Latest advisory warns of rising attacks on merchant vessels, GPS and AIS interference, piracy incidents and heightened risks across key global shipping routes, urging operators to strengthen voyage security measures.
MUMBAI: The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), Government of India, has issued Regional Maritime Security Advisory Update 12/26 (as of 240700Z July 24, 2026), highlighting a significant deterioration in the security environment across some of the world’s busiest maritime trade corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Bab-al-Mandab, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden. The advisory warns that commercial shipping continues to face a combination of armed attacks, piracy, navigational interference, and other hybrid security threats, prompting shipowners, operators, and masters to exercise the highest level of vigilance.
According to the advisory, the Strait of Hormuz remains the area of greatest concern, with the threat level classified as Critical. Since the previous advisory issued on 2 July 2026, the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) has monitored 12 attacks on merchant vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, and Gulf of Oman. These incidents have resulted in one seafarer losing his life, one reported missing, and eighteen others sustaining injuries. In addition to physical attacks, the continued disruption of GNSS/GPS and AIS signals has created serious navigational challenges, increasing the operational risks for vessels transiting the region. DG Shipping has advised that non-essential voyages through the Strait of Hormuz should be reconsidered until the security situation improves.
The advisory further notes that the security situation in the Bab-al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea has worsened following a declaration targeting Saudi Arabia-linked shipping. Since the declaration, 13 commercial vessels have reportedly altered or abandoned their intended voyages, while a Saudi-linked tanker was reportedly attacked in the Red Sea on 23 July 2026, underscoring the heightened risk for vessels operating in the region.
Meanwhile, the Gulf of Aden and Yemen approaches continue to witness active piracy and armed robbery threats. IFC-IOR has monitored three piracy-related incidents since early July, including the hijacking of the tanker ASANA and two suspicious approaches that were successfully thwarted through timely preventive measures. These developments indicate that traditional piracy threats continue to coexist alongside the evolving geopolitical security risks affecting international shipping.
In response to the rapidly changing threat landscape, DG Shipping has urged Company Security Officers (CSOs), shipowners, Masters, and vessel operators to conduct voyage-specific threat assessments before entering affected waters. The advisory recommends verifying war-risk insurance coverage and Flag State requirements, maintaining AIS, radar, navigation lights, and independent positioning capabilities as operationally appropriate, continuously monitoring VHF Channel 16 and designated V/UHF communication channels, strengthening onboard security measures, rehearsing citadel and emergency response procedures, and ensuring full compliance with the latest Best Management Practices (BMP-MS) and internationally recognised reporting protocols.
The advisory also emphasises the importance of timely reporting of suspicious activities, attacks, attempted approaches, GNSS/AIS interference, or any maritime security concerns to the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) and other designated regional maritime security centres. Operating a 24×7 watch, IFC-IOR continues to coordinate information sharing and enhance maritime domain awareness to support the safety and security of commercial shipping in the Indian Ocean Region.
The latest advisory serves as a strong reminder that the global maritime security environment remains highly volatile. As geopolitical tensions, hybrid warfare, and piracy continue to converge across critical sea lanes, shipping companies and seafarers are being urged to remain alert, strengthen operational preparedness, and closely follow official security guidance to safeguard lives, vessels, and global trade.
