--- title: Dryad Global Maritime Intelligence Brief — Week of 22 September 2025 description: Weekly maritime intelligence highlights U.S. naval activities in the Caribbean, typhoon impacts on Chinese ports, and rising tensions at Scarborough Shoal, affecting global shipping operations. image: https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hubfs/Dryad%20Global%20MIB%2022%20Sept%202025.jpg --- ###### 5 min read # Dryad Global Maritime Intelligence Brief — Week of 22 September 2025 By: [ Dryad Global ](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/author/dryad-global) on September 24, 2025 at 9:05 PM [maritime security risk advisory](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/tag/maritime-security-risk-advisory) [China Maritime](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/tag/china-maritime) [Dryad Global maritime intelligence](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/tag/dryad-global-maritime-intelligence) - [**](https://twitter.com/GlobalDryad) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/dryad-global/) - [**](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZSIjPkeq7iDcsj4r9TF9mg?sub_confirmation=1) ![Featured Image](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hubfs/Dryad%20Global%20MIB%2022%20Sept%202025.jpg) This week’s picture is defined by a U.S. naval surge in the southern Caribbean, major weather-driven disruption across Chinese ports, and renewed tension at Scarborough Shoal. Below we summarise the operational impacts and practical considerations for shipowners, operators, insurers and shoreside teams.  ## **Caribbean: U.S. naval surge, SOF indicators & PNT risk watch**   **What’s happening:** U.S. Southern Command expanded counter-narco operations with a **fourth Arleigh Burke–class destroyer (USS Stockdale)**, joining USS *Jason Dunham*, USS *Gravely* and cruiser USS *Lake Erie*. The U.S. Coast Guard reports substantial interdictions (e.g., **Cutter Hamilton offloaded >76,000 lbs of cocaine and other drugs**) as part of this push. Sentinel-2 imagery placed *Stockdale* at **Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Naval Base**, adding Aegis capabilities to the tasking; note its battle-tested resilience after surviving a Houthi attack in Dec 2024.  Satellite cues from **20 Sept** suggest the presence of **MV Ocean Trader** (a SOCOM “mothership”) southwest of St Kitts—capable of supporting ~200 personnel and launching small craft while blending with commercial traffic—potentially signposting **covert counter-trafficking missions** (no official confirmation). Regional observers also noted a **Trident II (D5)** ballistic-missile test on **21 Sept**, signalling strategic deterrence amid the uptick in operations.  On the commercial side, instability in **Haiti** has driven **Royal Caribbean** to suspend calls to **Labadee** until **spring 2026**, underscoring the broader shore-side security environment. Meanwhile, **UNITAS 2025** exercises and a brief spike in **GPS jamming (6–7 Sept)** near Venezuelan waters emphasise navigational resilience needs; recent GPSJAM data shows no current widescale interference, though **22 Sept** saw increased U.S. ISR flight activity. USCG and GPS.gov report **no constellation issues**, but **PNT risks persist**.  **Operator considerations** - Expect heightened **military presence and interdiction activity** in the southern Caribbean; comply promptly with hails and keep AIS, comms and documentation in order.  - Maintain **PNT resilience** (ECDIS cross-checks, radar/visual fixes, inertial backups) and log any GNSS anomalies via internal reporting lines.  - Review cruise/ro-ro **itineraries touching Haiti** and adjacent ports for changes or shore-side risk knock-ons.  ## **East Asia: Super Typhoon Ragasa drives port closures & schedule slippage** **What’s happening:** **Super Typhoon Ragasa** (central pressure **~910 hPa**, **62 m/s** max winds, seas to **~12 m**) is disrupting port operations across **Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan**. By **22 Sept**, closures included **Guangzhou** (since **20 Sept 18:00**), **Quanzhou** (since **21 Sept 10:00**), **Yuedong** (since **21 Sept 14:00**), **Fuzhou** (**22 Sept 09:30**), **Shenzhen** (**22 Sept 12:00**), and **Zhanjiang** (**22 Sept 18:00**), with **Fangchenggang** set to close **23 Sept 08:00**. Forecasts indicated sustained intensity through **23 Sept 00:00 UTC** (approx. **20.1N, 118.4E**, **920 hPa**, **58 m/s**) and **delays likely through 26 Sept**, with gradual resumption after **25 Sept** if signals ease. Expect **ripple effects** across global rotations.  **Operator considerations** - Anticipate **rollovers and bunching** on mainliner/feeder networks; engage early with terminals on berth windows and yard capacity.  - Re-sequence **export ERDs / VGM cut-offs** and notify cargo owners of **buffer-day requirements** and possible **force-majeure** declarations.    ## **South China Sea: Scarborough Shoal confrontation escalates tensions**   **What’s happening:** On **16 Sept**, two **China Coast Guard** vessels used water cannons for ~30 minutes on **BRP Datu Gumbay Piang** during a Philippine resupply for local fishing boats; the **cabin, bridge and electrical systems** were damaged and **one crew member injured**. **Manila** filed a diplomatic protest on **18 Sept**, rejecting Beijing’s claims that over 10 Philippine vessels entered waters near “Huangyan Dao.” The confrontation follows **China’s 10 Sept** designation of the atoll as a **nature reserve**—criticised by the Philippines, U.S. and allies as a **pretext for control** at a feature within the Philippine EEZ but **held by Beijing since 2012**. Philippine footage indicates CCG **blocking manoeuvres** consistent with prior access-restriction tactics.    **Operator considerations** - Maintain **safe CPA** from contested features; monitor **PCG/CCG** notices and VHF channels; expect **temporary access restrictions** and potential water-cannon use in close-quarters situations.  - Prepare bridge teams for **rapid RAS/ROE updates** via owners/CSOs when transiting the Luzon/West Philippine Sea approaches.    ## **Quick takes & trend watch** - **Caribbean:** SOUTHCOM posture and ISR tempo remain elevated; **PNT spoofing/jamming risk** is variable—keep cross-checks active.  - **East Asia:** Expect **schedule disruption** at South China coastal ports into **26 Sept** with staggered re-openings contingent on wind signals.  - **SCS:** Scarborough remains a **flashpoint**; fishing/support craft face the greatest near-term exposure, but spillover effects can touch commercial shipping.    ## **How Dryad can help** Dryad Global provides a **comprehensive suite of maritime intelligence solutions**, including a best-in-class situational awareness, planning and security system and **industry-leading maritime cyber protection tools**—helping operators fuse threat context with route, port and cyber risk decisions. To receive these updates direct, sign up for the **Maritime Intelligence Brief** and speak with our team about integrating intelligence into voyage and security workflows. 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