Maritime Incident Report: June 2025
Executive Summary
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: June 2025 covers maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, Europe, West Africa, South East Asia and South America for the period 01/06/25 – 30/06/25.
• Europe: In what appears to be an act of sabotage, a crude oil tanker suffered a significant explosion off the coast of Libya. An increase in the number of human migration events was reported, particularly in the western Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea.
• Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: The Houthis conducted missile attacks on targets in Israel, but no attacks were reported on commercial shipping during June.
• Indian Ocean and Somali Basin: No incidents were reported in this region.
• The Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman: The U.S. and Israeli bombing of targets in Iran raised concerns that Iran may attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz. Two ships collided at night in the Gulf of Oman, prompting speculation that it was the result of navigational aid interference.
• West Africa and Gulf of Guinea: A vessel was boarded in Luanda, Angola, and ship’s equipment was stolen. Over 340 human migrants were rescued in five incidents in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of West Africa.
• Southeast Asia and South China Sea: The boarding and theft from vessels in the Singapore Strait continued unabated.
• The Caribbean Sea and South America: Robberies from pleasure boats continued throughout the Caribbean region.
1. Regional Report: Europe
Monthly Activity
The Malta-flagged crude oil tanker VILAMOURA suffered a significant blast off the Libyan coast near Benghazi. The explosion caused severe flooding in the engine room, rendering the vessel uncontrollable until it was towed to safety. Initial assessments suggest a limpet mine was the cause of the explosion. In the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, an increase in human migration events was reported, with migration incidents occurring in Spain, Tunisia, Malta, Greece, and Turkey, resulting in the interception or rescue of an estimated 1000 migrants. There were no maritime security incidents reported in the Black Sea during June.
Maritime Incidents
1. Libya. 29 June 2025 – Explosion:
The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker VILAMOURA left the Libyan port of Zuetina to head to Gibraltar with 1 million barrels of oil when there was an explosion in the engine room. It is suggested that a limpet mine caused the explosion. This is the fifth event in a series of similar incidents on ships that had previously called at Russian oil terminals.
2. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 06 – 7 June 2025 – Migrant Incident (Greece):
358 migrants were rescued during seven operations near Gavdos, Greece.
3. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 07 June 2025 – Migrant Incident (Tunisia):
An NGO’s sailing boat rescued 50 migrants off the coast of Tunisia.
4. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 08 June 2025 – Migrant Incident (Malta):
An NGO’s sailing boat rescued 95 migrants off the coast of Malta.
5. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 15 June 2025 – Migrant Incident (Spain):
Spanish authorities rescued 16 migrants off the island of Formentera, Spain.
6. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 19 June 2025 – Migrant Incident (Spain):
Spanish authorities arrested 200 migrants and eight smugglers off Algeciras, Spain.
7. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 22 June 2025 – Migrant Incident (Spain):
Spanish authorities rescued 17 migrants off the island of Formentera, Spain.
8. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 28 June 2025 – Migrant Incident (Spain):
Local authorities rescued 72 migrants off the coast of Palma, Majorca.
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
Houthi forces continued to act in line with their previously stated intentions, conducting periodic strikes on land-based Israeli targets during the reporting period. Further reports were received from vessels experiencing GPS interference in the Red Sea with disruptions lasting several hours. The interference affected navigation systems, requiring ships to rely on backup methods. The situation in the region remains volatile, and a resumption of Houthi attacks against commercial vessels could occur at short notice.
Maritime Incidents
1. The Red Sea. 10 June 2025 – Electronic Interference:
UKMTO received several corroborating reports from vessels experiencing GPS interference in the Red Sea, with disruptions lasting several hours and affecting navigation systems, which required vessels to rely on backup methods. Masters who experience disruption to electronic navigation systems (GPS / AIS / Other PNT) anywhere within the UKMTO Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) are requested to contact UKMTO watchkeepers.
3. Regional Report: The Indian Ocean and Somali Basin
Monthly Activity
Although no maritime security incidents were reported in June, due to the opportunistic nature of pirate attacks, piracy remains a threat to 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
During a period of 12 days, hostilities involving Iran, Israel, and the U.S. resulted in a substantial increase in the threat level to commercial and military maritime interests in the area. In retaliation for attacks by the U.S. and Israel, Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz; however, no maritime security events were reported. Maritime traffic patterns showed typical seasonal flows, with only minor disruptions noted. Electronic interference remained prevalent across the region, and two ships collided at night in the Gulf of Oman, prompting speculation that radar jamming may have been to blame. The jamming is attributed to Iranian military activity.
Maritime Incidents
1. Gulf of Oman. 16 June 2025 – Collision:
The LNG carrier ASEEM was involved in a collision at night with the oil tanker SHINYO OCEAN off Fujairah, UAE. The LNG carrier was in ballast and en route to Ras Laffan, Qatar, at the time of the incident. The incident was attributed to a navigational error and was not believed to be connected to regional kinetic conflict activity. However, there was speculation that the event may have occurred due to ongoing electronic interference affecting ships’ navigational equipment in the area.
2. The Persian Gulf. 16 June 2025 – Electronic Interference:
UKMTO reported multiple reports of increased electronic interference within the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Whilst the level of electronic interference continues to rise across the wider region, the level and intensity inside the Gulf had a significant impact on vessels positional reporting through automated systems (AIS).
5. Regional Report: West Africa and Gulf of Guinea
Monthly Activity
According to the MDAT-GOG, only one maritime security incident occurred against commercial shipping in June, when an oil tanker was boarded while at anchor off the coast of Luanda, Angola. Human migration events continued along the Atlantic coast of West Africa, with over 340 migrants rescued in an area stretching from Senegal to the Canary Islands.
Maritime Incidents
1. Gulf of Guinea. 7 June 2025 – Boarding and Robbery (Angola):
While at anchor in Luanda, the deck crew of a Panamanian-flagged oil tanker reported a break-in at the bow locker. An alarm was immediately raised, the crew was mustered, and a thorough search of the vessel was conducted. Some equipment was found to be missing. All crew members are accounted for and unharmed.
2. The Atlantic Ocean. 18 June 2025 – Migration Incident (Canary Islands):
Local authorities assisted a boat carrying 14 people of North African origin approximately 2 nautical miles south of Maspalomas (Gran Canaria). They were disembarked at the port of Arguineguín.
3. The Atlantic Ocean. 20 June 2025 – Migration Incident (Senegal):
The Senegalese navy patrol vessel CAYOR intercepted a boat carrying 84 people off the coast of Kayar, northwest of Dakar.
4. The Atlantic Ocean. 17 June 2025 – Migration Incident (Canary Islands):
A fishing vessel with 14 crew members of Moroccan origin, including a minor, arrived at the port of Arrecife, Lanzarote island, and claimed asylum.
5. The Atlantic Ocean. 21 June 2025 – Migration Incident (Mauritania):
The Mauritanian coastguard assisted a boat carrying 150 people in the Tanit port area.
6. The Atlantic Ocean. 27 June 2025 – Migration Incident (Canary Islands):
Local authorities rescued 75 migrants off the coast of Fuerteventura, Spain.
6. Regional Report: South East Asia
Monthly Activity
Boarding and robbery from vessels underway in the Singapore Strait continued in June, with robbers targeting at least 16 ships predominantly in the Phillip Channel in the west of the Strait. Elsewhere in the region, an attempted robbery took place on a tug off Kakinada, India.
Significant Maritime Incidents
Due to the large number of events reported in this area during June, we are only reporting significant incidents.
1. Singapore Strait. 6 June 2025 – Boarding:
An unauthorised boarding was reported involving a Cyprus-flagged bulk carrier. As the vessel transited along the Eastbound Lane of the TSS, in the Singapore Strait, the crew sighted five perpetrators in the engine room. The ship’s alarm was sounded, and the perpetrators fled. The master reported that all the crew were safe and accounted. Nothing was stolen.
2. Singapore Strait. 13 June 2025 – Boarding and Robbery:
An unauthorised boarding involving a Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier was reported as the vessel transited along the Phillip Channel. The master reported that the crew had sighted eight perpetrators in the engine room. The master immediately sounded the alarm, and the crew mustered. All the crew were accounted for with no injuries reported, and after a search was conducted, no items were reported missing
3. Singapore Strait. 15 June 2025 – Boarding and Robbery:
Local authorities reported an unauthorised boarding involving a container ship, the master reported that all crew were safe and accounted for. A full SCBA set, an SCBA bottle compressor, and two radio transceivers were reported missing. The incident occurred off the coast of Kukup, Malaysia.
4. Singapore Strait. 22 June 2025 – Armed Boarding:
The crew of a bulk carrier. reported sighting four perpetrators armed with knives in the engine room. The master reported that all the crew were safe and accounted for. Three (20L) drums of paint were missing. The incident took place off Pulau Pemping, Indonesia.
5. Singapore Strait. 26 June 2025 – Armed Boarding:
Crew reportedly sighted four perpetrators in the engine room, with one holding a gun-like object. The ship’s alarm was sounded, and the perpetrators fled. The master reported that all the crew were safe and accounted for. Some ships engine parts were missing.
6. Singapore Strait. 27 June 2025 – Armed Boarding:
It was reported that a robbery took place on a Bahamas-flagged container vessel whilst underway in the Phillip Channel. The crew reported sighting five robbers armed with knives in the engine room. Following the incident, the master reported that all the crew were safe, and that engine spares had been stolen. The vessel did not require any assistance and continued her voyage to her next port of call in Singapore.
6. Regional Report: South America and Caribbean
Monthly Activity
A yacht reported being boarded by ‘Pirates’ off the island of Tobago, the crew were physically assaulted and personal belongings were stolen before the intruders left the vessel. Robberies from pleasure boats continued across the Caribbean.
Maritime Incidents:
1. The Caribbean. 05 June 2025 – Boarding and Theft (Grenada):
A yacht anchored in Gouyave had its dinghy line cut, and the boat was stolen. The thieves returned later and demanded a ransom, which was paid; the dinghy was then returned.
2. The Caribbean. 12 June 2025 – Piracy and Robbery (Tobago):
Two people on a sailing yacht reported being the victims of a piracy attack off Tobago. They were physically assaulted, and their equipment and means of communication were stolen.
3. The Caribbean. 27 June 2025 – Robbery (Panama):
A locked yacht anchored in the Red Frog area was burgled. The owners returned after a few hours ashore to find their hatches damaged and items stolen, including personal electronics such as phones, Kindles, a tablet, and earbuds. A report was made to Aeronaval (Coast Guard) and to the police at the marina.