- Qatar Halts Maritime Navigation Amid GPS Spoofing Disruption.
- Arabian Sea Sees Renewed Piracy Threats on Long-Range Routes.
- Iran-Linked Missile Supplies Sustain Regional Maritime Risk.
The global maritime security scene is changing quickly, with new threats popping up in key waterways from the Gulf of Aden to the Arabian Sea. This week’s intelligence update brings to light three significant developments that are impacting shipping and maritime operations, reports Dryad Global.
Gulf of Aden: Houthi Missile Threats Continue
On September 29, 2025, a Dutch-flagged merchant ship was hit by an anti-ship cruise missile while navigating the Gulf of Aden. The missile, a Mandab-2, is based on designs from Iran and China and has been supplied to Houthi forces through intricate smuggling networks. Even with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes aimed at missile infrastructure and supply routes throughout 2025, the Houthis still can pose a threat to the Maritime Security Transit Corridor (MSTC). Here are the key developments:
- Ongoing Iranian supply of ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, and components through both maritime and overland routes via Oman.
- Collaboration with groups like al-Shabaab to keep resupply efforts going.
- Utilization of shorter-range systems equipped with radar guidance and covert spotters on fishing boats allows for precise targeting.
The Gulf of Aden remains a high-risk area for commercial shipping, linking the Suez Canal, Djibouti, and East Africa.
Persian Gulf: GPS Spoofing Disrupts Qatari Shipping
On October 4, 2025, Qatar suspended all maritime navigation in its waters due to a significant GPS malfunction, which disrupted tanker and LNG traffic at crucial export terminals like Ras Laffan. This incident comes on the heels of increasing GPS jamming and spoofing incidents across the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, with vessels reporting false AIS positions appearing inland near Bandar Abbas.
Previous events, such as the tanker collision off Fujairah in June and the grounding of a merchant vessel in May, highlight the operational risks posed by electronic interference. This escalation, likely tied to the rising tensions between Iran and Israel, emphasises how vulnerable global LNG flows are to non-kinetic threats like GPS spoofing.
Arabian Sea: Piracy Threat Returns
The Arabian Sea is facing a resurgence of piracy threats that are now targeting long-range shipping routes. On September 25, a merchant ship reported that it was approached by a dhow towing four skiffs, located 540 nautical miles east of Socotra. Then, on October 5, a tanker flying the Portuguese flag spotted another suspected pirate mothership with three skiffs, about 500 nautical miles east of Socotra. Thankfully, both vessels managed to avoid confrontation by employing evasive manoeuvres.
These incidents suggest that piracy is expanding beyond its usual high-risk zones, adding to an already tough situation marked by missile threats and electronic interference.
Implications for Maritime Operators
The mix of state-sponsored threats, asymmetric tactics, and criminal activities across vital sea routes calls for increased vigilance and proactive risk management. Here are some key recommendations for shipping operators, charterers, and insurers:
- Stay alert while navigating the Gulf of Aden, especially within the MSTC.
- Keep an eye out for GPS anomalies in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and be prepared for potential navigation disruptions.
- Adopt Best Management Practices (BMP5) and ensure that crews are trained to respond effectively to piracy threats in the Arabian Sea.
- Factor in cyber and electronic warfare risks when planning voyages and conducting security assessments.
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Source: Dryad Global
