January 2026 saw a significant increase in conflict-related maritime attacks in the Black Sea. This was driven by ongoing spill-over from the Russia-Ukraine war and a rise in the use of drones against commercial shipping. In contrast, irregular migration activity in the Mediterranean fell sharply because of severe winter weather, including Cyclone Harry. Meanwhile, there was a notable increase in illegal boardings and thefts off the West African coast and in South Asia. This highlights ongoing maritime security risks in important anchorage areas and transit corridors.
View our FREE Monthly Maritime Security Incident Report below for January 2026.
