Weekly Maritime Intelligence Brief – 29 September 2025

Global maritime security remains volatile this week, with significant incidents reported across the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and broader Red Sea region — highlighting the evolving risks facing commercial shipping and reinforcing the need for robust intelligence, situational awareness, and cyber resilience.

Heightened Threats in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea

Despite repeated assurances from Houthi authorities regarding maritime safety, the waters of the Southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea remain some of the most hazardous in the world. Missile attacks, crew detentions, and a renewed piracy threat continue to challenge vessel operators and global supply chains.

Missile Strike on Dutch Cargo Vessel

On 29 September 2025, the Netherlands-flagged cargo vessel M/V MINERVAGRACHT (IMO: 9571521), owned by Spliethoff, was struck by a missile while transiting the Gulf of Aden, approximately 128 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen. The impact ignited a fire onboard and injured two crew members.

A French Navy helicopter from the frigate LANGUEDOC, supported by the Greek vessel SPETSES, evacuated the injured crew to safety aboard the nearby cargo ship M/V QENDIL. Local reports indicate that the MINERVAGRACHT was sinking during the rescue.

This incident marks the second attack on the vessel in less than a week, following a near miss on 23 September, when a missile detonated nearby without causing damage. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) confirmed the ship has no Israeli affiliations — a detail of growing importance amid heightened regional tensions.

Hostage Crew Released from LPG Tanker Clipper

On 27 September, Houthi forces released the 27-member crew of the LPG tanker CLIPPER (formerly EAGLE PRIDE), who had been held hostage since 17 September following an Israeli drone strike on the Ras Isa port. The attack triggered an LPG tank explosion and fire onboard the docked vessel.

The crew — 24 Pakistanis, two Sri Lankans, and one Nepali — were forced by Houthi boats to reboard the burning vessel, where they endured food and water shortages and inadequate firefighting capabilities. Houthi media reported 12 Israeli airstrikes on the port, damaging key berths.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Foreign Office have confirmed the crew’s safe release and departure from Yemeni waters.

Piracy Concerns Persist

On 22 September, the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier M/V OCEAN KNIGHT (IMO: 9453248) reported being approached by multiple skiffs in the Arabian Sea while en route from Salalah, Oman, to Singapore. The crew retreated to the citadel, and the skiffs abandoned their pursuit shortly after.

No damage or injuries were reported, but the incident reflects ongoing opportunistic piracy activity in high-risk shipping corridors east of the Gulf of Aden — a reminder that traditional maritime threats continue to intersect with emerging geopolitical risks.

Cyber Threats and Hybrid Risks on the Rise

Maritime security is no longer defined solely by physical threats. This week’s intelligence also highlights the increasing cyber risk landscape facing shipping operators and port infrastructure worldwide:

• CISA reported a federal agency breach via a critical GeoServer vulnerability.

• Iran-linked threat groups have launched new malware campaigns targeting European organisations.

• Google Ads are being exploited to distribute Trojan malware disguised as TradingView Premium.

• A wave of Cisco zero-day exploits is targeting network firewalls and IOS infrastructure.

• Fake distress calls and spoofing incidents are complicating global search-and-rescue operations.

The convergence of physical and digital threats means maritime organisations must now integrate cyber defence into their broader risk management strategies — a critical step in safeguarding vessel operations, cargo integrity, and shore-side infrastructure.

Global Security Flashpoints

Beyond the Gulf of Aden, several other developments underscore the complex and interconnected nature of global maritime security:

• France’s Navy seized 10 tonnes of cocaine off West Africa, highlighting persistent organised crime networks exploiting maritime routes.

• Customs officials at Piraeus were detained amid the discovery of a large-scale smuggling ring.

• U.S. intelligence assessments warn of Chinese preparations for a Taiwan invasion, while Beijing has deployed two XXL-class uncrewed submarines to the South China Sea.

• A U.S. guided-missile submarine made a rare port call in the Philippines, signalling increasing regional deterrence activity.

• A drone strike on a Russian oil refinery and continued migrant crossings in the English Channel underscore the broader geopolitical volatility shaping maritime risk.

Key Takeaways

• Maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden remains critical, with escalating missile threats and piracy risks.

• Crew safety and vessel resilience are increasingly dependent on rapid intelligence, real-time threat monitoring, and collaborative naval response.

• Cybersecurity is now a core maritime security challenge, requiring proactive defence measures across vessel and port systems.

• Global geopolitical shifts — from China’s naval ambitions to organised crime and energy infrastructure strikes — continue to shape the maritime risk landscape.

Empowering Smarter Maritime Decisions

At Dryad Global, our mission is to help shipping companies, insurers, and maritime security teams anticipate, assess, and mitigate risk. Our comprehensive intelligence solutions — from threat monitoring and incident analysis to cyber defence and voyage planning tools — are designed to give you the clarity and confidence needed to navigate today’s complex maritime environment.