Late November Saw an Increase in Maritime Security Incidents Worldwide
Between November 25 and December 1, 2025, the maritime industry experienced 18 significant security incidents between November 25 and December 1, ranging from drug interdictions, migrant rescues, piracy attacks on vessels and explosions targeting tankers off Senegal and in the Black Sea to major drug seizures and ongoing migrant crises in Mediterranean and Turkish waters. Key incidents included explosions targeting tankers off Senegal and in Black Sea waters as well as ongoing crises affecting those coming through European waters due to crisis migration issues.
Global Waterways Have Record Incident Volume.
Securewest International Maritime Assistance Centre documented 18 maritime security incidents during the final week of November, reflecting persistent challenges across a spectrum of threat categories. From November 25 through December 1 alone, incidents included robberies, drug trafficking operations, migrant operations, direct attacks against commercial vessels and direct attacks against other commercial vessels--reflecting the increasingly complex security environment for global shipping industry players.
Incident distribution analysis revealed clustered activity in traditional high-risk zones, particularly Mediterranean waters, West African ports, and Southeast Asian shipping lanes. Furthermore, their variety and geographical dispersal demonstrate that maritime security threats remain dispersed rather than concentrated into single regions.
Violence Affecting Commercial Vessels Raise Concerns
On November 27th, MERSIN suffered four explosions off Dakar, Senegal - marking an alarming increase in direct attacks against commercial shipping in West African waters already subject to stringent security protocols. These coordinated strikes present a grave danger.
On November 28, tanker explosions operating in the Black Sea were reported, sparking speculation of attacks against petroleum transport infrastructure. These explosions came at a time of high geopolitical tensions and highlight how energy supply chains depend upon maritime transportation through contested waters for their transportation needs.
Drug Interdiction Operations Produce Significant Seizures
Law enforcement agencies saw significant successes during this reporting period in disrupting drug trafficking networks. On November 25 police intercepted 420 kilograms of heroin at Southampton in England while authorities in the Eastern Pacific Ocean seized 4.4 tons of cocaine on November 29. Additionally, on November 29 a semi-submersible vessel used by criminal organizations for trafficking drug was caught off-guard in North Atlantic Ocean; an increasingly used method by criminal organizations.
These interdictions demonstrate coordinated international enforcement efforts and demonstrate the persistence of maritime drug trafficking despite substantial law enforcement resources devoted to interdiction operations.
Migrant Rescue Operations Continue in Mediterranean and Turkish Water bodies.
Maritime authorities conducted multiple rescue operations throughout the reporting period. On November 25, 80 migrants were intercepted off Izmir in Turkey before 142 migrants were rescued off Gran Canaria on the same date. Additionally, on November 26 and 29 more rescue operations occurred: 132 saved off Mauritania as well as 41 off Izmir before ending up off Gran Canaria as refugees on November 30.
Migration operations continue to pose humanitarian issues and use maritime routes for irregular migration, placing significant demands on coast guards and maritime rescue resources from multiple nations and necessitating coordinated international response mechanisms.
Incidents of Port Security Failure and Cargo Theft at Sea Ports
On November 25 at Beira Port in Mozambique, the container ship MERKUR HORIZON was robbed, highlighting persistent security vulnerabilities at African port facilities. Furthermore, on November 26 at Bocas de Toro Marina Carenero Panama thefts occurred illustrating that theft incidents span vessel types and geographies.
Emerging Threats and Protest Activity
Climate activists targeted the luxury yacht LADY CHRISTINE in London, United Kingdom on November 25, marking an increase in activism-driven maritime security incidents. On November 29 a protest action blocked a bulk carrier from entering an Australian port demonstrating that environmental and social activism increasingly intersects with maritime operations and port access.
These incidents represent non-traditional security threats that go beyond typical piracy, trafficking and geopolitical issues, necessitating maritime operators to establish comprehensive security protocols designed to cover multiple threat vectors.