Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q2 – sanctions enforcement, insurgency, and armed robberies

Commercial vessels anchored in the Singapore Strait. Credit: Photo by Alexander K on Unsplash

Thomas Timlen, Senior Analyst at Risk Intelligence, shared his insights in a recent Seatrade Maritime article, highlighting the key maritime security developments across Asia during Q2 2026.

Published on 24 July 2026, the article examines the main security trends affecting Asian waters during the second quarter of the year. It highlights a significant increase in sanctions enforcement activity in the Indian Ocean, where US authorities intensified operations targeting vessels linked to Iranian oil trade, alongside growing concerns over insurgency activity expanding into the maritime domain following a rare attack on a Pakistani Coast Guard vessel.

The article also reviews developments in regional maritime crime. While reported theft and armed robbery incidents increased compared to the previous quarter, largely driven by activity at anchorages such as Manila, boardings in the Singapore Strait remained at relatively low levels, continuing the marked improvement seen since 2025. Despite this positive trend, concerns remain over the violent behaviour of some perpetrators and the continued risks faced by seafarers.

Alongside operational security developments, the article explores the broader geopolitical landscape, including continued tensions around Taiwan and the South China Sea, renewed confrontations between China and the Philippines, and ongoing negotiations on the South China Sea Code of Conduct.

Read the full article on Seatrade Maritime.


📌 For a look at trends over time, see the insights presented in the articles linked below:
- Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q1 2026 – Fewer boardings and sanctions enforcement
- Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q4 2025 - smuggling and ship boardings
- Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q3 2025 - Singapore Strait vessel boardings nosedive
- Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q2 2025 - Sharp rise of Singapore Strait boardings raise concerns
- Seatrade Maritime | Asian maritime security in Q3 2024 – hijacking returns and AIS spoofing

RISK ASSESSMENT REPORTS:

Empower your decision-making with Risk Intelligence's comprehensive risk assessment reports

Tailored to your needs, our reports offer in-depth analyses of threats for specific operations, regions, or routes. Whether it's the Voyage Risk Assessment for operational readiness or the Security Risk Assessment for strategic planning, our insights equip you with the knowledge to mitigate risks effectively.