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Please find below our most recent Weekly Maritime Report. If you have any queries about our reports please contact us at africaops@castorvali.com

• No alerts reported this week.
•  Most recent incident: Robbery aboard Motor Vessel in Abidjan Anchorage on January 13.
• Despite recent overall drop in incident reports, vessels and their crew members operating in the wider West African/Gulf of Guinea region remain at risk.
• An advisory issued on 12 December 2023 by MDAT-GoG warning of a Pirate Action Group (PAG) operating in the Gulf remains in effect.
•  Ships in the area are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

[Previously reported alert]

On January 13th, a vessel at Abidjan Anchorage was reportedly boarded by an individual armed with a knife. During the incident, a telephone was stolen.

The perpetrator was reported to have fled the vessel when the alarm was raised. The crew remained safe throughout the incident.

ANALYSIS: This is the first incident of this type to be reported this year in the vicinity of Abidjan Anchorage. However, incidents such as this have been reported in the anchorage before, including a robbery aboard an Offshore Supply Vessel on 13.08.2025, as well as multiple boardings up to 300NM from Abidjan.

All vessels transiting within the area are advised to exercise extreme caution, remain vigilant, retain an enhanced local surveillance, maintain strict Anti-Piracy Watch, and apply BMP WA procedures. Report any suspicious activity to authorities.

• No alerts reported this week.

1. Most recent incident: Piracy aboard Fishing Vessel off Puntland, Somalia on December 5, 2024.

• One update to a previous alert reported this week.

1. Release of hostage crew members of Vehicle Carrier taken by Houthis in Red Sea on November 19, 2023.

• Despite overall decrease in attacks, reports of sightings and suspicious approaches continue, posing significant risks to vessels transiting Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea.

• Harassment of vessels by IRGC in and around Strait of Hormuz is expected to continue.

• Continued reports of Pirate Action Group (PAG) operating in the region. It is assessed that this PAG is likely seeking additional ships to target.

• Thirteen armed individuals departed from Somalia, heading into the Indian Ocean, on October 23.

[Previously reported alert]

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an incident occurring 50 nautical miles west of Hodeidah, Yemen. The Company Security Officer (CSO) has reported a loss of communication with the vessel, which is suspected to have been boarded by unauthorized individuals. The CSO has also reported that the vessel has been moved to Hodeidah.

Update 2: The crew of the GALAXY LEADER has been released after 14 months in captivity, marking the end of a highly unusual hijacking by the Houthis. The incident was unprecedented due to the use of a helicopter to seize the ship, the political motives behind the act, and the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the crew’s fate. Negotiations led by Oman successfully secured their release, with the freed sailors reportedly receiving unexpected gestures of goodwill from their captors.

Update 1: Further reporting has indicated this was a hijacking of the Bahamas-flagged vehicle carrier GALAXY LEADER (IMO: 9237307) by Houthi rebels. The vessel is affiliated with Abraham “Rami” Ungar, an Israeli businessman, and the Houthis have stated they took the ship and crew as hostages because of its connection to Israel; warning they would target more ships linked to or owned by Israelis. The Israeli government denounced the seizure as an “Iranian act of terror” and said it was a “very grave incident of global consequence.”

Associated Press has confirmed that twenty-five crew members have been taken hostage.

The vessel was transiting from Korfez, Turkey and was in-route to Pipavav, India when the incident occurred. The vessel’s AIS was reportedly turned off at the time of the boarding.

The seizing of the GALAXY LEADER was a relatively sophisticated operation involving the use of a helicopter. It is not clear how the Houthis acquired the helicopter and the skills to execute this maneuver, but it may indicate that they have received assistance from their Iranian backers or other sources.

This is the first known instance of the Houthis using a helicopter to board a ship, and it demonstrates their increasing capabilities and willingness to challenge the international maritime security in the Red Sea and beyond. Most Houthi maritime attacks thus far have involved drones, rockets, or mines.

• No alerts reported this week.

• Four alerts reported which occurred during previous week.

1. Robbery/Theft aboard Bulk Carrier in Singapore Strait on January 15.

2. Robbery/Theft aboard Bulk Carrier in Singapore Strait on January 18.

3. Robbery/Theft aboard Bulk Carrier in Bangladesh on January 12.

4. Robbery/Theft aboard Chemical Tanker in Belawan Anchorage on January 17.

• Six confirmed incidents in the region this year to date.

• Four exhibited similar characteristics and occurred within the Singapore Strait area.

• Phillip Channel remains key area of robberies and boardings within Singapore & Malacca Straits.

• Decrease in incidents in areas within Singapore territorial waters likely due to recent increased patrols by Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

Last reported alert

While underway in the Singapore Strait, the Master of the Marshall Islands-flagged Bulk Carrier GOLDEN CALVUS (IMO: 9743174) reported to the Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) that six perpetrators armed with parangs were sighted in the engine room. The Master raised the alarm and mustered the crew to conduct a search aboard. By approximately 05:48 hrs, the search was completed with no sighting of the perpetrators.

Engine spares were reported stolen, and the Chief Engineer's hands were tied with rubber tubing, causing wrist pain. The Master indicated no further assistance was required. The GOLDEN CALVUS was transiting from Port Louis, Mauritius, and proceeding to pick up a pilot for Singapore Anchorage.

ANALYSIS: This is the fourth incident of this type to be reported in the region this year. However, there were at least 49 incidents reported in 2024; 35 of which exhibited similar characteristics and occurred within the Singapore Strait area.

Last reported alert

While anchored at Belawan Anchorage, a crew member aboard the Singapore-flagged Chemical Tanker GOLDEN CURL (IMO: 9348522) observed two perpetrators on the port side main deck near the accommodation area.

The crew member promptly alerted the bridge, and the general alarm was sounded. The perpetrators quickly fled by jumping onto a waiting boat alongside the ship.

A subsequent search of the vessel revealed that a pressure-vacuum (PV) valve and three portable tank cleaning (TC) machines had been stolen. No crew members were injured during the incident. The event was reported to Belawan Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), the company, and the local agent.

ANALYSIS: This is the first incident of this type reported this year in the vicinity of Belawan Port. Similar incidents have been reported in the area with armed personnel attempting theft and escaping when discovered.

Incidents within this region typically involve individuals armed with small knives or blunt objects. Robbers usually escape upon detection, with stolen ship properties, stores or cargo, with minimal violence occurring between crew and robbers. Based on the volume of incidents, however, vigilance should be maintained when transiting the area.

Last reported alert

While underway in the Singapore Strait, the Master of the Liberian-flagged Bulk Carrier JOLANDA (IMO: 9724867) reported to Singapore VTIS West that the 2nd Engineer observed two individuals armed with gun-like objects in the engine room.

The Master raised the alarm and mustered the crew to conduct a thorough search aboard the vessel. By approximately 03:05 hours, the search was completed with no sighting of the intruders.

No items were reported stolen, all crew members were accounted for, and there were no injuries. The Master indicated that no further assistance was required. The vessel, en route from Suez, Egypt, continued its voyage to Qingdao, China.

ANALYSIS: This is the third incident of this type to be reported in the region this year. However, there were at least 49 incidents reported in 2024; 35 of which exhibited similar characteristics and occurred within the Singapore Strait area.

Last reported alert

While anchored at Mongla Anchorage, a group of eight perpetrators in a wooden boat, armed with knives and a steel bar, boarded the Sri Lankan-flagged Bulk Carrier CEYLON BREEZE (IMO: 9734563) using hooks attached to ropes.

The assailants overpowered the duty Able Seaman (AB) on rounds and restrained him. The alarm was raised, a public address (PA) announcement was made, and the crew mustered. Upon hearing the alarm and observing the crew's alertness, the perpetrators fled, taking ship's properties and stores with them.

ANALYSIS: This is the first incident of this type to be reported in the area since an Attempted Robbery on 12.07.2022.

• No alerts reported this week.

1. Most recent incident: Robbery aboard Offshore Supply Vessel in Campeche Bay, Mexico on October 25, 2024.

• Haiti remains area of instability and ever-worsening security conditions.

• Callao Anchorage, Peru remains an area where there is a higher frequency of reported incidents in the region; specifically, commercial vessels at anchor.

• Among the 13 incidents reported this year in the Americas, 8 occurred within Callao Anchorage; all between 0000-0800 hrs UTC.

[Last reported alert]

A robbery occurred aboard a Mexican-flagged Offshore Supply Vessel operating in Campeche Bay, Mexico. The perpetrators boarded the vessel from a small fishing boat, stealing vessel equipment and crew valuables before making their escape.

ANALYSIS: At least three of the armed robbers reportedly fired warning shots, injuring some crew members and forcibly transferring funds from crew members’ savings accounts. This marks the second such incident in ten days, with both events following a similar modus operandi: assailants armed with handguns approached the vessel, coerced crew members into transferring funds, and assaulted crew.

The report’s findings are predictive and estimative. To communicate these findings clearly and in order to accurately compare threat levels, the report uses a variation of terminology used by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

Piracy: CV has adopted the definition of piracy similar to that given in the BMP. Content within this document uses the term ‘piracy’ which includes all violent and non-violent acts against vessels, her crew and cargo which have taken place either in internal waterways, territorial waters or deep offshore. CV classifies piracy incidents into six categories:

Hijacking – Crew lost control of the vessel for a sufficient period of time and then pirates kidnapped at least one crewmember and/or passenger(s).

Pirate Attack – Vessel was attacked with gunfire or RPG fire and/or then boarded the vessel with the intent to hijack and/or kidnap at least one crewmember(s) and/or passenger(s).

Robbery – Vessel is boarded with criminal intent, theft does not have to occur.

Suspicious approach/vessels – Suspicious activity reported (i.e. a vessel was approached by unidentified craft with one or more persons on board) or sighting of firearms and boarding equipment on board a suspicious vessel and/or sighting of a confirmed pirate mother ship.

General Alert – A reported incident has been released by authorities to notify seafarers of a possible incident which is still being investigated/confirmed. This can also be a warning of an imminent Danger to seafarers.

Caution – An unconfirmed warning of an incident that could affect seafarers which AB Watchkeepers have received.

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You have received this report as part of your organisation’s subscription. Castor Vali assessment and advice is given based on the information received and processed by us and the surrounding circumstances known to us to exist at the time. Subsequent changes to relevant information or the surrounding circumstances may affect the reliability of our assessment and advice, but we do not accept responsibility for that effect. We do not accept responsibility for the outcome of any action taken or not taken as a result of our assessment and advice unless the possibility of that action being taken or not taken is set out in specific terms in our instructions.