Access the latest Maritime Security Threat Advisory for the week commencing 20th March 2023.

Throughout the last reporting period, maritime security incidents continue their declining trend across all key regions.

👉  Reports indicate that a vessel was fired upon whilst in transit northbound in the southern Red Sea. The incident occurred within 3nm of a further incident on the 19th May 22 in which a sailing vessel was boarded by suspected Houthi militants seeking to steal personal belongings. In both instances, both vessels were operating East of the Hanish Islands which is an area of extended war risk resulting from the presence of Houthi militants nearby. Vessels continue to be advised that all southern Red Sea transits should be conducted West of Hanish Islands as partial mitigation to this localised risk.

👉  Local reporting indicates that the Gulf of Mexico is continuing to see a sustained threat from maritime crime and piracy with local media reports indicating that 6 thefts have occurred from platforms in the Bay of Campeche within 2023. Official reporting from within the region is believed to be consistently under representative of the true number of incidents. Incidents continue to be centred upon the theft of equipment and personal effects rather than the hijack or kidnap of vessels, despite this, incidents are often reported to be violent and perpetrators are known to be well armed.

👉  Within the Black Sea, the UN sponsored Grain Deal has been renewed for a further 60 days, conditional upon sanctions reprieve against Russia. Sanctions reductions are highly unlikely. Vessels operating within the Black Sea should continue to do so mindful of heightened risk of drifting sea mines resulting from recent periods of severe weather.