1. References: None

2. Issue: Although there are currently no specific piracy threats to U.S. flagged commercial vessels in this region, piracy continues to pose a general threat to all commercial vessels operating in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean. Since January 2025, there have been three reported boarding/hijacking incidents. Pirates have utilized fishing vessels as motherships. While the overall threat has diminished, the piracy threat still remains out to 600NM from the coast of Somalia. Specific case details are available at the Office of Naval Intelligence’s “Worldwide Threat to Shipping” and “Piracy Analysis and Warnings” website at https://www.oni.navy.mil/ONI-Reports/Shipping-Threat-Reports/Worldwide-Threat-to-Shipping/.

3. Guidance:

The Best Management Practices (BMP) Maritime Security and the Maritime Global Security website at https://www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org should be consulted prior to operating in those geographic waters.

U.S.-flagged commercial vessels should coordinate voyage planning with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) and adopt their recommendations and guidance whenever possible. NAVCENT NCAGS stands a 24-hour watch and has the latest information on the current maritime security threats and the operational environment in this region.

Armed security details onboard vessels transiting these areas have successfully deterred boarding by individuals in approaching small craft. The decision whether to utilize an armed security detail and the assessment of associated risks remains the responsibility of individual companies and vessel Masters, who are responsible for establishing use of force guidance and pre-planned responses for vessels carrying contracted armed security details.

Transit by yachts and privately owned sailing vessels through these waters is hazardous and may result in capture. The U.S. Government advises against all operation of yachts and pleasure craft in these waters.

American citizens abroad should inform the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of their plans to transit the area and/or update their information via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at: https://step.state.gov/step/.

U.S.-flagged commercial vessels operating in these waters are advised to conduct a pre-voyage risk assessment, incorporate appropriate protective measures into vessel security plans, exercise caution, and monitor VHF Channel 16. In the event of any attack, incident, or suspicious activity, immediately activate the Ship Security Alert System, contact the U.S. Fifth Fleet Battle Watch, and contact the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Office (UKMTO).

U.S.-flagged commercials vessels should register with the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Office (UKMTO) 24 hours prior to entering the Indian Ocean Voluntary Reporting Area shown on UK Hydrographic Office Maritime Security Chart Q6099 (https://cd.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/ukmto/charts/q6099.pdf) utilizing the Initial Report and subsequent reports at https://www.ukmto.org/reporting-formats. Include estimated times of arrival at the Strait of Hormuz (SoH), Bab el Mandeb Strait (BAM), and/or Suez Canal in the “Destination and estimated time of arrival” field of the report and add additional comments as needed (e.g., speed restrictions or other constraints, anticipated time of entering/exiting the BAM Maritime Security Transit Corridor, an outline of the vessel’s navigation plan for operating in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and/or Indian Ocean, etc.) in the same Destination field. These reports will automatically be forwarded to NAVCENT NCAGS.

Vessels operating in this area are advised to include the NAVCENT NCAGS watch on all update and incident report emails.

The Maritime Global Security website at https://www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org/ offers industry-issued best practices and guidance to mariners by geographic region and provides contact and subscription information for regional maritime security reporting centers, particularly in high risk-areas.

Answer all VHF calls from coalition navies. Vessels should be aware that U.S. and other coalition naval forces may conduct maritime awareness calls, queries, and approaches to ensure the safety of vessels transiting these listed waters.

Due to the risks of piracy, kidnapping, hijacking, and robbery while operating within U.S. Coast Guard designated High-Risk Waters (HRW), U.S.-flagged commercial vessels are required to comply with the Guidelines for U.S. Vessels Operating in High-Risk Waters contained in U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Directive 104-6 (Rev 9) and comply with their Coast Guard approved Vessel Security Plan annex on counter piracy. U.S. vessel owners and operators needing access to MARSEC Directive 104–6 should immediately contact their local Coast Guard Captain of the Port or District Commander for a copy of Revision 9.

Per 33 CFR 101.305, report all suspicious activities, breaches of security, and transportation security incident events involving U.S. vessels or persons to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center. Additional U.S. Coast Guard port specific requirements may be found in Port Security Advisory 2-25 at PSA 2-25_COE_Djibouti.pdf

4. Contact Information:

a) Fifth Fleet Battle Watch: cusnc.bwc@me.navy.mil or + 973-1785-3879.

b) NAVCENT NCAGS: +973-1785-0033 (Primary/Watch Desk), +973-3940-4523 (Alternate), or m-ba-navcent-ncags@us.navy.mil.

c) UKMTO: watchkeepers@ukmto.org or +44 (0) 2392 222060. UKMTO advisories and warnings are available at https://www.ukmto.org/.

d) U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center: +1-800-424-8802.

5. Cancellation of Prior Advisories:

This message supersedes and cancels U.S. Maritime Advisory 2025-003 and will automatically expire on February 9, 2026.

For maritime industry questions about this Advisory, contact the Global Maritime Operational Threat Response Coordination Center at GMCC@uscg.mil. Supplemental information about U.S. Maritime Alerts and Advisories, including subscription details, may be found at: https://www.maritime.dot.gov/msci. Feedback provided by U.S. maritime industry stakeholders regarding the U.S. Maritime Advisory System has greatly supported the USG in pursuing continued enhancements to this system. Feedback to MARADSecurity@dot.gov is always welcome.