Loss Prevention Advice
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US Central Command forces disabled the steering gear of the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Vela Nova after it attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman towards an Iranian port in violation of the US blockade.
A US Navy MH-60 helicopter was the one that fired two Hellfire missiles at the Vela Nova’s engine room after the civilian crew failed to respond to repeated warnings from US forces.
The strike disabled the vessel and prevented it from continuing towards Iran, and the US blockade remains in effect. The forces had redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to breach the blockade, disabled three non-compliant vessels and boarded two others.
The US forces operating in the Middle East remain on heightened alert and prepared to respond to further attempts to violate the blockade.
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In August 2026, the risk profile for the dry bulk fleet in the northeastern Black Sea fundamentally shifted.
The region has seen a transition from zero statistical incidents to deliberate, targeted strikes on dry cargo vessels at the outer anchorages of Novorossiysk and Tuapse ports.
These mark the first such attacks in the 4.5 years of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Additionally, several vessels were attacked in international waters on approach to these ports or while underway.
Footage of the attacks released by Ukrainian forces can be viewed at the following link:
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Over the past week, 4-10 August, no incident of piracy or armed robbery against ships in Asia.
Area of concern
An advises ships shall to continue to intensify vigilance, maintain a sharp look-out while anchoring or transiting areas of concern, including the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and report all incidents to the law enforcement agencies immediately. The littoral States are advised to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.
Situation update
For the 6th consecutive year, there has been no report of incident of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah. The last incident occurred on 17 Jan 2020.
In January 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts further downgraded the threat level of ‘Abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ to ‘LOW’, meaning ‘No information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence incidents are not expected to occur’.
In its Advisory on 14 Feb 2025 advised ships to “exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM)”.
Recommendations
Ship masters and crew are to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, referring to the Poster on the Contact Details for Reporting of Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, exercise vigilance and adopt appropriate preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.
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Two separate maritime security incidents on August 5 involving tankers operating off Yemen and in the Strait of Hormuz.
A tanker operating approximately 95 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen, reported hearing a loud explosion in close proximity to the vessel, according to the ship’s master. All crew were accounted for and safe, and no environmental impact was reported.