Maritime Security Report: 28 September – 5 October 2025

Palaemon Maritime
20 hours ago
3 min read

Escalating threats from missile strikes, piracy, and drone warfare across multiple regions

Six major incidents last week highlight how dynamic and unpredictable the global maritime threat environment remains. From missile attacks in the Gulf of Aden to piracy in the Singapore Straits, the risks facing international shipping continue to evolve.

Critical incident overview - maritime security

Key Security Actions

West Africa → Maintain full BMP5 vigilance. Enhance watchkeeping and vessel hardening in high-risk transit zones.
Europe (Black Sea) → Avoid conflict zones; monitor for unmanned systems and unusual activity near ports.
Southeast Asia (Singapore Straits) → Maintain continuous deck patrols, secure ladders and deck equipment, and report all suspicious activity to ReCAAP, IMB, or IMO.
Gulf of Aden → Follow BMP5 transit protocols; maintain full situational awareness and report any threats to UKMTO immediately.

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Major Incidents This Week

1. Gulf of Aden – Houthi Missile Attack on MV Minervagracht

On 29 September, the Netherlands-flagged cargo vessel Minervagracht was struck by a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM).

The ship caught fire, forcing the crew to abandon ship and evacuate via helicopter. Two crewmembers were injured, and the vessel has since sunk in the Gulf of Aden.

This was the second Houthi attack on the same vessel within six days, marking a concerning escalation in the region.

2. Gulf of Guinea – Robbery at Anchor (Congo)

A Malta-flagged barge carrier, Otto 1, was robbed while anchored at Pointe Noire. Thieves approached in a small fishing boat and boarded using ropes, stealing an outboard engine and stores before escaping undetected.

The theft was discovered during routine rounds, and port control was notified.

Risk Level: Moderate – opportunistic thefts at anchorages continue in the Gulf of Guinea.

3. Black Sea – Drone and Missile Activity

A USV carrying 300 kg of explosives was recovered by Turkish coastguards near Trabzon on 29 September.

The following day, Russian forces launched a P-800 Oniks missile at the port of Izmail, Ukraine. These incidents highlight the ongoing integration of unmanned and precision-strike weapons into the maritime threat landscape.

4. Singapore Straits – Violent Robbery on Tanker

On 30 September, three pirates boarded the Malta-flagged crude oil tanker Delta Maria at night. They tied up a crew member in the engine room before escaping with stolen engine parts.

The oiler escaped and raised the alarm; all crew were safe.

Trend: The Singapore Straits continues to experience frequent small-scale robberies, often targeting engine spares and stores.

5. Western Europe – Russian Shadow Fleet Vessel Detained

French authorities boarded and detained a Russian-linked “shadow fleet” tanker near Saint-Nazaire.

The vessel is suspected of involvement in drone surveillance activity over Danish military and civilian sites.

Investigations are ongoing, and several crew members remain in custody.

Analysis

This week’s incidents underscore the diversity of threats now facing global shipping:

Hybrid warfare – The use of ASBMs and unmanned systems in active conflict zones.
Criminal opportunism – Persistent piracy and robbery at anchorages in Southeast Asia and West Africa.
State-linked intelligence operations – Western Europe emerging as a new theatre for “grey-zone” maritime activity.

For operators, these events reinforce the importance of:

Continuous BMP5 compliance and crew readiness.
Regularly reviewing voyage risk profiles.
Ensuring barriers and deterrence systems are in place, particularly during high-risk transits.

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