Maritime Incident Report: May 2026

Executive Summary

Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: May 2026 covers maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, Europe, West Africa, South East Asia and South America for the period 01/05/26 – 31/05/26.

• Europe: Russia and Ukraine continued long-range strikes against vessels, maritime infrastructure, ports, logistics hubs and energy facilities linked to Black Sea operations. In the Mediterranean, an NGO migrant rescue vessel was fired upon by a Libyan patrol boat north of Tripoli.
• Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: No specific targeting of commercial shipping was reported in the Red Sea during May. A Pirate Action Group (PAG) was active in the Gulf of Aden, with one vessel hijacked, and at least five other incidents involving suspicious activity were reported by commercial ships transiting the area.
• Indian Ocean and Somali Basin: The threat from Somali piracy has reduced significantly due to the onset of the Southwest Monsoon season. No new developments were reported regarding the three ships hijacked off Somalia in April 2026.
• The Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman: US-Iran negotiations regarding a proposed memorandum of understanding remained unresolved, contributing to continued uncertainty for regional shipping. Iran carried out retaliatory action in response to the US enforcement of its blockade of Iranian oil trade. Read more here.
• West Africa and Gulf of Guinea: Piracy levels remained low compared with historical norms, but the threat of kidnapping and armed robbery is still a potential problem for ships operating in the Gulf of Guinea. The risk of vessels being boarded and robbed while at anchor persists.
• Southeast Asia and South China Sea: Only one armed robbery incident was reported in the Singapore Strait as regional authorities intensified coordinated maritime security patrols in the Singapore Strait and Malacca Strait following continued criminal activity.
• Latin America, South America and the Caribbean Sea: Petty theft, robbery and criminal activity were reported against vessels at anchor and in port across parts of the Caribbean basin. Counter-narcotics operations by regional and international agencies resulted in multiple major drug interdictions at sea.

1. Regional Report: Europe

Monthly Activity

Two vessels were attacked while conducting ship-to-ship oil transfer operations off the Turkish coast. A third tanker reported being struck by a USV when operating 50 nm north of the Bosphorus. Ukraine is believed to be responsible for the attacks. Russia struck a cargo vessel transiting the Ukraine transit corridor, and an attack was reported against a Ukrainian naval training vessel berthed in Odesa port. An NGO vessel conducting a human migration rescue mission was fired upon by a Libyan navy patrol vessel. The patrol vessel continued to harass the vessel SEAWATCH 5 for several hours before leaving the scene. No injuries were reported.

Maritime Incidents

1. The Black Sea. 17 May 2026 – UAV Attack:
When transiting within the Ukrainian maritime corridor, the cargo vessel KSL DEYANG was reportedly struck by Russian UAVs while proceeding toward Pivdennyi port, Ukraine. The vessel was in ballast condition and intended to load iron ore concentrate. No significant damage or casualties were reported. The resulting fire was extinguished by the crew.

2. The Black Sea. 26 May 2026 – USV attack:
Ukrainian authorities reported an explosion in the vicinity of DRUZHBA, a Ukrainian Navy training vessel berthed at Odesa Port, Ukraine. The origin of the explosion is suspected to have been an underwater Russian drone. No damage or casualties were reported on board the vessel.

3. The Black Sea. 28 May 2026 – Vessels Attacked:
Two tankers, ALTURA and VELORA, engaged in an STS operation approximately 25nm northwest of the Bosphorus Channel, were reportedly attacked by two MAGURA-type USV. Ukraine stated the vessels were part of the Russian shadow fleet. The crews were reported safe. One USV detonated near a vessel’s rudder, while a second stopped and was left drifting nearby.

4. The Black Sea. 28 May 2026 – USV Attack:
When located at about 50 nm northeast of the Bosphorus channel entry, in Turkish waters, the tanker JAMES II, was hit by a USV. The crew was reported to be safe. JAMES II was damaged in its engine room area.

5. The Black Sea. 29 May 2026 – USV Attack:
While transiting within the Ukrainian Maritime Corridor after departing Odesa, the Vanuatu-flagged cargo vessel ANT, owned by a Turkish company and carrying cargo to Turkey, was struck by a UAV. The extent of damage to the vessel remains undetermined.

6. The Mediterranean Sea. 11 May 2026 – Vessel Attacked:
On 11th May 2026, while operating approximately 55 nm north of Tripoli, Libya, the NGO rescue vessel SEAWATCH 5 reported an incident involving armed Libyan militia boats following the rescue of approximately 90 persons in distress. A Libyan patrol boat reportedly approached the vessel and fired approximately 10–15 shots in its direction whilst threatening to board the vessel and force it to return to Libya. The crew of SEAWATCH 5 transmitted a distress call and contacted Italian and German authorities. Two Libyan patrol boats reportedly pursued the vessel northbound for several hours before discontinuing the harassment. No injuries were reported.

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

No incidents were reported involving commercial vessels in the Red Sea during May. Ships continued to experience GNSS/AIS interference. In the Gulf of Aden, a Pirate Action Group hijacked the oil tanker EUREKA off the Yemen coast and took the vessel to Somalia, where a ransom demand was reported to have been made. Several other suspicious sightings were reported in the Gulf of Aden. During one of the incidents, UKMTO reported that a commercial vessel was approached by a skiff with five persons on board north of Socotra Island. The skiff left the area after the ship’s security team fired warning shots.

Maritime Incidents

1. The Red Sea. Area of Electronic Interference:
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 Gulf of Aden. 1 May 2026 – Vessel Approached:
The cargo vessel NEW VENTURE reported a suspicious approach approximately 92 nm southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen. One black-hulled skiff carrying seven armed individuals approached the vessel to within 10 metres, with apparent intent to board. The vessel increased speed and conducted evasive manoeuvres. The boarding attempt was unsuccessful.

3. The Gulf of Aden. 2 May 2026 – Vessel Hijacked:
The oil tanker EUREKA was reportedly boarded by armed pirates near Kana Port, Shabwa Province, Yemen. According to the Yemen Coast Guard, the vessel was later observed heading towards Somalia following the incident. The vessel is reported to be held by pirates in Somalia who have issued a ransom demand.

4. The Gulf of Aden. 18 May 2026 – Suspicious Approach:
At approximately 0800 UTC, unconfirmed reports indicated a possible Pirate Action Group (PAG) was operating from a skiff near Bosaso, Somalia. The warning stated the group may intend to target and hijack merchant vessels in the area. Vessels operating within 100 nm off the northern Somali coast were advised to maintain heightened vigilance, comply with BMP-MS measures, and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO and MSCIO.

5. The Gulf of Aden. 22 May 2026 – Suspicious Approach:
A tanker located approximately 98 nm north of Socotra reported being approached by a small craft with five persons onboard. The vessel’s Armed Security Team fired warning shots, forcing the craft to alter course and depart the area. Authorities are investigating.

6. The Gulf of Aden. 22 May 2026 – Vessel Approached:
While transiting within the Gulf of Aden, the tanker FORTITUDE reported a suspicious approach by one skiff carrying eight persons onboard. The skiff approached from the starboard side and closed to approximately 1.5 nautical miles from the vessel’s starboard quarter. In response, the vessel activated water jets, raised the alarm, and placed the armed security team on standby with weapons prepared. After observing the vessel’s hardening measures and active security posture, the skiff aborted its approach. Vessel and crew reported safe.

7. The Gulf of Aden. 25 May 2026 – Vessel Approached:
When transiting within the IRTC approximately 200 nm west of Socotra, a product tanker was approached by a small craft with five persons onboard. The vessel’s Armed Security Team was deployed, and the craft altered course away from the tanker at a closest point of approach of approximately 100 metres.

8. The Gulf of Aden. 28 May 2026 – Vessel Approached:
While transiting within the Gulf of Aden, the tanker NEVAH reported a suspicious approach by one skiff carrying five persons onboard. In response, the vessel’s armed security team deployed weapons, causing the skiff to abort its approach and depart the area.

3. Regional Report: The Indian Ocean and Somali Basin

Monthly Activity

A cargo dhow was reported to have been boarded and hijacked off Kismayo in the south of Somalia. A warning was given that the vessel may be used to conduct piracy, although the onset of the Indian Ocean Southwest Monsoon season, bringing increased sea states, is likely to reduce the risk of further pirate activity in the region. No further information was provided regarding the three vessels currently held by pirates in Somalia.

Maritime Incidents

1. The Indian Ocean. 9 May 2026 – Dhow Hijacked:
A cargo dhow transiting towards Kismayo, Somalia, was reportedly boarded and hijacked by suspected pirates off the southern Somali coast. MSCIO issued a warning regarding the possible use of the vessel as a pirate mother vessel. Operation Atalanta has deployed assets to investigate the incident.

4. Regional Report: The Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman

Monthly Activity

The Strait of Hormuz remained the principal maritime flashpoint, with vessel movements significantly below normal levels as shipowners continued to assess security, insurance and operational risks associated with the ongoing Iran conflict. US naval blockade operations against Iranian ports continued throughout May, with coalition naval forces maintaining a significant presence across the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman while enforcing restrictions on maritime traffic linked to Iran. Iran maintained efforts to regulate and control maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including the operation of the newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) and continued messaging regarding vessel authorisation and transit procedures. Daily transits of the SOH were numbered in single digits as commercial shipping remained exposed to a range of conflict-related threats, including naval interdiction, drone activity, missile attacks, sea mines, electronic interference and the risk of misidentification by military forces operating in the region. Read our full conflict update here.

5. Regional Report: West Africa and Gulf of Guinea

Monthly Activity

Two vessels were boarded and robbed while at anchor in the Gulf of Guinea. An attempted boarding took place in Abidjan’s inner anchorage, and a vessel berthed in Lagos port reported that some ship’s stores were stolen by robbers using two skiffs to board the ship from the seaward side.

Maritime Incidents

1. Gulf of Guinea. 3 May 2026 – Boarding and Theft (Nigeria):
At 0545 hrs local time, an unidentified cargo vessel berthed at Lagos Port, Nigeria, was boarded by sea robbers. The intruders approached from the riverside using two skiffs and stole paint boxes and thinner before fleeing after being detected.

2. Gulf of Guinea. 14 May 2026 – Armed Boarding and Theft (Côte d’Ivoire):
At approximately 2330 hrs local time, while anchored at Abidjan Inner Anchorage, Ivory Coast, MPOV ELARA DALIMBA reported an attempted boarding by one sea robber. The individual was spotted on deck by the ISPS watchkeeper. Upon alarm activation, the suspect jumped overboard and escaped.

6. Regional Report: South East Asia

Monthly Activity

Despite the ever-present threat of boarding and robbery in the Singapore Strait, only one incident was reported in May. Elsewhere, a vessel was boarded and items stolen while anchored in Chittagong outer anchorage.

Maritime Incidents

1. Singapore Strait. 12 May2026 – Armed Boarding:
At 1730 hrs UTC, whilst transiting the Phillip Channel, a cargo vessel reported a boarding incident. One perpetrator, reportedly armed with a knife, was sighted in the engine room workshop. The duty crew retreated to the engine control room and informed the bridge. The Alarm was raised, and the crew mustered. Upon observing that the crew was alerted, the perpetrator escaped. A subsequent search confirmed all the ship’s property was accounted for. All crew were reported safe.

2. Bangladesh. 7 May 2026 – Armed Boarding and Theft:
While at anchor in Chittagong Outer Anchorage, Bangladesh, the container vessel CNC NEPTUNE was boarded by a group of robbers. The Master reported that between eight and ten perpetrators, armed with long knives, gained unauthorised access to the vessel and were spotted on the starboard aft deck. The perpetrators conducted a targeted theft of the ship’s stores before departing the vessel. Approximately 2,900 litres of paint were stolen. All crew members are reported safe. No injuries were sustained.

6. Regional Report: South America and Caribbean

Monthly Activity

Counter-narcotics operations by regional and international agencies resulted in multiple major drug interdictions at sea. The Caribbean Safety and Security Network (CSSN) reported six incidents of robbery of pleasure craft and equipment across the Caribbean Sea in June. Events occurred across the region, including the British Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia, Belize, Saint Martin, Panama and the US Virgin Islands.

Maritime Incidents:

1. The Caribbean. 5 May 2026 – Theft (Panama):
Overnight, two paddleboards were stolen from a yacht anchored at Starfish Beach. The owners notified other cruisers, walked the beach and searched the nearby mangroves. Then they departed. About 45 minutes later, another cruiser in the bay noticed some teenage boys using 2 paddleboards that matched the description. They watched them hide the boards behind a local business. The owners returned and found the hidden boards and “recovered” them.

2. The Caribbean. 9 May 2026 – Theft (Saint Lucia):
The owners of a monohull arrived in Anse La Raye, St. Lucia, around midday and were assisted onto a mooring. They were the only yacht there when they retired for the evening. They were awakened by noise at 0220HRS. They found two thieves alongside in an open boat attempting to steal the yacht’s dinghy, and the painter had been cut. They shone a spotlight on the thieves, which scared them off. The thieves headed towards the north end of the village moorings. A police report was made by phone.

3. The Caribbean. 11 May 2026 – Theft (US Virgin Islands):
A day charter boat left its dinghy on a mooring between 17:45 and 22:35 hrs, the outboard engine was stolen. A police report was made.

4. The Caribbean. 18 May 2026 – Theft ( Saint Martin FR):
A dinghy locked to a floating pontoon in the lagoon was stolen. It is not known if a police report was made.

5. The Caribbean. 23 May 2026 – Theft (Belize):
Overnight, a dinghy/outboard was stolen from a yacht anchored near the Drowned Cays. The owners found the painter line had been cut. A report was made to the police and the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard recovered the dinghy, minus the engine.

6. The Caribbean. 30 May2026 – Theft (BVI):
Overnight, multiple unsecured dinghies were stolen from yachts in Trellis Bay, Virgin Gorda.