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Maritime Security Intelligence Brief – Week of 7 July 2025


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As geopolitical tensions and regional instabilities continue to shape the global maritime landscape, Dryad Global’s latest Maritime Intelligence Brief offers a comprehensive snapshot of threat levels, key developments, and regional incident trends across critical shipping routes.

This week’s update underscores a complex and evolving threat picture, especially in regions like the Red Sea, West Africa, and the Indian Ocean. Here’s a breakdown of the key insights and developments as of 7 July 2025:

 

Red Sea Escalation: Houthi Targeting of Merchant Vessels

  • On 4 July, the Liberian-flagged box carrier MT EETEVIVYC was struck by Houthi forces while transiting southbound through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

  • The attack, conducted using an unmanned surface vessel (USV), marks the first confirmed Houthi USV strike since their maritime campaign began.

  • This reflects an ongoing shift in tactics by the Houthis, now deploying increasingly sophisticated means (missiles, USVs, UAVs) to disrupt Red Sea shipping.

  • The vessel sustained hull damage but remained operational and diverted to Djibouti.

  • The incident follows a pattern of escalating aggression amid ongoing Western-led coalition patrols, with commercial vessels advised to maintain heightened alertness.

 

West Africa: Stability Amid Persistent Threat

  • No maritime security incidents were reported off West Africa this week.

  • Historical data highlights a notable decline in kidnapping events, down to zero in 2023 from a peak in 2020.

  • However, robbery and approach attempts remain persistent, especially near anchorages in Nigeria and Cameroon.

  • As Dryad continues to assess trends, the region remains a moderate risk zone for maritime operations, with crew vigilance and layered security measures recommended.

 

Indian Ocean: Mixed Signals

  • In the Indian Ocean, data shows a decrease in boarding incidents (-21%) but an alarming increase in attacks (+200%) and hijackings (+100%) over the past year.

  • The use of drones and small craft in piracy and smuggling operations remains a concern in Gulf of Aden and Somali waters.

  • Vessels transiting the high-risk area (HRA) are advised to remain within industry-recommended transit corridors and adhere to BMP5 best practices.

 

Southeast Asia: Boarding & Robbery Persist

  • The region continues to record high levels of boarding incidents, although there has been a 48.4% decrease in robbery incidents from 2022 to 2024.

  • Key hotspots include the Singapore Strait and Indonesian anchorages.

  • While incidents are often opportunistic, there is still risk to crew safety and operational delays.

 

Regional Risk Trends at a Glance

  • West Africa: Robbery remains the dominant threat; kidnapping has dropped significantly.

  • Indian Ocean: Increased attacks and hijackings highlight volatility.

  • Southeast Asia: Boarding remains the most common threat, though declining in frequency.

 

🌍 Global Impact Map – Risk & Intelligence Ratings

  • Critical risk zones: Yemen, Southern Red Sea, parts of Somalia, and Sudan.

  • Severe risk areas: Syria, Iraq, Nigeria’s Niger Delta, and the Gulf of Guinea.

  • Moderate-to-elevated threats: Persist in the Caribbean (Haiti), North Africa, and some parts of Southeast Asia.

Dryad’s Secure Voyager Hub remains the go-to platform for up-to-date threat assessments, real-time alerts, and intelligence-driven voyage planning tools. The interactive dashboard enables shipowners, CSOs, and logistics professionals to make smarter, faster decisions in high-risk operating environments.

 

Empowering Smarter Decisions at Sea

 

Dryad Global’s intelligence supports critical operational awareness—backed by secure data analysis, expert context, and industry-leading risk mapping. From route planning to crisis response, we equip maritime professionals with the tools they need to stay ahead of evolving threats.

 

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