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
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On 4 July, the Liberian-flagged box carrier MT EETEVIVYC was struck by Houthi forces while transiting southbound through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
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The attack, conducted using an unmanned surface vessel (USV), marks the first confirmed Houthi USV strike since their maritime campaign began.
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This reflects an ongoing shift in tactics by the Houthis, now deploying increasingly sophisticated means (missiles, USVs, UAVs) to disrupt Red Sea shipping.
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The vessel sustained hull damage but remained operational and diverted to Djibouti.
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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
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No maritime security incidents were reported off West Africa this week.
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Historical data highlights a notable decline in kidnapping events, down to zero in 2023 from a peak in 2020.
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However, robbery and approach attempts remain persistent, especially near anchorages in Nigeria and Cameroon.
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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
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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.
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The use of drones and small craft in piracy and smuggling operations remains a concern in Gulf of Aden and Somali waters.
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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
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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.
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Key hotspots include the Singapore Strait and Indonesian anchorages.
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While incidents are often opportunistic, there is still risk to crew safety and operational delays.
Regional Risk Trends at a Glance
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West Africa: Robbery remains the dominant threat; kidnapping has dropped significantly.
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Indian Ocean: Increased attacks and hijackings highlight volatility.
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Southeast Asia: Boarding remains the most common threat, though declining in frequency.
🌍 Global Impact Map – Risk & Intelligence Ratings
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Critical risk zones: Yemen, Southern Red Sea, parts of Somalia, and Sudan.
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Severe risk areas: Syria, Iraq, Nigeria’s Niger Delta, and the Gulf of Guinea.
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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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