Maritime security is under the spotlight once again following a series of concerning piracy incidents off the coast of Somalia, according to Dryad Global.
In February 2025, three fishing vessels were hijacked in the region, with one later freed. This development raises fears of a resurgence in Somali piracy — a threat that had largely been suppressed over the past decade by coordinated international naval efforts and improved vessel security.
However, with military attention recently diverted away from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden due to a reduction in Houthi rebel attacks, a security vacuum may now be emerging, Dryad pointed out. The hijacking of these fishing vessels is particularly significant, as they can be repurposed as motherships to facilitate attacks further offshore against larger commercial vessels.
The concerns are not limited to East Africa. Piracy in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly in the Bay of Campeche, is also escalating. In a recent incident on the night of 14/15 February 2025, two oil platforms operated by Pemex were boarded by armed sea robbers. The attackers remained onboard through the night, robbing oil workers and seriously injuring two individuals.
“This is just the latest in a series of violent attacks targeting the energy sector in the region. Despite efforts by the Mexican Navy, including deploying drones and naval vessels under Operation Refuerzo, security gaps remain. Delays in military response, reportedly due to budget and logistical constraints, leave offshore operations vulnerable,” said the analyst.
