Maritime Incident Report: April 2025
Executive Summary
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: April 2025 covers maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, Europe, West Africa, South East Asia and South America for the period 01/04/25 – 30/04/25.
• Europe: Despite a maritime ceasefire being agreed between Russia and Ukraine, Russian attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure continued in the Black Sea. Human migration events were reported in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas.
• Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: The US and UK carried out air strikes on Houthi military infrastructure in Yemen. No maritime security incidents involving Houthi attacks on commercial shipping were reported during April. Two vessels reported Suspicious Approaches in the Gulf of Aden.
• Indian Ocean and Somali Basin: There were no maritime security incidents reported in this region during April.
• The Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman: Four ships were seized in the Persian Gulf after Iran accused them of oil and fuel smuggling. An explosion took place in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas.
• West Africa and Gulf of Guinea: In the first suspected piracy incident in Nigerian waters for over three years, an oil tanker was boarded 104nm off Brass. Three vessels reported being boarded by robbers while anchored off Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and Monrovia, Liberia.
• Southeast Asia and South China Sea: Seven ships were boarded by robbers in the Singapore Strait in April. In two separate incidents, fishermen were attacked by armed robbers in the Bay of Bengal.
• The Caribbean Sea and South America: A ship was boarded, and two crew members were abducted while drifting off Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Robberies from pleasure boats continued across the Caribbean.
1. Regional Report: Europe
Monthly Activity
Despite there being, in principle, a maritime ceasefire in place in the Black Sea, both sides have accused each other of violations of the agreement. Russia continues to carry out missile and drone attacks on the port city of Odesa, but it remains unclear if this includes direct attacks on ships in the port. It seems Russia is unlikely to agree to a complete ceasefire proposal without its demands for an end to international sanctions against Russia being met. In April, over 2500 migrants crossed the English Channel, and in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, there were human migration events reported in Libya, Greece, and Turkey.
Maritime Incidents
The Black Sea.
No Incidents to report.
1. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 03 April 2025 – Migrant Incident:
A migrant boat capsized off Lesbos, Greece. There are no reports of any survivors.
2. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 05 April 2025 – Migrant Incident:
81 migrants and two suspected smugglers were intercepted off Mugla, Turkey.
3. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 15 April 2025 – Migrant Incident:
The Greek authorities discovered two bodies on the Greek island of Farmakonisi, which were believed to be migrants.
4. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 16 April 2025 – Migrant Incident:
A migrant vessel capsized off Harawa, Libya. It is not known if there were any survivors.
5. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 16 April 2025 – Migrant Incident:
29 migrants were intercepted off Izmir, Turkey.
6. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 23 April 2025 – Migrant Incident:
26 migrants were apprehended off the coast of Izmir, Turkey.
Operational Status of Ukraine’s Black Sea Ports
•The Danube ports of Reni, Izmail and Ust-Dunaisk are open with some restrictions.
• Belgorod Dniestrovskiy is open with some restrictions.
• Odesa Port is open.
• Skadovsk port is closed.
• Chornomorsk is reported to be open. Grain export only.
• Pivdenny is open.
• The port of Berdyansk is closed.
• Mykolaiv (Olvia) Port is closed. Cargo operations are suspended for commercial operations.
• Mariupol Port is closed. The city is controlled by Russian forces, and the port is reported by the Russian military to be operational but it remains closed according to Ukraine’s Maritime Administration.
• Kherson Port is closed. Cargo operations are suspended for commercial operations.
2. Regional Report: Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea
Monthly Activity
Since launching its latest military campaign, Operation Rough Rider, on March 15, 2025, the United States has conducted over 1,000 air and naval strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The UK also engaged Houthi targets during April, raising fears that the Houthis may target US and UK-affiliated commercial shipping. However, there have been no Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the region since December 2024. During one US air strike, a tanker was damaged in Ras Isa port, Yemen. The Houthis have launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks against the US Carrier Strike Group operating in the area. The US said that none of their vessels were hit, although an F-18 Hornet was lost overboard from the aircraft carrier Harry S Truman during evasive manoeuvres. The situation remains volatile, and a resumption of Houthi attacks against commercial vessels could occur at short notice. Two suspicious approaches in the Gulf of Aden were attributed to contact with Yemen Coastguard units.
Maritime Incidents
1. The Gulf of Aden. 15 April 2025 – Suspicious Approach:
UKMTO reported an incident 100nm east of Aden, Yemen. The Master reported being followed by armed persons in multiple small craft for approximately 2 hours, with shots fired. The Master altered course towards the Yemeni coastline, and the small craft subsequently left the vicinity. All the crew are safe. The vessel proceeded to its next port of call.
2. The Gulf of Aden. 22 April 2025 – Suspicious Approach:
A tanker was transiting 15nm south of Mukalla, Yemen, when it was approached by several small craft. The craft came within 2nm but left the vicinity after 15 minutes.
3. Regional Report: The Indian Ocean and Somali Basin
Monthly Activity
Although there were no maritime security incidents reported in April, due to the opportunistic nature of pirate attacks, the risk of piracy remains a threat for all merchant vessels transiting through the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. This risk is elevated off the coast of Somalia, where unsuppressed attacks by locals against fishing vessels that they accuse of illegal fishing in Somalian territorial waters could encourage pirate gangs to attack vessels further offshore.
Maritime Incidents
No Incidents to Report.
4. Regional Report: The Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman
Monthly Activity
Two vessels, START 1 and VINTAGE, were seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (Navy), IRGC (N), and accused of smuggling diesel fuel. Two other tankers were also detained by Iranian authorities later in the month and accused of carrying out oil smuggling activities. A huge explosion took place in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. the region.
Maritime Incidents
1. The Persian Gulf. 01 April 2025 – Vessels Seized:
Two vessels, START 1 and VINTAGE, were seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (Navy), IRGC (N), and accused of smuggling diesel fuel.
2. The Persian Gulf. 22 April 2025 – Vessels Seized:
Iranian news agency Fars reported that two vessels registered in Tanzania, which were carrying out illegal smuggling activities, were seized near the central district port city of Bushehr on the Persian Gulf.
3. The Persian Gulf. 26 April 2025 – Explosion:
An explosion and fire occurred at the Port of Shahid Rajaee in southern Iran, which is part of Bandar Abbas’s larger port infrastructure, killing at least 70 people and injuring over 1,200 others. No explanation for the explosion has been forthcoming from the Iranian authorities, but some reports suggest containers holding solid fuel or nitrates for use in ballistic missiles were ignited, causing the blast.
5. Regional Report: West Africa and Gulf of Guinea
Monthly Activity
A Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker was boarded by armed men 104nm southwest of Bonny, Nigeria, in the first suspected piracy event in the Nigerian EEZ for over 3 years. Elsewhere, robbers boarded two vessels while at the Abidjan anchorages in the Ivory Coast, and another ship was boarded off Monrovia in Liberia.
Maritime Incidents
1. Gulf of Guinea. 08 April 2025 – Attempted Boarding:
While at Abidjan anchorage, a small boat was sighted near a vessel’s starboard anchor chain. One individual was observed attempting to climb the anchor chain toward the forecastle. Upon detection, the general alarm was sounded. The individual left the scene immediately.
2. Gulf of Guinea. 14 April 2025 – Boarding:
When anchored at Monrovia, Liberia, the product tanker TORM ALEXANDRA reported that a suspected robber had boarded the vessel. The Alarm was raised and a search conducted, but it was unclear if anything had been stolen. The crew was reported as safe.
3. Gulf of Guinea. 22 April 2025 – Boarding and Attempted Hijack:
The MDAT-GoG reported an incident 104nm southwest of Brass, Nigeria. The Master of a merchant vessel reported being boarded by 4 unauthorised persons from a black hull craft. Crew belongings and ship’s property were stolen. Unauthorised persons disembarked the vessel after approximately 4 hours. All crew members remained in the citadel throughout the incident and were reported as safe. The vessel proceeded to its next port of call.
4. Gulf of Guinea. 23 April 2025 – Attempted Boarding:
While at Abidjan anchorage, Ivory Coast, the containership KOTA CARUM reported an attempted boarding. Initial reports said the crew spotted one suspected robber climbing along the anchor chain. The Alarm was raised, and on hearing the alarm, the suspected robber escaped. The crew was reported as safe.
6. Regional Report: South East Asia
Monthly Activity
During April, local fishermen were attacked by robbers in two incidents in the Bay of Bengal, resulting in several people being shot and their catch and other equipment stolen. The alarming increase during 2025 in the number of vessels boarded and robbed while underway in the Singapore Strait continued in April, with robbers targeting vessels predominantly in the Phillip Channel in the west of the Strait. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported a 35% increase in boardings and robberies from vessels in the Singapore Strait during Q1 2025, compared to 2024.
Maritime Incidents
1. The Bay of Bengal. 09 April 2025 – Armed Abduction:
Two fishing trawlers were attacked by armed robbers when operating off Teknaf in Bangladeshi waters. According to the fishermen, when the fishing vessels were near the Bangladesh maritime boundary with Myanmar, armed men, suspected to be Arakan Army, Myanmar’s armed insurgent group, held the fishermen at gunpoint and abducted eleven fishermen. It is possible that the boat and the fishermen have been taken for ransom.
2. The Bay of Bengal. 09 April 2025 – Armed Attack:
At least ten fishing trawlers were attacked by armed robbers when operating off Dhalchar in Bangladeshi waters. More than fifty fishermen were injured during the attack, some with bullet wounds. The pirates looted fish and supplies before disabling the trawler’s engines, leaving the fishermen stranded at sea. The Coast Guard responded to the incident.
3. Singapore Strait. 03 April 2025 – Armed Boarding and Theft:
When transiting within the Phillip Channel, the containership, SITC YUN CHENG, was boarded by robbers. The crew reported that three perpetrators boarded the vessel armed with knives. The Alarm was raised and lashing equipment was reported stolen. The crew was reported as safe.
4. Singapore Strait. 06 April 2025 – Boarding and Theft:
While transiting within the Phillip Channel, the cargo ship SILVER STAR was boarded by sea robbers. The crew reported that five perpetrators boarded the vessel. The robbers left the vessel when the alarm was raised, and nothing was stolen. The crew was reported as safe.
5. Singapore Strait. 07 April 2025 – Boarding and Theft:
While transiting within the Phillip Channel, the oil tanker, HAFNIA HONG KONG, was boarded by robbers. The crew reported that three perpetrators boarded the vessel. The Alarm was raised and a BA compressor and four padlocks were reported stolen. The crew was reported as safe.
6. Singapore Strait. 21 April 2025 – Armed Boarding:
When transiting within the Phillip Channel, the tanker AQUARIS, was boarded by sea robbers. The crew reported that three perpetrators boarded the vessel and were spotted within the engine room armed with knives. The Alarm was raised but nothing was reported as stolen. The crew was reported as safe.
7. Singapore Strait. 22 April 2025 – Boarding and Theft:
While underway, four perpetrators armed with knives were sighted in the engine room onboard the cargo vessel, PANAGIA FORCE. The general alarm was raised and the crew conducted a search. Three crew member were found tied up in the engine room, but they were not injured. The Republic of Singapore Navy’s Maritime Security Task Force and Singapore Coast Guard were notified of the incident. Information of the incident was shared with Indonesian authorities. Engine spare parts and personal belongings were confirmed stolen.
8. Singapore Strait. 25 April 2025 – Boarding and Theft:
While transiting within the Phillip Channel, the cargo ship ASL TRINITY was boarded by a robber. The crew discovered footprints on the deck. After searching the vessel, it was discovered that engine spare parts had been stolen. Following the vessel’s anchoring, the coastguard conducted a further search on board.
9. Indonesia. 23 April 2025 – Boarding and Theft:
Jakarta Port, Indonesia. Unauthorised persons in a boat came alongside a berthed container ship. The duty AB noticed a person was trying to climb onboard via a rope. Seeing the crewman, the person retreated to his boat and escaped. A broken padlock on the steering gear room door was discovered during an inspection, but nothing was reported stolen.
6. Regional Report: South America and Caribbean
Monthly Activity
A ship that was drifting 6nm off Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was boarded by armed men who took two of the crew hostage and departed the ship. Incidents involving theft and petty crime, and in particular those targeting private yachts, remain high in the Caribbean, with four incidents reported this month.
Maritime Incidents:
1. The Caribbean. 02 April 2025 – Haiti. Boarding and Kidnap:
Around 6nm West of Port Au Prince, Haiti. Armed individuals boarded a drifting bulk carrier. They struck a crew member with a gun, causing others to seek refuge in their cabins and the engine room. The assailants then abducted two crew members before fleeing. The incident was reported to the Haitian Coast Guard.
2. The Caribbean. 04 April 2025 – Saint Martin. Robbery:
Between 2200 and 0100, an unlocked dinghy was stolen from a well-lit and occupied yacht. The dinghy was tied closely to the yacht, and the thieves boarded the swim platform to release and steal it. A police report was made on the local VHF net. A nearby yacht heard some suspicious noise, and later discovered that thieves had attempted to steal their locked outboard.
3. The Caribbean. 14 April 2025 – British Virgin Islands. Robbery:
The fuel tank from a locked dingy was stolen in Jost Van Dyke Great Harbour.
4. The Caribbean. 21 April 2025 – Saint Martin. Robbery:
Overnight at Oyster Pond, a dinghy and a 15 hp outboard were stolen from the old dinghy dock. Another locked dinghy was also stolen.
5. The Caribbean. 22 April 2025 – Curacao. Robbery:
A panga and outboard motor was stolen from a dock in Old Bank Bastimentos, the locking chain was cut. A report was made to the police and Coastguard.
For detailed root cause analysis and background to the events described in this report, talk to our Intelligence team who can provide a bespoke report focusing on maritime incidents and conflict situations that may affect your vessels and crew. Contact us at enquiries@priavosecurity.com.