Monthly Intelligence Report June 2026

This month’s issue of the Monthly Intelligence Report covers incidents that took place between May 1 - 31, 2026, in three focus regions:

• West Africa

• Western Indian Ocean (including the Persian Gulf)

• South East Asia

Focus topic: The narco shadow on global trade

This month, we are taking a look at the impact of drug smuggling, particularly cocaine, and commercial maritime operations. The slight drop in seizures in the first quarter of 2026 is deceptive since these apparent improvements are largely due to reporting caps and non-disclosure policies. With cocaine production reaching unprecedented levels and criminal groups constantly adapting their methods, problems for legitimate global trade are likely to persist.

In addition, the report provides a brief update on the maritime implications of the war in Ukraine.

This month's risk and threat assessment

In the report's assessment, the main incidents are put into a broader context to highlight current threat levels and potential changes for maritime operations. Moreover, the report includes forecasts that cover the main concerns in the coming weeks.