Maritime Incident Report: February 2026
Executive Summary
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: February 2026 covers maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, Europe, West Africa, South East Asia and South America for the period 01/02/26 – 28/01/26.
• Europe: There was a significant reduction in conflict-related incidents in the Black Sea and in irregular migration events in the Mediterranean Sea. Migrant crossings were the lowest in over 12months, this is thought to be due to adverse weather conditions.
• Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: Yemen authorities reported that a wooden cargo vessel struck a mine off Al Salif port near Hodeida. A commercial ship was approached by armed men in a small boat near the Bab el Mandeb Strait. Electronic interference with ship’s navigation aids continues in the Red Sea.
• Indian Ocean and Somali Basin: An Iranian fishing vessel was attacked off Gamaal, Somalia. It was reported that at least one of the attackers was killed in the hijacking attempt. In another incident, a fishing vessel was boarded by armed men close to the shore off Hafun, Somalia.
• The Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman: The US and Israel launched airstrikes against targets in Iran. Iran has responded with retaliatory attacks across the Gulf region and wider afield. Vessels have been attacked in and near the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. Electronic interference persists and is likely to increase as military action escalates.
• West Africa and Gulf of Guinea: A large group of fishermen were attacked by armed criminals and robbed of their possessions near Accra, Ghana. An attempted boarding was made to place on a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel anchored approximately 50 nm west of Cabinda. Over 400 migrants of West African origin were intercepted or rescued in the Canary Islands.
• Southeast Asia and South China Sea: Two robbery incidents took place in the Singapore Strait. There were no other maritime security incidents reported in the region during February.
• Latin America, South America and the Caribbean Sea: U.S. forces continue to target boats they say are involved in narcotics trafficking. Two U.S. naval vessels collided during replenishment at sea operations. The Caribbean Safety and Security Network (CSSN) reported at least five incidents involving theft and other criminal activity across the Caribbean in February.
1. Regional Report: Europe
Monthly Activity
Conflict-related activity continued in the Black Sea, although at a lower intensity than in recent months. Ukraine carried out attacks on the ports of Novorossiysk and Taman while Russia hit targets in Odesa, Chornomorsk and Izmail on the Danube River. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was found drifting off the coast of Turkey in the southern Black Sea. The number of irregular migration events was reduced by adverse weather conditions.
Maritime Incidents
1. The Black Sea. 7 February 2026 – Missile Attack:
The Russian Federation Navy launched Kalibr missiles from two vessels offshore Novorossiysk in the Black Sea. According to local reporting, vessels each fired a full salvo of missiles as part of a coordinated aviation-led attack on targets in Ukraine.
2. The Black Sea. 8 February 2026 – Missile Attack:
Explosions were reported at Novorossiysk port, Russia. Local reporting from both Russian and Ukrainian sources indicated that missiles and UAVs were used in the attack. A video of the explosions was circulated, which appears to show impacts in the vicinity of the naval base at Novorossiysk.
3. The Black Sea. 13 February 2026 – Missile Attack:
The port of Odesa was reportedly hit in an overnight Russian missile strike. There are reports of at least one fatality and several injuries.
4. The Black Sea. 14 February 2026 – Attack:
The port of Taman, Russia, was targeted during a Ukrainian military operation. According to local reports, the strike led to a fire that damaged an oil storage tank, a warehouse, and terminals. Two people were reportedly injured in the attack.
5. The Black Sea. 27 February 2026 – Drone Attack:
The port of Chornomorsk, Ukraine, was reportedly hit in a Russian drone attack. According to reports, quoting local authorities, some containers and other port facilities suffered damage in the attack.
6. The Black Sea. 27 February 2026 – Drone Attack:
A drone attack was reported at the port of Izmail, Ukraine. According to the local authorities, both port infrastructure and civilian buildings were damaged. Two civilian injuries are reported.
7. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 02 February 2026 – Irregular Migration (Spain):
On a beach in the town of Mojácar, north of Carboneras, the emergency services rescued three groups of 42, 40 and 30 migrants, bringing the total number of migrants taken into care and transported to reception centres to 133.
8. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 10 February 2026 – Irregular Migration (Tunisia):
A ship working for the NGO humanitarian group Solidaire rescued 30 migrants 35 nautical miles southeast of the Kerkennah Islands in the Tunisian SRR. On its way to Ravenna, the port designated by the Italian authorities for the disembarkation of migrants, it also rescued around 90 other migrants.
9. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 12 February 2026 – Irregular Migration (Italy):
Approximately 120 individuals were rescued by an NGO vessel. The ship transited to Ravenna after successfully rescuing a group of migrants in the middle of the Mediterranean. The German-flagged vessel is expected to make a prolonged journey, as it has remained off the coast of Sicily for several days.
10. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 18 February 2026 – Irregular Migration (Spain):
14 migrants from the Maghreb were rescued off the coast of Tarifa (Cádiz) while attempting to reach shore in three inflatable boats.
11. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 21 February 2026 – Irregular Migration (Greece):
A major search and rescue operation is underway south of Crete following the capsizing of a wooden boat carrying dozens of migrants during an attempted boarding of a commercial vessel in strong winds. While 20 people were rescued and three bodies were recovered, 25 people are still missing. Meanwhile, a second vessel carrying 67 migrants from Bangladesh and Sudan was safely intercepted in the same area. Local authorities and Frontex are continuing to search for survivors.
12. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 22 February 2026 – Irregular Migration (Libya):
The bodies of seven migrants, including three children, were found on a beach 70 km from Tripoli. This discovery adds to several others made last week, five on the Libyan coast and 15 on the Italian coast. Several bodies were reportedly found at sea in the area by NGOs at the same time.
13. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 22 February 2026 – Irregular Migration (Malta):
The OCEAN VIKING (Norwegian flag), operated by NGO SOS Méditerranée, came to the rescue of 147 migrants.
14. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 23 February 2026 – Irregular Migration (Spain):
Local authorities rescued migrants during three separate incidents, including 31 individuals rescued from a vessel that collided with rocks, requiring immediate aid for hypothermia. Additional groups of North African migrants were intercepted in the S’Estufador and Es Ram areas, bringing the total to 57 individuals found within a few hours.
15. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 25 February 2026 – Irregular Migration (Spain):
126 migrants of sub-Saharan and Maghrebi origin were rescued from seven boats near the Balearic Islands. Operations in Mallorca, Ibiza, and Formentera ensured the migrants were safely transferred and received medical care.
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.
• Yuzhny/Pivdennyi 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: The Red Sea and Gulf Of Aden
Monthly Activity
Yemeni authorities reported that a wooden cargo vessel struck a mine while transiting off the coast near Al Salif port, near Hodeida. Ships continue to experience electronic interference in the Red Sea, with GPS jamming and spoofing events persisting, particularly off the coast of Sudan. The Houthis have not carried out an attack against commercial shipping in the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden since September 2025; however, a recent Houthi press release alluded to retaliatory action against commercial ships if the US attacks Iran. This is likely to include US-linked vessels and those operated or owned by countries deemed to be supporting the US.
Maritime Incidents
1. The Red Sea. 1 February 2026 – Mine Explosion:
The Yemeni Ministry of the Interior announced that a wooden cargo ship had been hit by a mine while passing off the coast of Et-Tarfa Island in the Red Sea, near the Houthi-controlled port of Es-Salif. Four of the 14 crew members (Yemeni) were killed, and the others were injured, some seriously. The ship had arrived from Djibouti and had stopped at the port of Muha for inspection before continuing on to Salif. The nature of the mine and its origin are unknown.
2. The Red Sea. 17 February 2026 – Maritime Incident (shots fired):
A skiff with 5 armed people onboard approached a vessel. The skiff hailed the merchant vessel on VHF and ordered it to stop, and they discharged their weapons into the air to enforce the order. The merchant vessel changed course and increased the distance from the skiff. All crew are safe. This is thought likely to be an encounter with local Yemeni militia.
3. Regional Report: The Indian Ocean and Somali Basin
Monthly Activity
Two piracy-related events were recorded off the coast of Somalia in February. In one incident, a fishing vessel was taken by local criminals off the town of Hafun, and the boat was reportedly taken to the Dardara coastal region. In a second incident, it was reported that a suspected pirate gang operating in 2 skiffs left Garmaal, Somalia and attempted to attack an Iranian vessel on the high seas with the intention of hijacking it for use as a mothership. The attackers met strong resistance from the crew of the fishing vessel, resulting in one pirate being killed and two others injured.
Maritime Incidents
1. The Indian Ocean. 3 February 2026 – Vessel hijacked:
A small fishing boat could have been boarded by 4 intruders off Hafun the 3rd of February. The boat was reportedly taken to the Dardara coastal area.
2. The Indian Ocean. 26 February 2026 – Vessel attacked:
A group of suspected pirates operating 2 skiffs departed from the coastal area of Garmaal and attempted to attack an Iranian vessel on the high seas with the intention of hijacking it for use as a mothership. The targeted vessel mounted strong resistance against the attackers. As a result of the confrontation, one pirate was killed and two others were injured. Following the failed attempt, the pirate group fled toward the seashore.
4. Regional Report: The Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman
Monthly Activity
On 28 February – 1 March, the United States and Israel launched a major coordinated military offensive against Iran. In response, Iran has carried out retaliatory attacks using drones and missiles against US military bases and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI, such as ports and airports) in the region in countries it believes are supporting or facilitating US and Israeli military activity. Iran has also attempted to destabilise (successfully) the flow of shipping in the Arabian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz (SOH) by increasing attacks on ships with drones and using electronic interference affecting ships’ navigation aids. Iranian forces have contacted ships by VHF to claim the Strait of Hormuz is closed. It was reported that a Palau-flagged tanker and at least three other commercial ships have been struck by an unknown projectile; there are no confirmed reports of casualties. It is likely that many ships will return to their port of origin or divert their route to avoid the situation. Ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, and Oman, as well as in Salalah and Duqm, have been attacked (1 March).
Maritime Incidents
1. The Strait of Hormuz. 3 February 2026 – Suspicious Activity:
UKMTO reported that the Master of a US-flagged vessel stated that they had been hailed on VHF by a large number of small armed boats, requesting the vessel to stop (exact position not specified). The Master has ignored the request, and the vessel has continued on its planned route.
5. Regional Report: West Africa and Gulf of Guinea
Monthly Activity
Seven fishing boats operating off the coast of Senya Bereku, Ghana, were attacked by armed gunmen who stole outboard motors and generator sets from the fishing boats. The fishermen we left stranded had to be rescued by the Ghanaian navy. An attempted robbery took place on an FPSO vessel operating 50 nm west of Cabinda. Over 400 human migrants were rescued or intercepted in the waters surrounding the Canary Islands.
Maritime Incidents
1. Gulf of Guinea. 5 February 2026 – Attempted Boarding (Offshore Cabinda):
The FPSO, ARMADA OLOMBENDO, located at about 50 nm west of Cabinda coast, in Angola water, reported that one intruder attempted to board by climbing one of the mooring chains. The intruder came from a local fishing boat carrying approximately five fishermen. It was a typical wooden fishing vessel of the region, approximately 8 meters in length. No weapons were observed. The intruder was spotted while already on the chain. As soon spotted the intruder immediately jumped into the water, swam back to his boat, which then fled the area. The vessel could not be identified.
2. Gulf of Guinea. 26 February 2026 – Attack and Theft (Ghana):
When operating off the coast of Senya Bereku, Ghanaian waters, seven fishing boats came under attack by unidentified gunmen. Armed men opened fire and stole outboard motors and generator sets from boats. The identities of the attackers were not known but they were said to have operated “a black boat”. Search and Rescue operation were launched to rescue the drifting boats. The 71 fishermen aboard were reported safe but their vessels were looted.
3. The Atlantic Ocean. 6 February 2026 – Migration Incident (Canary Islands):
The Spanish Salvamento Marítimo successfully rescued a cayuco carrying 44 immigrants near the coast of Tenerife.
4. The Atlantic Ocean. 10 February 2026 – Migration Incident (Canary Islands):
A cayuco carrying 144 migrants, including nine women and two minors, arrived at La Restinga port in El Hierro.
5. The Atlantic Ocean. 16 February 2026 – Migration Incident (Canary Islands):
A boat carrying 143 migrants, including 72 minors, was rescued 14 nautical miles off the coast of La Gomera by the Guardia Civil and Salvamento Marítimo.
6. The Atlantic Ocean. 17 February 2026 – Migration Incident (Canary Islands):
The Spanish Maritime Rescue services intercepted an inflatable boat carrying 60 migrants, seven of whom were women, sailing about 33 miles southwest of Morro Jable (Fuerteventura). The Civil Guard reported that the boat had left Tarfaya, Morrocco and was heading towards the Canary Islands.
7. The Atlantic Ocean. February 2026 – Migration Incident (Western Sahara):
The Royal Moroccan Navy intercepted a cayuco-type boat carrying 189 migrants off the coast of Dakhla.
8. The Atlantic Ocean. 25 February 2026 – Migration Incident (Canary Islands:
Local authorities rescued 21 men, 18 from the Maghreb and three from sub-Saharan Africa, from an inflatable boat spotted 18 kilometres south of Gran Canaria. The patrol boat intercepted the vessel and transferred the group to the port of Arguineguín for medical assistance.
6. Regional Report: South East Asia
Monthly Activity
Two robbery incidents were reported in the Singapore Strait last month. A cargo vessel and a laden barge were boarded by criminals who stole scrap metal and items of ship’s equipment. No other security events were reported across the region.
Maritime Incidents
1. Singapore Strait. 20 February 2026 – Boarding and Theft:
The Singapore Strait. Fourteen individuals in six boats approached a laden barge under tow. Eight individuals boarded the barge, stole some of the scrap metal cargo, and transferred it to their boats. The captain notified the VTIS, changed course towards Malaysia waters, resulting in the individuals moving away. The vessel the resumed to its journey.
2. Singapore Strait. 27 February 2026 – Armed Boarding and Robbery:
When transiting the Phillip Channel, the cargo vessel TAZ, reported a boarding. Vessel boarded by sea robbers. The crew spotted 5 perpetrators ( One armed with knife) in the engine room. The alarm was raised. onboard. One mobile phone was stolen.
6. Regional Report: South America and Caribbean
Monthly Activity
U.S. forces destroyed a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean. An oil tanker suspected of being involved in the illicit trade in Venezuelan oil was detained off the Dutch-administered island of St Eustatius. The Caribbean Safety and Security Network (CSSN) reported five incidents of robbery of pleasure craft and equipment across the Caribbean Sea in February. Events occurred across the region, including Sint Marteen, Panama, Tortola (BVI), and Saint Martin.
Maritime Incidents:
1. The Caribbean. 3 February 2026 – Theft (Saint Martin FR):
A cruising family was exiting the lagoon via dinghy when adolescent male youths on the bridge began dropping rocks onto them, striking one adult on the top of his head. An ambulance was called, provided some emergency care, and then transported the injured man to the hospital where he was treated and released. A police report was made.
2. The Caribbean. 8 February 2026 – Theft (Tortola BVI):
A monohull anchored in Ber Bay, Tortola. The crew locked the yacht and went to explore the nearby area by dinghy. Overnight 30 gallons of fuel in their starboard tank was siphoned/stolen. A police report was made.
3. The Caribbean. 9 February – Oil Smuggling (St Eustatius NL):
An oil tanker linked to Venezuela’s oil trade have been detained in the Dutch Caribbean. The vessel has previously carried Venezuelan oil.
4. The Caribbean. 16 February – Theft (Sint Maarten NL):
A cruiser’s dinghy was locked to the Sint Maarten Yacht Club (SMYC) dinghy dock, and the engine was locked to the dinghy. Overnight thieves stole the outboard and left the tools they used on the dock. Security footage shows 2 men loading the engine into a white van in the parking lot.
5. The Caribbean. 20 February 2026 – Theft (Panama):
A monohull anchored off Bug Island in the Hollandaises. When they awoke the next morning, a fishing rod and a sharp knife had been stolen from the cockpit.
6. The Caribbean. 23 February 2026 – Narcotics Activity (Colombia):
The US Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action.
7. The Caribbean. 28 February 2026 – Theft (Curacao NL):
Overnight a small fishing boat berthed at Royal Marine was stolen, the engine and fuel tank removed, and then sunk nearby where the owner found it. The engine had been through bolted to the transom and welded. A second lock thru the transom clamps was also defeated. A report was made to the marina, police and to the port captain.