Dryad Global: Geopolitical tensions continue to shape maritime landscape

Dryad Global has released a security advisory offering a 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.

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.

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.