Dryad Global in its Maritime Security Threat Analysis (MSTA) provides insights into key regions facing heightened risks as maritime security threats continue to evolve.
According to the analysis, the United States has intensified military operations in Yemen, launching large-scale airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Houthi forces. These strikes, concentrated in Al Sanaa, Hodeidah, and Saada, have crippled Houthi military assets, including radar systems, air defenses, and missile storage sites.
However, these actions have had significant repercussions on maritime security in the Red Sea. Hodeidah’s port has sustained heavy damage, which, if further compromised, could severely disrupt Yemen’s import capacity and impact global supply chains.
For shipping operators, the risks remain severe:
Without a ceasefire in Gaza or a decisive military outcome, Red Sea shipping routes will remain high-risk zones, forcing operators to either reroute or bear escalating security and insurance costs.
Instability in Mogadishu continues to escalate as Al-Shabaab gains territorial control, including Balcad, just 35km from the capital. With Somali forces deserting their posts and pro-government militias switching allegiance, security is deteriorating.
The maritime implications of this instability are alarming:
For shipping in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin, the risks of piracy resurgence are rising. With limited Coast Guard oversight and Al-Shabaab’s growing influence, piracy could soon reach critical levels, significantly impacting global trade and security costs.
While piracy incidents have decreased in the Gulf of Guinea, threats remain:
Criminal networks continue to exploit maritime routes for illicit trade. Recent operations highlight:
These seizures underscore the growing complexity of global narcotics trafficking, with ports and shipping routes increasingly being targeted by law enforcement.
Dryad Global underscores that with conflicts escalating, piracy threats resurging, and criminal networks exploiting vulnerabilities, the global maritime industry must remain vigilant.
