, a Russian UAV struck a Turkish-owned, Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier bound for a Ukrainian port in the Black Sea, sparking a major fire and forcing a life-raft evacuation that killed a 58-year-old cook and injured two crew members, amidst reports of three other vessels being hit in the area.
Northwest Indian Ocean
Hormuz Transit Crisis & Retaliatory Air Strikes: The IRGC rejected an IMO evacuation plan and closed the Strait of Hormuz, pausing the framework after striking a container ship off Oman. Initial U.S. retaliatory strikes in Sirik triggered a second Iranian drone attack on the oil tanker Kiku off the UAE. This prompted expanded U.S. airstrikes across Iran, which culminated in a combined Iranian missile and drone attack on Bahrain.
Southeast Asia
Armed Boarding in Transit Corridor: Armed perpetrators carrying knives and a gun-like object boarded an underway cargo vessel transiting the Phillip Channel in the Singapore Strait during an attempted robbery.
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Key Incidents by Region
Northwest Indian Ocean
28 June 2026
Iran has launched DRONE AND BALLISTIC MISSILE attacks targeting the US Fifth Fleet Naval Base in Bahrain, and the Ali Al Salem Airbase in Kuwait. The attack DESTROYED an eight-story residential building near Bahrain International Airport. U.S. defence officials confirmed there was no major damage to American facilities or assets. This comes right after an Iranian drone attack on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran continues its attacks to deter the US from undermining Iranian efforts to control the SoH.
27 June 2026
Open sources have reported that U.S. forces LAUNCHED STRIKES against multiple Iranian military targets. U.S. CENTCOM stated it STRUCK Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defence sites, drone storage facilities, and mine-layer capabilities. This was a direct response to continued Iranian aggression despite previous U.S. warnings and retaliation following Iran’s attack on shipping on June 27.
27 June 2026
The Panama-flagged VLCC, M/T Kiku, was STRUCK by an Iranian military drone in an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz, whilst carrying Qatar Energy oil, 22 NM off Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The vessel’s starboard bridge wing was STRUCK AND DAMAGED, but it was able to safely continue its passage. No casualties were reported. This marks the second merchant vessel struck by Iran within a 48-hour window.
26 June 2026
U.S. forces conducted STRIKES against Iran, hitting coastal radar sites and missile/drone storage locations in Sirik, southern Iran. CENTCOM stated this was a RETALIATION following Iran’s attack on a container vessel on June 25.
25 June 2026
Following the attack in the Gulf of Oman, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has TEMPORARILY PAUSED its evacuation operation pending further notice. The UKMTO will not be conducting notifications to vessels regarding inclusion in IMO planning batches during this period. All vessels in the area should continue to monitor official IMO communications and relevant coastal tate guidance.
25 June 2026
The Singapore-flagged container vessel, Ever Lovely, was HIT by an unknown Iranian projectile 7.5 NM southeast of Dahit, Oman. As the vessel was exiting the Strait of Hormuz, it was hit on its starboard side, causing DIRECT DAMAGE to the bridge structure. No casualties or environmental impact were reported, and the vessel continued its transit.
25 June 2026
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, has WARNED vessels against using any non-Iran-approved transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz, REJECTING an IMO-backed evacuation plan that offers a southern passage coordinated by Oman and the United States. This warning contradicts a plan announced by the IMO to evacuate seafarers stranded in the Middle East Gulf, after the agency stated it had secured ‘necessary safety guarantees’, creating confusion and uncertainty for ships in the area.
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Southeast Asia
25 June 2026
A cargo vessel was BOARDED whilst underway in the Phillip Channel, Singapore. The crew reportedly sighted THREE ARMED PERPETRATORS wielding knives and a gun-like object on board. No further information has been disclosed.
Europe
23 June 2026
The French Navy SEIZED another Russian shadow fleet oil tanker, identified as the Deliver, near Sicily. The vessel was sailing from Russia’s Primorsk oil terminal towards Suez Canal and Singapore. Despite being removed from Cameroon’s registry weeks prior, the vessel was still operating under the Cameroonian flag. On this basis, French forces boarded and detained the tanker.
22 June 2026
The Panama-flagged bulk carrier, VICTRESS, was STRUCK by a Russian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) whilst it was transiting the Black Sea. The Turkish-owned vessel was bound for a Ukrainian port when it was HIT by the drone strike, which SPARKED A FIRE onboard and caused SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. Ukrainian forces have started a rescue operation and evacuated the crew via life raft. One crew member was KILLED in the attack, and two crew members were INJURED. Open-source reports have also stated that up to THREE ADDITIONAL VESSELS have been STRUCK in the Black Sea whilst underway to Ukrainian ports.
Threat Outlook
Region | Threat Level | Assessment |
Europe | Very High | The Black Sea remains highly dangerous for commercial shipping as a target for subsea, surface and aerial drones, including in coastal areas. Vessels traversing the Baltic sea route to Russia, also seem to have elevated risk. |
Gulf of Aden | Medium | Depsite no activity this week, previous weeks have shown consistent threats from Somali PAGs and Houthi's. Suspicious approaches remain a risk in these waters. |
Northwest Indian Ocean | Very High | The Hormuz conflict remains tense, despite diplomatic efforts. Iran's continued targetting of shipping, and retaliatory strikes by the United States confirm that safe passage remains elusive. |
Southeast Asia | Low | Petty theft and robberies are a consistent theme in the Singapore Strait and surrounding waters. |
Operational Guidance
Operators should:
Watch for Drones & Explosives: Maintain sharp lookouts for UAVs and military projectiles across the Black Sea and the Strait of Hormuz/Gulf of Oman corridors.
Anti-Piracy & Port Watches: Ensure effective hardening measures and maintain BMP-MS readiness to deter knife-and-gun armed boardings in the Singapore Strait.
Obey Chokepoint Blockades: Avoid the Strait of Hormuz due to state-sponsored missile/UAV strikes and unilateral IRGC closures, unless explicitly authorised.
Deploy Active Deterrence: Ensure experienced security measures are active and ready to repel opportunistic attacks and state-level aggression in designated high-risk zones.
Monitor Security Broadcasts: Maintain a continuous watch on VHF Channel 16 and closely track critical UKMTO, MSCIO, JMIC, and NAVAREA updates to monitor threats.
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