Topic
maritime security
Logistics Houthis Keep Up Pressure on Saudi Shipping with Fourth Tanker Attack Amid Partial Red Sea Recovery
Yemen's Houthis attacked the 49,990 dwt tanker NCC Ghazal, the fourth Saudi-linked vessel targeted since declaring a blockade. Despite a partial recovery in traffic through Bab el-Mandeb, crossings remain volatile with no VLCCs or LNG carriers. The Joint Maritime Information Center has raised the threat level to substantial.
Commodities Crude oil tops $96 as Houthis target Saudi tankers in Red Sea
Brent crude futures surged above $96 per barrel on Thursday following reports that Iran-backed Houthis attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. US military strikes on Iranian assets and an EIA report showing a build in US crude inventories added to market dynamics.
Logistics Sharp Decrease in Asia Armed Robbery Against Ships in First Half of 2026
A new report from the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre reveals a 64% drop in armed robbery against ships in Asian waters during the first half of 2026, with only 35 incidents reported. The decline is attributed to effective preventive measures and law enforcement responses, though Philippine ports saw a surge from zero to 10 incidents. The Strait of Malacca and Singapore Strait remain the most affected area, accounting for 60% of all incidents.
Somali Pirates Seize Tanker Off Yemen and Steer It Towards Puntland, Reviving Maritime Security Concerns
Suspected Somali pirates have hijacked the Tanzanian-flagged chemical tanker Asana off Yemen and steered it towards Puntland, Somalia. The vessel was seized on Friday after departing Mukalla, with seven armed pirates on board. This incident underscores a sustained revival of Somali piracy in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean, posing direct operational risks for vessels in the region.
Logistics Iran Primes Houthis to Shut Bab el-Mandeb, Risking Global Shipping Disruption
Iran has reportedly asked Yemen's Houthi movement to prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the US attacks Iranian power infrastructure. Missiles and drones have been deployed near the strategic waterway, according to sources. The move threatens to choke a critical chokepoint for global trade, forcing further diversions around Africa and driving up freight costs.
Logistics Singapore Strait crackdown sends Asian sea robberies to seven-year low
Reported piracy and armed robbery in Asian waters fell to a seven-year low in the first half of 2026, with 35 incidents recorded – a 64% drop from 96 a year earlier. The decline was driven by a successful crackdown in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS), where incidents plunged 74% to 21. However, Philippine ports and anchorages saw a spike to 10 incidents from zero, while crews remained unharmed in most cases. The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre attributed the improvement to industry prevention measures and law enforcement cooperation.
Logistics Container Ship Attacked in Strait of Hormuz as Iran Widens War, Disrupting Global Trade
Iran attacked the container ship GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz, setting it afire and forcing crew to abandon ship. Iran declared the strait closed to vessel traffic and expanded missile/drone attacks on several Gulf states. Energy prices surged, and Maersk's planned Suez restart is threatened.
Logistics Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Tanker Attacks Trigger US Strikes, Threat Level Raised to 'Severe'
Three tanker attacks in 24 hours — including a Qatari LNG carrier and a Saudi-linked VLCC — have pushed the Strait of Hormuz back into crisis mode. The US responded with strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, and the Joint Maritime Information Center raised the threat level to 'severe'. The escalation reverses a fragile recovery from last month's ceasefire and threatens commercial shipping through the vital waterway.
Logistics Projectile strike near Strait of Hormuz tests fragile recovery of commercial shipping
A tanker was struck by an unknown projectile near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, testing the fragile recovery of commercial shipping following last month's US-Iran ceasefire. The incident occurred near the US-coordinated southern transit corridor off Oman, and authorities continue to warn of a 'substantial' maritime security threat. Meanwhile, bulk carriers carrying sulphur face severe corrosion risks from prolonged delays.
Logistics Cargo Vessel Attacked by Armed Assailants Off Yemen, Raising Red Sea Security Alarms
A bulk carrier was attacked by armed assailants approximately 30 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, Yemen, on July 6, 2026. The vessel's armed security team returned fire, and the attackers withdrew. No group claimed responsibility, but the incident highlights persistent Houthi and piracy threats in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Piracy Hostages Face Worsening Conditions Off Somalia as Resurgence Threatens Shipping
The Palau-flagged tanker Honour 25, hijacked on April 24, 2026, remains under pirate control with its 17 crew facing deteriorating conditions — food reduced to rice, unsafe water, and five crew including the master suffering health problems. Regional maritime security states, via the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment, have issued an urgent appeal for action, as the crews of the Sward and Eureka also remain captive. The incident underscores a resurgence of piracy in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, with two more attacks reported.
Logistics Machine Guns on Russian LNG Carrier in the Baltic Raise Security Alarms for Shipping
The Russian LNG carrier Marshal Vasilevskiy was photographed in May with two 12.7 mm Kord heavy machine guns mounted on its bridge as it transited the Baltic Sea, according to an OCCRP investigation. At least 22 individuals with military or security service backgrounds were identified aboard, raising concerns about the militarisation of commercial shipping and its implications for maritime security and sanctions enforcement.
Logistics Hormuz Hotline Opens Between US and Iran but Strait Remains Closed to Shipping
Qatar and Pakistan announced a direct US-Iran communication channel for the Strait of Hormuz following talks in Switzerland, but Iran's Fars News Agency reported the strait remains closed. HSBC cautioned shipping normalisation will lag, while BRS described the situation as a false start after a brief rise in traffic.
Logistics Strait of Hormuz Reopening Clouded by Diplomatic Cracks and Mine Risks, BIMCO Warns
The Strait of Hormuz recorded 17 transits on Thursday and two more early Friday, tentative signs of reopening after nearly four months. However, diplomatic cracks between the US and Iran over the ceasefire MOU and continued mine risks are prompting BIMCO to warn shipowners to wait for safe passage guarantees.
Logistics Strait of Hormuz Reopening: Mine Clearance Delays Threaten Weeks-Long Recovery for Oil Shipping
The US-Iran tentative agreement ends the three-month Middle East conflict, but the Strait of Hormuz faces a slow recovery due to mine clearance and shipping bottlenecks. Over 20% of global oil supply was disrupted, with 500 vessels stranded. Shipping resumes gradually, with analysts warning of weeks to months for normal flows.
Logistics UK Forces Seize Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker in English Channel, Prompting Calls to Arm Vessels
British forces conducted their first-ever seizure of a Russian shadow fleet tanker, the Smyrtos, in the English Channel, arresting an Indian seafarer on suspicion of sanctions offences. The operation has caused other sanctioned tankers to alter course away from the Channel. In response, Russian Senator Dmitry Rogozin suggested equipping shadow fleet tankers with explosives as a deterrent.
Trade India, UK Strengthen Ties with New Trade Initiatives
India and the UK have launched new initiatives to enhance cooperation in critical minerals and maritime security. These efforts aim to strengthen bilateral trade and ensure resilient supply chains.