Maritime Security Intelligence Brief – Week of 7 July 2025

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 7 July, the Liberian-flagged box carrier MV ETERNITY C 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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