Maritime Security Report: 9 - 15 March 2026
- Palaemon Maritime
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
This week recorded 13 maritime security incidents, as wartime spillovers deeply affect commercial shipping, creating tensions in energy markets.  Â
Download the full report here:
Executive SummaryÂ
Indian Ocean:
Multiple commercial vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Persian Gulf. Ten attacks on commercial vessels have been recorded this week, 9Â of which were successful hits.
Targets varied from bulk carriers to tankers, including vessels from a diverse range of flags and affiliations, even involving a Chinese vessel.
Salalah port has been targeted whilst the IRGC warns for further strikes to UAE ports.
Europe:
Swedish authorities boarded a product tanker over seaworthiness concerns, and a Greek tanker has been hit off Novorossiysk in an aerial attack.
Southeast Asia:
The cargo vessel Theresa I capsized in a de-ballasting operation, resulting in one fatality.
Key Incidents by Region
Indian Ocean
10 March 2026
Reports indicate that a bulk carrier was involved in a suspicious aerial incident about 36 nautical miles north of Abu Dhabi, UAE. The ship’s Master reportedly saw a splash and heard a loud bang nearby. Authorities are investigating, and the UKMTO has advised vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.
11 March 2026
Open sources report that the port of Salalah, Oman, was struck by unknown projectiles. Several oil tanks were damaged, and port authorities have suspended all operations while advising berthed vessels to be ready to evacuate.
11 March 2026
A cargo vessel located 11 nautical miles north of Oman in the Straits of Hormuz was reportedly hit by an unknown projectile, causing a fire onboard. The crew evacuated safely, and the fire has since been extinguished with no environmental impact, though some crew members remain unaccounted for. The UKMTO has urged vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.
11 March 2026
A Japanese-flagged container vessel, One Majesty, was reportedly struck by a suspected projectile about 25 nautical miles northwest of Ras al Khaymah, UAE. The impact was reported by the Master to the UKMTO, who noted the exact nature of the projectile and extent of the damage are under investigation. All crew members are safe and accounted for, and no environmental impact has been observed. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.
11 March 2026
The Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth was reportedly struck by an UNKNOWN PROJECTILE about 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, UAE. The Master reported the impact to the UKMTO, noting that ALL CREW are SAFE and accounted for. No environmental impact has been observed. Authorities are investigating the incident.
11 March 2026
The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was struck by an unkown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman. The impact caused a fire and damage to the engine room, temporarily trapping three crewmembers who are reported to be safe and sheltering onboard. The fire was later extinguished, and a skeleton crew remains on the vessel. Authorities are investigating the incident.
11 March 2026
Two tankers were reportedly attacked by an aerial or unmanned surface vessel (USV) about 5 nautical miles south of Basra, Iraq, causing FIRES onboard both vessels. The crew of both tankers were evacuated safely, and no environmental impact has been reported.
11 March 2026
Two fuel tankers, the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Maltese-flagged Zefyros, were attacked by Iranian forces in Iraqi waters during a ship-to-ship transfer. The IRGC struck the Saefsea Vishnu on her port side, and both vessels, carrying highly flammable cargoes of condensate and naphtha, caught fire. Video footage released by the IRGC shows the assault, after which the attackers retreated east toward Iran. Twenty-five crew members were rescued, though one crew fatality has been confirmed, and searches for any remaining personnel continue. The fires were quickly extinguished, and Iraqi authorities report that oil ports have been temporarily closed, while other cargo operations remain active.
12 March 2026
The US-owned, China-managed container ship Source Blessing was reportedly struck by an unknown projectile approximately 35 nautical miles north of Jebel Ali, UAE. The impact caused a small fire onboard, which was successfully extinguished, and all crew members are reported safe. The full extent of the damage remains unknown and will be assessed once the vessel reaches port. At the time of the incident, the ship was en route to Sohar Port, Oman, and is now anchored in the northwestern Persian Gulf. No environmental impact has been reported, and authorities are investigating.
14 March 2026
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued evacuation warnings for three major ports in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), that are linked to the United States (US). The ports include: Abu Dhabi. Dubai, and Fujairah. This warning follows the US strikes on Kharg island. The IRGC called on all residents to evacuate ports, docks and areas near U.S. military shelters to avoid civilian casualties in strikes to come
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Europe
12 March 2026
Open sources report that the product tanker Sea Owl I, sailing under a suspected false Comoros flag, was boarded and detained by the Swedish Coast Guard while transiting near Trelleborg, Sweden. The operation involved the Swedish Police National Task Force, supported by Coast Guard personnel and a police helicopter. Authorities suspect the vessel is linked to Russia's Shadow Fleet and note it is listed under EU sanctions. The boarding was conducted over suspected violations of the Maritime Act related to the vessel’s seaworthiness, and an investigation is ongoing. The tanker was reportedly sailing from Santos, Brazil, to Primorsk.
14 March 2026
Open sources report that a Greek-flagged tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile about 14 nautical miles off Novorossiysk, Russia (exact coordinates not provided). Initial information suggests the vessel was waiting for instructions to enter the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal when the incident occurred. Reports indicate the tanker suffered minor structural damage on its starboard side. According to the vessel’s owners, the tanker has since left the Novorossiysk area, and all crew members are safe.
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Southeast Asia
11 March 2026
The cargo vessel Theresa I capsized while loading at Berth 1 at Apo Cement Port, Philippines, after developing a list during a de-ballasting operation. The Philippine Coast Guard responded and rescued a crew member who had been trapped in the engine room for nearly three hours. All 19 crew members were reported safe. However, a dockworker ashore was fatally struck by a snapped mooring line during the incident. Authorities deployed around 100 meters of oil containment boom and have launched an investigation into the cause of the capsizing.
Threat Outlook
Region | Threat Level | Assessment |
Europe | Moderate | The detention of shadow fleet vessels poses no navigational risk. However, military strikes to shipping and ports in the Black Sea remains a significant threat. |
Persian Gulf | Very High | High caution is advised regarding military activity, where commercial shipping has become a clear target. Avoid at all cost. |
Southeast Asia | Low | The capsizing caused a fatality, but is not indicative of major security risks to otehr vessels. Remain alert for low-level piracy theft. |
Operational Guidance
Operators should:
Follow BMP5 transit protocols
Enhance watchkeeping and onboard vigilance
Avoid Iranian international waters
Report all incidents to:
UKMTO
MDAT-GoG
ReCAAP
IMB / IMO
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