Maritime Incident Report: October 2024

Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: October 2024 covers maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, Europe, West Africa, South East Asia and South America for the period 01/10/24 – 31/10/24.

• Europe: In the Black Sea, 3 merchant ships were damaged during Russian attacks on commercial ports in the Odesa region and at least 6 port workers were killed during the attacks. Human Migration events continued across the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea.
• Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: Attacks on commercial shipping remain at a reduced level compared to the beginning of the year, 5 ships were involved in Houthi-related activity during October. 4 vessels were hit by aerial weapons while armed guards onboard a bulk carrier deterred a potential attack in the Gulf of Aden.
• Indian Ocean and Somali Basin: EUNAVFOR reported that a potential Pirate Action Group (PAG) comprising 13 armed pirates had departed from Ceel Huur, Somalia and was heading out into the Indian Ocean. With the end of the Indian Ocean Southwest monsoon season, there are likely to be more reports of pirate-related activity taking place. 
• West Africa and Gulf of Guinea: A passenger vessel was attacked by unknown criminals and the passengers were abducted in the Bonny River, Nigeria. In Takoradi anchorage, Ghana, a cargo vessel was boarded by robbers who left the ship empty-handed after being discovered by a duty crew member. 
• Southeast Asia and South China Sea: An armed robbery took place on a berthed tanker in the Mabini Oil terminal in the Philippines. Elsewhere, 5 boarding incidents took place in the Singapore Strait and a ship was robbed in Bangladesh during port operations in Kutubdia anchorage. 
• The Caribbean Sea and South America: Two supply vessels were boarded and the crew was robbed by armed criminals in the Gulf of Mexico. In Haiti, gang violence in Port-au-Prince spilled over into the city’s port area with shots reported to have been fired at ships entering the harbour. 

Executive Summary

1. Europe. An increase in Russian missile attacks on grain export infrastructure and cargo ships carrying Ukrainian grain may indicate a shift in Russian strategy in the Black Sea and an increased risk to commercial ships and their crews. Grain exports are a major contributor to Ukraine’s economy but also play a significant part in maintaining global food security. Russia may be seeking to bring pressure on both Ukraine and the International community at the same time. 2 cargo vessels and a container ship were damaged during attacks on ports in the Odesa region. Human migration events continue across large areas of the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. Migrants have been rescued or intercepted on all the main transit routes between North Africa, Asia, and Europe.

2. The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) reported 5 incidents involving commercial shipping in the region during October. 2 oil tankers and 2 bulk carriers were hit by Houthi aerial weapons, in another incident, a bulk carrier was approached by 5 small craft but the boats left the vicinity after the ship’s armed guards fired warning shots. To assist vessels transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the EUNAVFOR Operation ASPIDES is now accepting requests for protection and support for eligible ships. Company Security Officers (CSO) should contact MSCHOA via email to request protection and provide additional data, details are available at EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (mschoa.org) (login required).

3. The Indian Ocean and Somali Basin. The end of the Indian Southwest Ocean Monsoon season will likely signal a resurgence of Somali pirate activity. The European Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) released a warning that a suspected pirate boat with 13 armed occupants onboard had left the Hobyo region of Somalia and was heading into the Indian Ocean. Due to the large number of occupants, this vessel is likely to be a mothership from which the criminals will conduct acts of piracy. There are likely to be more small boats engaged in Pattern of Life (POL) activity such as fishing, which will lead to increased reports of suspicious behaviour and possible pirate activity from commercial shipping transiting the region. 

4. The Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. The war in the Levant involving Israel, Iran and their proxies, increases the risk to commercial ships operating in this region. Israeli retaliation to Iran’s attacks on its soil may lead to a spillover of conflict-related activity into the maritime domain and threaten ships operating across the region, particularly in Iranian ports and terminals. Iran continues to pose a potential threat to commercial vessels transiting the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, ships may be contacted or harassed by Iranian authorities while operating in the region, however, there were no reports of any maritime incidents taking place in this region during October. 

5. Southeast Asia and the South China Sea.
Armed robbery and boardings of ships underway and at anchor continue to pose the greatest risk to vessels operating in the region. There was a slight increase in the number of vessels being boarded in the Singapore Strait during October, with 5 ships robbed by armed criminals. The first maritime security incident for several weeks took place in Bangladesh as a bulk carrier in Kutubdia anchorage was boarded by robbers. 

6. West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
A local passenger boat was intercepted and the occupants were kidnapped by unidentified criminals in Nigeria’s Bonny River but generally, levels of maritime crime remain low with piracy suppressed across the region. The first incident in 12 months took place in Takoradi anchorage, Ghana, when the cargo vessel PEARL ISLAND was boarded by robbers. Human migration events continue to pose a potential risk to ships transiting the West African Atlantic coastline. 

7. Latin and South America and the Caribbean Sea.
Two Filipino seafarers who were abducted in Haiti in October were released but violence in Port-au-Prince still threatens ships operating in the country’s ports, the main APN terminal was closed after a crane operator was shot during unloading operations. Criminal activity in the oilfields of the Gulf of Mexico often goes unreported but in October, 2 supply vessels were robbed by armed criminals, as well as stealing ship’s equipment, the robbers made the crew members transfer funds to their bank accounts. In the Caribbean, robbery from pleasure craft is endemic, there were 4 incidents reported this month. 

1. Regional Report: Europe

Monthly Activity

An increase in Russian missile attacks on grain export infrastructure and cargo ships carrying Ukrainian grain may indicate a shift in Russian strategy in the Black Sea and an increased risk to commercial ships and their crews. Grain exports are a major contributor to Ukraine’s economy but also play a significant part in maintaining global food security. Russia may be seeking to bring pressure on both Ukraine and the International community at the same time. 2 cargo vessels and a container ship were damaged during attacks on ports in the Odesa region. Human migration events continue across large areas of the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. Migrants have been rescued or intercepted on all the main transit routes between North Africa, Asia, and Europe. 

Maritime Incidents

1. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 01 October 2024 – Migrants Rescued:
96 migrants were rescued and detained in Izmir, Turkey. 

2. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 10 October 2024 – Migrants Rescued:
The humanitarian ship OCEAN VIKING rescued 47 migrants in the Maltese search and rescue zone. 

3. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 10 October 2024 – Migrants Rescued:
The rescue vessel HUMANITY 1 rescued 35 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.

4. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 11 October 2024 – Migrants Rescued:
75 migrants were rescued by a commercial ship 50nm south of Crete. 

5. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 17 October 2024 – Vessel Capsize:
A migrant vessel containing 100 migrants capsized off the coast of Crete. 

6. The Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. 23 October 2024 – Vessel Sunk:
A migrant vessel sank off Sfax, Tunisia. 

7. Black Sea. 05 October 2024 – Vessel Damaged:
The bulk carrier PARESA was struck by a ballistic missile while it was berthed at Yuzhny, Ukraine. The vessel was severely damaged but the crew was unharmed. 

8. Black Sea. 07 October 2024 – Vessel Attacked:
The Palau-flagged bulk carrier OPTIMA was hit during a missile strike on the port of Odesa. One port worker was reported to have been killed during the attack. 

9. Black Sea. 09 October 2024 – Vessel Attacked:
The Panamanian flagged containership SHUI SPIRIT was damaged during a missile attack on the port of Chornomorsk. 6 port workers were killed during the attack. 

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

The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) reported 5 incidents involving commercial shipping in the region during October. 2 oil tankers and 2 bulk carriers were hit by Houthi aerial weapons, in another incident, a bulk carrier was approached by 5 small craft but the boats left the vicinity after the ship’s armed guards fired warning shots. To assist vessels transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the EUNAVFOR Operation ASPIDES is now accepting requests for protection and support for eligible ships. Company Security Officers (CSO) should contact MSCHOA via email to request protection and provide additional data, details are available at EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (mschoa.org) (login required).

Maritime Incidents

1. Red Sea. 01 October 2024 – Vessel Attacked:

3. Regional Report: The Indian Ocean and Somali Basin

Monthly Activity

Although the threat to commercial ships from piracy remains significant, poor weather conditions caused by the Indian Ocean SW Monsoon season are the likely reason that no piracy-related incidents were reported during September. As the weather improves during October, small boats engaged in Pattern of Life (POL) activity such as fishing will return leading to increased reports of suspicious behaviour and possible pirate activity from commercial shipping transiting the region.

Maritime Incidents

1. Somali Basin. 23 October 2025 – Piracy Alert:
MSCHOA released information from Operation ATLANTA regarding a potential Pirate Action Group (PAG) comprising 13 armed pirates, that departed from Ceel Huur, Somalia was believed to heading into the Indian Ocean. 

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

Monthly Activity

The war in the Levant involving Israel, Iran and their proxies, increases the risk to commercial ships operating in this region. Israeli retaliation to Iran’s attacks on its soil may lead to a spillover of conflict-related activity into the maritime domain and threaten ships operating in the region, particularly in Iranian ports and terminals. Iran continues to pose a potential threat to commercial vessels transiting the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, ships may be contacted or harassed by Iranian authorities while operating in the region, however, there were no reports of any maritime incidents taking place in this region during October. 

Iran continues to pose a potential threat to commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. Ships may be contacted or harassed by Iranian authorities as they transit the area. There were no reports of any maritime incidents in this region in October. 

Maritime Incidents

No Incidents to report.

5. Regional Report: West Africa and Gulf of Guinea

Monthly Activity

A local water taxi was intercepted and 10 passengers were kidnapped by unidentified criminals in Nigeria’s Bonny River but generally, levels of maritime crime remain low with piracy suppressed across the region. Human migration events continue along the West African Atlantic coastline, in one incident the bodies of over 30 human migrants were discovered in a boat drifting off the coast of Senegal and the Moroccan coastguard rescued several migrants after their boat capsized off the port of Tan-Tan. 

Maritime Incidents

1. Ghana. 18 October 2024 – Boarding and Theft:
Takoradi Anchorage. The bulk carrier PEARL ISLAND was boarded by robbers who gained access to the ship from the starboard quarter. The duty security rating noticed the robbers near cargo hold 1 hiding near the ladder to the mooring area. He raised the alarm and immediately informed the Master. The robbers escaped empty-handed. 

2. Nigeria. 24 October 2024 – Vessel Attack:
The Rivers state government disclosed that a passenger boat had been attacked by unknown criminals when transiting within the Bonny River. All the passengers were abducted. No other details about the incident were given. 

6. Regional Report: South East Asia

Monthly Activity

Armed robbery and boardings of ships underway and at anchor continue to pose the greatest risk to vessels operating in the region. There was a slight increase in the number of vessels being boarded in the Singapore Strait during October, with 5 ships robbed by armed criminals. The first maritime security incident for several weeks took place in Bangladesh as a bulk carrier in Kutubdia anchorage was boarded by robbers. 

Maritime Incidents

1. Singapore Strait. 01 October 2024 – boarding and Theft:
Up to 7 unauthorised persons boarded a barge that was being towed. The crew onboard the tug noticed the perpetrators, raised the alarm and alerted the Singapore VTS. The robbers escaped with stolen scrap metal when they saw the Coast Guard was approaching.

2. Singapore Strait. 17 October 2024 – Armed Boarding:
The crew of a bulk carrier that was underway noticed 4 unauthorised persons with their faces covered in the engine room. He raised the alarm and the crew mustered. Upon hearing the alarm, the perpetrators escaped and nothing was stolen. The Coast Guard boarded the ship to investigate.

3. Singapore Strait. 17 October 2024 – Armed Boarding:
The duty motorman onboard a bulk carrier spotted 5 robbers armed with knives in the engine room. The alarm was raised, the SSAS activated and the crew mustered. Hearing the alarm and seeing the crew had been alerted, the robbers left the ship. The incident was reported to the local authorities. Nothing was reported stolen during the incident.

4. Singapore Strait. 17 October 2024 – Armed Boarding:
The crew of a bulk carrier noticed up to 10 intruders armed with knives were in the ship’s engine room. Alarm raised, ship’s horn sounded, PA announcement made and crew mustered. Hearing the alarm and seeing the crew’s response the robbers escaped without stealing anything. The incident was reported to the local authorities and the Coast Guard conducted an inspection.

5. Singapore Strait. 24 October 2024 – Armed Boarding and Theft:
Four armed robbers boarded a bulk carrier that was underway and stole engine spares. The duty engineer encountered the intruders in the engine room and raised the alarm. The robbers pointed guns at the crew before escaping. The incident was reported to local authorities.

6. The Philippines. 19 October 2024 – Armed Boarding and Theft:
Mabini Oil Terminal, Batangas. A robber armed with a handgun boarded a berthed product tanker during cargo operations. The ship’s crew spotted the robber on the forecastle deck and raised the alarm. The robber pointed the handgun toward the crew and escaped. The Master informed the local authorities and the Coast Guard and police boarded the tanker and carried out a search. Some items of ship’s property were stolen.

7. Bangladesh. 12 October 2024 – Armed Boarding:
Kutubdia Anchorage. The crew onboard an anchored bulk carrier noticed two unauthorised persons on the forward deck and raised the alarm. The intruders escaped in small boats with a further 10 accomplices. Upon inspection, the crew noticed the forward stores were broken into and some ship’s stores and property were stolen. Mobile phones of stevedores sleeping near the forward deck were also stolen.

6. Regional Report: South America and Caribbean

Monthly Activity

Two Filipino seafarers who were abducted in Haiti in October were released but violence in Port-au-Prince still threatens ships operating in the country’s ports, the main APN terminal was closed after a crane operator was shot during unloading operations. Criminal activity in the oilfields of the Gulf of Mexico often goes unreported but in October, 2 supply vessels were robbed by armed criminals, as well as stealing ship’s equipment, the robbers made the crew members transfer funds to their bank accounts. In the Caribbean, robbery from pleasure craft is endemic, there were 4 incidents reported this month. 

Maritime Incidents:

1. Gulf of Mexico. 07 October 2024 – Armed robbery and Theft:
Campeche Bay, Mexico. It was reported that a robbery occurred on the offshore support vessel (OSV) CINDY TIDE whilst it was underway off Dos Bocas port. Five masked robbers who were armed, boarded the supply vessel from a small boat. The perpetrators stole mobile phones, laptops, portable radios and breathing apparatus before escaping.

2. Gulf of Mexico. 24 October 2024 – Armed Boarding and Theft:
The OSV FLOKI was approached 50nm west of Dos Bocas in Campeche Bay by a local fishing boat with 5 persons onboard. The vessel was boarded by 3 armed robbers who threatened the crew with handguns. Shots were fired into the air and some of the crew were beaten. Crew savings accounts were emptied by bank transfer.

3. The Caribbean. 06 October 2024 –Theft:
Bonaire. The owners of a yacht were woken when the Captain of a neighbouring yacht knocked on their hull. The neighbours had seen thieves towing away the yacht’s dinghy. The thieves had cut the painter and were powering away when the owners were alerted and raised the alarm, the thieves abandoned the dinghy and it was recovered. A report was made to the marina and the Coast Guard.

4. The Caribbean. 13 October 2024 – Theft:
St Lucia. Overnight while the owner slept, thieves stole the dinghy/outboard from a moored yacht. The dinghy was chained to the swimming platform. A police report was made. 

5. The Caribbean. 22 October 2024 – Theft:
St Vincent. A yacht with 2 persons onboard anchored in Clifton harbour. A local boat with 2 men approached and became very aggressive about taking the yacht’s mooring. When the mooring was declined one of the men began to threaten the yacht’s occupants. The men threatened to steal the dinghy if they did not move and then to murder/kill the crew. He attempted to board the yacht with a metal rod in his hand as a weapon. The presence of a dog stopped him. Photos were taken and he continued to threaten to kill the crew. The man departed claiming he would return in 20 minutes with “friends” to kill them. The Coast Guard was called on the VHF but they did not respond.

6. The Caribbean. 27 October 2024 – Theft:
Martinique. Thieves who had arrived prepared with chain cutters stole a RIB dinghy and 5HP Mercury motor from the Anse a L’Ane dinghy dock. A report was made to the police and Coast Guard.

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.