Maritime Security Threat Advisory 28 April 2025

Welcome to this week’s Maritime Security Threat Advisory (MSTA) from Dryad Global, providing essential updates on the key incidents impacting the global maritime environment.

Nigeria: Rising Piracy Threat Amid Political Crisis

On 21 April 2025, two piracy incidents were reported off Nigeria’s coast near Brass, approximately 100 nautical miles offshore.

• KAPODISTRIAS 21 was boarded by four armed personnel, reportedly linked to the Nigerian Navy.

• SEA PANTHER was attacked by six pirates who looted the vessel and attempted to breach its citadel, staying onboard for four hours.

These incidents occur amid heightened instability in Rivers State, following President Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration in March 2025. With local governance suspended and growing unrest among former militants, there is a moderate to high risk of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea returning to peak levels seen in 2020.

The potential disruption of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), economic hardship, and weak offshore security may contribute to a further escalation in maritime crime.

Dryad Global’s assessment: Vigilance is essential. Regional security efforts like the Deep Blue Project and Combined Maritime Task Force initiatives may mitigate risks, but political deterioration could accelerate a piracy resurgence.

Iran: Explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port Disrupts Trade

On 26 April 2025, a massive explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas killed at least 65 people and injured over 1,200, severely impacting the country’s largest container hub.

The cause is suspected to be improperly stored chemicals used in rocket fuel.

While partial operations resumed on 27 April, ongoing fires and emergency response efforts continue to strain capacity. Given that Shahid Rajaee handles 80–85% of Iran’s container traffic, the economic and supply chain consequences are expected to last for weeks.

Dryad Global’s assessment: Operators should anticipate continued disruption to Iran’s maritime trade flows and monitor for further developments regarding safety and operational risks at the port.

Spain and Portugal: Major Power Outage Hits Ports

On 28 April 2025, Spain and Portugal suffered a widespread power outage, severely affecting Madrid, Lisbon, and other major cities.

• Airport operations faced significant delays.

• Port activities reliant on electrical systems, including cargo handling and logistics, were also likely impacted.

The restoration of full power is estimated to take up to a week, raising concerns over supply chain delays across the Iberian Peninsula. Ports including Algeciras, Valencia, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Sines are at risk of operational disruption.

Dryad Global’s assessment: Shippers and operators should prepare for delays and potential congestion. Backup power systems are currently in use, but extended outages could have global ripple effects on maritime trade.

Global Maritime Incident Trends

Dryad Global continues to monitor maritime security trends across key regions:

Stay Informed

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