Maritime Incident Report: May 2025
Executive Summary
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: May 2025 covers maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, Europe, West Africa, South East Asia and South America for the period 01/05/25 – 30/05/25.
• Europe: Despite a maritime ceasefire being agreed in principle between them, Russia and Ukraine continue to trade attacks on each other’s port infrastructure in the Black Sea. Human migration events were reported in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas.
• Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: UKMTO warned of increased electronic interference in the Red Sea affecting ships’ GPS/AIS and other navigation aids. Israel carried out attacks on the Houthi-held port of Hodeida. The Houthis carried out missile attacks on targets in Israel, but there were no attacks on commercial shipping reported during May.
• Indian Ocean and Somali Basin: The Puntland Maritime Police Force arrested 27 Yemeni fishermen after their vessel was caught fishing illegally in Somali waters.
• The Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman: A vessel reported a GPS spoofing incident off Jebel Ali in the UAE and a vessel was approached by a number of small craft southeast of Bushehr, Iran.
• West Africa and Gulf of Guinea: The MDAT-GOG reported that a Pirate Action Group was active southwest of Brass, Nigeria. Later in the month, a ship was boarded by armed men 75nm northwest of São Tomé and Príncipe in a piracy-related event. A vessel was boarded by thieves in Luanda, Angola. Human migration rescue incidents were reported in the Atlantic Ocean, off the Canary Islands, and the coast of Mauritania.
• Southeast Asia and South China Sea: The boarding and theft from vessels in the Singapore Strait has increased significantly during 2025 with 16 vessels reported to have been boarded during May the largest monthly total since 2021.
• The Caribbean Sea and South America: An attempted hijack was reported on the coast of Ecuador, and the crew of a yacht was rescued after they were robbed by armed men near Buenaventura, Colombia. Robberies from pleasure boats continued throughout the Caribbean.
1. Regional Report: Europe
Monthly Activity
There is no evidence of a maritime ceasefire being observed between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea. On 19 May, Ukraine conducted a drone strike against a Russian radar system and military supply depots located on a gas production platform in the Black Sea, destroying a Neva radar used for aerial surveillance. Ukraine also targeted the Russian port city of Novorossiysk using UAS drones. In retaliation, Russian forces launched a large-scale attack targeting Ukraine’s critical ports of Odesa and Chernomorsk. While Russia claimed the strikes were aimed at military assets, the attacks caused substantial damage to civilian port infrastructure, disrupting cargo handling and grain export operations. In May, over 2,500 migrants crossed the English Channel, and human migration events were reported in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, including Libya, Tunisia and Turkey.
Maritime Incidents
1. The Black Sea. 23 May 2025 – Missile Attack:
The port of Odesa, Ukraine was hit by a missile attack at an unknown time on 23 May 2025. According to social media and official sources, the port was struck by at least two ballistic missiles.
2. The Black Sea. 19 May 2025 – Drone Attack:
Ukrainian drones destroyed a Russian radar and supply depot on a Black Sea gas platform. The attack destroyed a Russian “Neva” radar system used for monitoring aerial and surface activity.
3. The Black Sea. 03 May 2025 – Drone Attack:
Ukraine launched a coordinated drone attack on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk. The assault involved both aerial drones and unmanned surface vessels (USVs). The operation reportedly targeted key military and logistical infrastructure associated with Russia’s naval and commercial maritime operations in the Black Sea. While several commercial vessels were present at the time of the attack, most reportedly moved outside port limits during the incident. No direct damage to maritime infrastructure or vessels was confirmed.
4. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 01 May 2025 – Migrant Incident (Malta):
Two humanitarian NGO’s vessels rescued 169 migrants off Malta.
5. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 03 May 2025 – Migrant Incident (Greece):
The Hellenic Coastguard rescued 22 migrants off Rhodes, Greece.
6. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 10 May 2025 – Migrant Incident (Tunisia):
A German NGO vessel rescued 57 migrants off the coast of Sfax, Tunisia.
7. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 22 May 2025 – Migrant Incident (Italy):
The Italian Coast Guard rescued 65 migrants off the coast of Crotone, Italy.
8. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 26 May 2025 – Migrant Incident (Libya):
A Norwegian-flagged vessel assisted 113 people during an operation in the Libyan SRR.
9. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 28 May 2025 – Migrant Incident (Libya):
The German-flagged AURORA SAR, belonging to the NGO Sea Watch, rescued 50 migrants off the coast of Libya.
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
In May, the Red Sea region experienced significant military activity centred around the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Houthis fired at least 6 ballistic missiles at targets in Israel, and in retaliation, Israel conducted airstrikes primarily on the port of Hodeida and in the capital, Sanaa. There is a real danger that vessels operating in Hodeida may receive collateral damage during such airstrikes. There were no reports of vessels transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden being attacked by the Houthis during May. There were, however, several reports received from vessels experiencing GPS interference in the Red Sea, with disruptions lasting several hours, affecting navigation systems and requiring vessels 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. 9 May 2025 – Electronic Interference:
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.
3. Regional Report: The Indian Ocean and Somali Basin
Monthly Activity
Although there were no maritime security incidents reported against merchant vessels in May, due to the opportunistic nature of pirate attacks, the risk of piracy remains a threat for all commercial ships transiting through the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. This risk is elevated off the coast Somalia where attacks by locals against fishing vessels that they accuse of illegal fishing in Somalian TTW, could encourage pirate gangs to attack vessels further offshore. The Puntland Maritime Police Force arrested 27 Yemeni fishermen after their vessel was caught fishing illegally in Somali waters.
Maritime Incidents
1. The Indian ocean. 14 May 2025 – Illegal Fishing:
Security forces in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region arrested 27 Yemeni fishermen and a Somali national after their vessel was caught fishing illegally in Puntland waters.
4. Regional Report: The Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman
Monthly Activity
There have been reports of significant GPS interference while transiting the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman some lasting several hours. The jamming is attributed to Iranian military activity. In one event a merchant ship reported a suspected ramming incident about 80 nm northwest of Jebel Ali, UAE, which was again attributed to Iranian naval forces attempting to disrupt commercial shipping in the area. A vessel was approached off the Iranian coast by a number of small craft causing the master to deviate away from his intended course.
Maritime Incidents
1. The Persian Gulf. 04 May 2025 – Navigation Interference:
A vessel reported Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) disturbances while transiting the Strait of Hormuz inbound to Jebel Ali.
2. The Persian Gulf. 11 May 2025 – Collision:
UKMTO has received a report of an incident 80nm northwest of Jebel Ali, UAE. The Master reported a small craft colliding with the vessel and was seen attempting to collide with other vessels in the area. The crew from the small craft were later seen transferring to another small craft. The merchant vessel remained on scene for some time before proceeding to next port of call. The ship later experienced VHF messages from an entity claiming to be local authorities requesting them to stop and enable representatives of the claimed authority to board the vessel. All the crew were reported to be safe.
3. The Persian Gulf. 23 May 2025 – Suspicious Approach:
Four small, fast naval craft were spotted approaching a commercial ship’s bow. The master observed the 4 small naval craft movements as they approached 2 other nearby vessels. One of the small craft could be heard hailing an anchored vessel via VHF Ch 16. The master of the reporting vessel ordered an alteration of course to quickly move away from the area.
5. Regional Report: West Africa and Gulf of Guinea
Monthly Activity
According to the MDAT-GOG, a Piracy Action Group (PAG) has been located in the Gulf of Guinea, specifically southwest of Brass, Nigeria. On 30 May, a ship was boarded by armed men 75 nm northeast of San Antonio, Sao Tome and Principe, and a crew member was injured. This PAG is considered extremely active, with multiple incidents occurring in recent weeks, particularly near Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Elsewhere, a ship was approached in Lome, Togo, and a boarding took place in Luanda, Angola. Human migration events continued along the Atlantic coast of Africa.
Maritime Incidents
1. Gulf of Guinea. 10 May 2025 – Attempted Boarding (Togo):
While anchored at Lome anchorage, Togo, the vessel, AMITY, reported that the ship had been approached by a small craft with 7 persons on- board circling the vessel until they were illuminated with a flood light. The small craft then left the area. The day after, at around 2300 hrs UTC, the same vessel was approached again by a small craft. The craft again, circled several times until they came alongside the vessel. At this point, small craft was illuminated, making the small craft leave the location.
2. Gulf of Guinea. 25 May 2025 – Boarding and Theft (Angola):
An unnamed ship was boarded and items of ship’s equipment was stolen while anchored at Luanda anchorage, Angola.
3. Gulf of Guinea. 30 May 2025 – Piracy Event (Sao Tome):
MDAT-GoG reported that an incident took place 75nm northwest of Santo Antonio, São Tomé and Príncipe. The Master of the vessel reported being boarded by 7 unauthorised persons carrying weapons. One crew member was injured during the boarding. It was later reported that all the unauthorised persons have left the ship taking the injured crew member with them.
4. The Atlantic Ocean. 3 May 2025 – Migration Incident (Canary Is.):
Local authorities rescued 50 migrants off Gran Canaria, Spain.
5. The Atlantic Ocean. 22 May 2025 – Migration Incident (Mauritania):
The Mauritanian authorities rescued 121 people near Nouadhibou, Mauritania.
6. The Atlantic Ocean. 28 May 2025 – Migration Incident (Canary Is.):
According to Spanish media, 152 people were spotted in a small boat 6nm miles from La Restinga, El Hierro Island, in the Canary Islands. The migrants were brought alongside by a Spanish coastguard vessel.
6. Regional Report: South East Asia
Monthly Activity
The alarming increase during 2025 in the number of vessels boarded and robbed while underway in the Singapore Strait continued in May, with robbers targeting at least 15 vessels predominantly in the Phillip Channel in the west of the Strait. According to International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reporting, a total of 51 boarding incidents have been recorded so far in 2025, compared to 59 for the whole of 2024.
Maritime Incidents
1. Singapore Strait. 1 May 2025 – Boarding and Robbery:
An unauthorised boarding involving a Cook Islands-flagged tanker was reported. As the vessel transited along the Phillip Channel, the crew reportedly sighted 4 in the engine room. The ship’s master stated that all the crew were safe and accounted for, and some engine spares were stolen.
2. Singapore Strait. 6 May 2025 – Armed Boarding:
An unauthorised boarding was reported involving a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier. As the vessel transited along the Phillip Channel, the crew sighted 5 perpetrators in the engine room, 2 were armed with gun-like objects and escaped once the alarm was raised. The ship’s master reported that all the crew members are safe and accounted for, and nothing has been reported stolen.
3. Singapore Strait. 18 May 2025 – Attempted Boarding:
It was reported that there was an attempted robbery onboard a Philippines-flagged cargo ship whilst transiting through the Eastbound Lane of the Transport Separation Scheme (TSS). The crew spotted 4 armed perpetrators approaching the ship. The Master reported that all the crew were safe and that nothing had been stolen.
4. Singapore Strait. 20 May 2025 – Armed Boarding:
An unauthorised boarding involving a Singapore-flagged tanker was reported as the vessel transited along the Phillip Channel. The crew reportedly sighted four perpetrators (armed with knives) in the engine room.
5. Singapore Strait. 21 May 2025 – Armed Boarding:
An attempted robbery was carried out onboard a Cyprus-flagged bulk carrier whilst underway in the Philip Channel. The crew spotted one perpetrator with a gun-like object on the starboard side of the vessel, and another 4 unarmed perpetrators in the engine room. The Master reported that all the crew were safe and that nothing had been stolen.
6. Singapore Strait. 26 May 2025 – Armed Boarding:
It has been reported that an unauthorised boarding took place involving a Malta-flagged bulk carrier in the Singapore Strait. The crew sighted four perpetrators (one armed with a gun-like object, 3 with knives) onboard. One crew sustained a minor head injury, and no items were reported stolen at this time.
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. 03 May 2025 – Boarding and Theft (Trinidad and Tobago):
A singlehanded cruiser arrived at Chaguaramas in the afternoon and took a mooring. The yacht’s cable locked dinghy was stolen from the stern. Both the rope painter and cable were cleanly cut. A police report will be made.
2. The Caribbean. 14 May 2025 – Robbery (Panama, Bocos del Toro):
A boat was stolen from the dock at the northern end of Isla Popa.
3. The Caribbean. 21 May 2025 – Robbery (Saint Lucia):
A fishing rod/reel were stolen from the rod holder of moored yacht’s stern rail.
4. The Caribbean. 26 May 2025 – Robbery (Dominican Republic):
An unlocked dinghy / outboard was stolen during daylight hours from the Government dock. The dinghy minus the outboard was found the next morning.
5. The Caribbean. 26 May 2025 – Migration Event (Canouan, The Grenadines):
A 14-meter-long boat was found washed up on a beach on the island of Canouan, in the Grenadines archipelago. Local police discovered the remains of 11 bodies on board, in an advanced state of decomposition. Investigators recovered several passports from the boat, which appear to be from the West African country of the Republic of Mali.
6. The Pacific Ocean. 6 May 2025 – Vessel Attacked (Colombia):
The Colombian Navy rescued 9 people who were assaulted and abandoned at sea by 5 armed men while sailing on a passenger boat. The thieves stole personal belongings, food and fuel.
7. The Pacific Ocean. 10 May 2025 – Boarding and Attempted robbery (Ecuador):
It was reported that there was an attempted robbery on a fishing vessel which the Ecuadorean Navy said was fishing 21nm off the coast near the town of Manta. The Navy provided limited information with respect to this case and it is currently classified as a failed robbery. There were 28 crew members on board, all of whom were reported safe.
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.