Loss Prevention Advice
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A Russian drone strike at a Black Sea port near Odesa killed one person and injured six others, Ukrainian officials reported on 13 February.
According to Reuters, the drone strike targeted one of Odesa’s three major ports, crucial for Ukraine’s maritime exports and wartime economy. The attack damaged infrastructure, fertiliser warehouses, and vehicles, sparking fires, but the port remained operational.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said Russia launched “massive strikes” on port and railway infrastructure. Ukraine’s air force reported that 154 drones and one ballistic missile were fired overnight, with 111 drones downed or neutralized.
Odesa regional governor Oleh Kiper described the attacks as causing “substantial” disruption to power, heat, and water supplies, while DTEK, the country’s major private energy company, said the damage to energy infrastructure was “extremely serious” and repairs will take a long time.
Railway infrastructure in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region was also attacked, Reuters informs.
A few days later, on 15 February, Russia’s Black Sea port of Taman suffered damage from a Ukrainian drone attack.
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A vessel was approached by a small craft off the coast of Yemen on 17 February according to the UKMTO.
The incident occurred 70 nautical miles southwest of Aden at 10:16 UTC, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported. The agency said the vessel was hailed by a white skiff carrying five people, followed by gunfire, and that two additional skiffs were also observed nearby.
It remains unclear whether the attack is connected to Yemen’s Houthi movement, which has previously targeted vessels in the area.
Attacks in the region have eased in recent months, allowing some shipping companies to resume Red Sea and Suez Canal transits rather than diverting around Africa.
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Over the past week, 10-15 February, no incident of armed robbery against ships in Asia.
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; and the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.
Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah
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’.
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)”. Also, to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.
Recommendations
Ship master 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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Bulk cargo-handling operations can evolve into major financial, legal and regulatory exposure when established industry best practices are not followed.
The simultaneous discharge of multiple cargo grades, to multiple receivers, across multiple ports, a practice frequently requested for commercial convenience, can create conditions in which quantity discrepancies are almost inevitable. Once detected, such discrepancies can lead to customs intervention, significant commercial claims and the emergence of complex multi-party disputes.
While simultaneous discharge of multiple cargo grades is strongly discouraged, there are occasions when owners are asked to do so to save time and reduce port-related costs. Furthermore, in some cases, commercial pressure may push owners to make operational decisions that deviate from recommended best practices.