Maritime Security Report: 14th - 20th September 2026
This week saw twenty-one incidents globally, including: Antwerp Port, Argentina, Black Sea, International Waters, Singapore Strait, and Strait of Hormuz.
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Major Incidents Include:
SOUTH CHINA SEA (INCLUDING BATANGAS BAY):
Combined Criminal and Military Activity: An armed boarding of an LNG tanker at Batangas Bay resulted in theft without crew casualties, while separate military activity was reported in the South China Sea, creating a mixed maritime security environment.
EUROPE:
Sustained Conflict-Related Maritime Attacks: The Black Sea saw repeated strikes against commercial vessels and port infrastructure, including casualties among crew, while reported UAV activity near Kaspiysk indicates the conflict's maritime effects extending into the Caspian Sea. Separately, an oil leak at Antwerp temporarily disrupted port operations.
SINGAPORE STRAIT:
Armed Boarding of Commercial Shipping: A cargo vessel was boarded by armed sea robbers, resulting in theft of engine spares while the crew remained safe, highlighting an active maritime crime threat along the shipping route.
STRAIT OF HORMUZ
Sustained Threats to Commercial Shipping: Repeated reports of vessels being fired upon, struck by unknown projectiles, or subjected to attempted interception indicate a highly volatile maritime environment across the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Aden, with vessel damage and fire reported in some incidents.
Singapore Strait:
15 September / Boarding:
Two armed perpetrators boarded a Singapore-flagged LNG tanker at anchor in Batangas Bay. Several forecastle items were stolen, while all crew were reported safe and uninjured.
Talavera Passage, Argentina:
18 September / Vessel Collision:
The Singapore-flagged oil tanker MTM Key West collided with the Paraguay-flagged tug Impala San Antonio in Argentina's Talavera Passage. Both vessels continued to port or anchorage after the collision.
International Waters:
18 September / Stowaway Activity:
A stowaway was reportedly found aboard a merchant vessel in international waters. No further details were provided in the source entry.
South China Sea:
15 September / Theft:
Two armed perpetrators boarded a Singapore-flagged LNG tanker at anchor in Batangas Bay. Several forecastle items were stolen, while all crew were reported safe and uninjured.
18 September / Military Activity:
Military activity was reported in the South China Sea. The source entry provides no further information on the activity or its impact on maritime traffic.
Gulf of Aden:
17 September / Boarding:
A westbound tanker reported being pursued by a skiff 75NM east of Aden, which attempted to intercept the vessel. The crew and vessel were reported safe, and Operation ATALANTA was investigating.
Europe:
Black Sea:
15 September / UAV Strike:
Russian UAV strikes reportedly hit a tanker at Chornomorsk port and a ferry at Izmail port. Vessel identities, damage, casualties and the claim that the vessels supported the Ukrainian military were not independently verified or specified.
17 September / Attack:
A merchant vessel was reportedly fired upon in Ukrainian waters in the Black Sea. The source entry provides no further information on damage, casualties or the identity of the attacker.
17 September / UAV Strike:
A Russian UAV reportedly struck a Tanzanian-flagged vessel underway to a Ukrainian port, killing the captain and injuring three crew members. The vessel's damage was still being assessed.
19 September / Combined Strike:
Russian forces reportedly attacked commercial shipping in the Black Sea during a wider barrage across Ukraine. Russia's Ministry of Defence claimed Geran-4 drones struck a Ukrainian dry-cargo vessel en route to Odesa and a docked tanker in Odesa, alleging both carried military supplies.
20 September / UAV Strike:
Russian forces reportedly conducted UAV strikes on port infrastructure at Izmail. The source entry does not provide further information on vessel damage, casualties or the extent of infrastructure damage.
20 September / UAV Strike:
A bulk carrier was reportedly damaged during a Russian UAV attack on the port of Odesa. No further details on the vessel, damage or casualties were provided in the source entry.
Caspian Sea:
19 September / UAV Strike;
Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted a UAV strike near Kaspiysk Port in the Caspian Sea, with multiple explosions and air-defence activity reported. The target and resulting damage were not immediately clear.
Port of Antwerp:
14 September / Oil Leak:
An oil leak from MSC Renaissance III at Antwerp's MPET terminal disrupted traffic in Deurganckdok. The damaged hull section was temporarily sealed, the leaked oil was contained, and traffic resumed the following day.
Strait of Hormuz:
14 September / Strike:
A vessel was reportedly struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz at approximately 20:40 UTC. No damage or environmental impact was reported, and authorities are investigating.
16 September / Attack:
A merchant vessel was reportedly fired upon in the Persian Gulf. No further details on the vessel, attacker, damage or casualties were provided in the source entry.
17 September / Attack:
A merchant vessel was reportedly fired upon in the Persian Gulf. No further incident details were provided in the source entry.
17 September / Incident:
A vessel was involved in a reported security incident 16NM northeast of Khasab, Oman, in the Strait of Hormuz. The crew were reported safe and no environmental impact was confirmed.
17 September / Attack:
The IRGC claimed it struck the Togo-flagged oil-products tanker Trend in the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly causing a fire and stopping the vessel. It remains unclear whether this was the same incident reported by UKMTO near Khasab.
18 September / Attack:
A merchant vessel was reportedly fired upon in the Persian Gulf. No further details were provided in the source entry.
18 September / Attack:
A tanker was reportedly struck by an unknown projectile while conducting an outbound transit in the Strait of Hormuz, breaching the hull and causing a fire. The fire was extinguished and all crew were safe; environmental impact was unconfirmed.
Operational Guidance
Operators should:
Watch for Air & Sea Projectiles: Maintain sharp lookouts for long-range UAVs, cruise missiles, and USVs across the Black Sea. Use increased caution when navigating Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Watch for Stowaways: Maintain a sharp eye on cargo and enclosed spaces due to the risk of stowaways, especially when navigating treacherous waters.
Comply with Chokepoint Closures: Avoid entering the Strait of Hormuz due to unilateral state closures and active military engagement, unless explicitly authorized.
Deploy Maximum Active Deterrence: Ensure onboard security details are at peak readiness to repel state-level aggression and kinetic strikes in high-risk zones.
Monitor Urgent Military Broadcasts: Maintain constant watch on VHF Channel 16 for sudden navigation bans, and track emergency UKMTO, and MSCIO updates.
Threat Outlook
Region | Threat Level | Assessment |
Europe (Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Port of Antwerp) | Extremely High | The Black Sea saw repeated attacks on commercial vessels and port infrastructure, including a UAV strike that killed a vessel captain and injured three crew members, alongside further attacks at Odesa, Izmail and Chornomorsk. A further UAV strike was reported near Kaspiysk in the Caspian Sea, while Antwerp experienced an unrelated oil leak. The concentration of conflict-related incidents involving commercial shipping and ports drives the regional assessment. |
Singapore Strait | Medium-High | An armed boarding occurred in the Phillip Channel, with four perpetrators boarding a cargo vessel and stealing engine spares. The crew remained safe and Singapore Police Coast Guard subsequently searched the vessel. The incident demonstrates an active boarding and theft threat to commercial shipping, but without reported casualties or sustained attacks. |
South China Sea | Medium | The region recorded an armed boarding of a Singapore-flagged LNG tanker at Batangas Bay, during which two perpetrators stole equipment, while all crew remained safe. Separately, military activity was reported in the South China Sea, although no further details were provided. The combination indicates a security concern, but the incidents recorded were limited in scale and did not result in reported casualties. |
Strait of Hormuz (incl. Gulf of Aden) | Extremely High | Repeated maritime security incidents were reported across the region, including multiple vessels fired upon or struck by unknown projectiles in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, a reported tanker fire, and an attempted interception of a tanker east of Aden. The frequency of incidents and direct targeting of commercial vessels indicate a highly volatile maritime environment. |
Argentina | Low | A collision occurred between the Singapore-flagged tanker MTM Key West and Paraguay-flagged tug Impala San Antonio in the Talavera Passage. Both vessels continued to port or anchorage following the incident, with no casualties, pollution or significant damage reported in the source. The incident represents a maritime safety event rather than a significant security threat. |
International Waters | Low | A stowaway was discovered aboard a merchant vessel in international waters. No further information on the circumstances or consequences was provided. With no reported violence, theft, damage or disruption associated with the incident, the recorded threat level remains low. |
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