Gulf of Guinea Piracy Surges as Container-Based Drone Attacks Escalate

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  • Cargo Vessel Attacked Near São Tomé as Gulf of Guinea Piracy Rises.
  • Drone Attacks From Shipping Containers Escalate Maritime Security Threats.
  • Ukraine Uses Container-Launched Drones in Strikes on Russian Bases.

The maritime industry is going through some major changes, with new threats affecting commercial shipping and port operations all around the globe. This week’s Maritime Security Threat Advisory brings to light some critical updates, including a rise in piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and the emergence of drone-based security threats, reports Dryad Global.

Gulf of Guinea: Rising Piracy Incidents

Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has surged by 30% in 2025, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the area. On May 30th, armed attackers boarded the cargo vessel ORANGE FROST near São Tomé and Príncipe. Thanks to the crew’s quick thinking and their citadel response, they managed to minimise casualties; however, one engineer is still missing and is feared to be kidnapped.

This incident follows a similar attack in April on the SEA PANTHER off the coast of Nigeria, pointing to a troubling trend of increased pirate activity and targeted theft of ship equipment. Mariners operating in this region are strongly urged to bolster their security measures and stay alert as Pirate Action Groups (PAGs) become more sophisticated.

Containerised Drone Attacks: A New Global Threat

In a significant escalation, Ukraine’s Security Service recently launched an attack on four Russian airbases using 117 FPV drones that were launched from modified shipping containers. These containers had remotely operated roofs, allowing the drones to slip past traditional security checks and cause serious damage to aircraft and infrastructure.

This development raises serious alarms for global maritime security. Standard shipping containers, which are commonly used in international trade, could easily be transformed into covert drone launch platforms, posing threats to ports, naval assets, and coastal facilities around the world.

Recommendations for Ports and Operators

To counter these evolving threats, Dryad Global advises:

  1. Enhanced Screening: Employ advanced X-ray scanning and AI-driven anomaly detection to identify hidden drones inside containers.
  2. Improved Monitoring: Strengthen AIS (Automatic Identification System) and satellite surveillance for real-time threat tracking.
  3. Counter-Drone Defences: Implement radar detection and RF jamming technologies to detect and neutralise drone-based threats.

Regional and International Maritime Updates

Additional important developments include:

  1. Container disruptions are affecting Singapore and other major Asian ports.
  2. The European Union’s proposal for a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub aimed at countering Russian naval activities.
  3. Growing concerns about dark fleet vessels re-entering mainstream shipping despite ongoing sanctions pressure.

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Source: Dryad Global