JMIC: Maritime threats continue in the Middle East despite short pause

The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) has provided the latest assessment of threats, incidents and operational guidance for vessels in the Middle East region as of 8 March.

The Joint Maritime Information Center issued an advisory on 8 March highlighting that the regional maritime threat environment continues to be critical, which indicates that attacks against commercial shipping remain likely and operating conditions are highly hazardous. Commercial vessels operating within the critical threat area are strongly encouraged to register with, and maintain reporting contact with, UKMTO, regardless of AIS transmission status. 

Direct reporting enables rapid contact with vessels or company security officers should urgent safety or security information need to be passed.

According to JMIC, no maritime attacks against commercial vessels have been reported in now more than 24 hours. However, credible threats persist against merchant shipping and offshore energy infrastructure operating within the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden.

The absence of new attacks should be interpreted as a temporary lull rather than a change in adversary intent. 

…the advidory notes.

Nevertheless, a reported drone strike on 7 March targeted offshore energy infrastructure near Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia. Initial reports indicate structural damage, though the extent of operational disruption remains under assessment.

GNSS / GPS interference environment

Significant GNSS interference, spoofing, and jamming continue across the Strait of Hormuz approaches, Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Gulf. Over the past 24 hours, more than 600 GNSS disruption events have been reported within the operational area based on aggregated open-source monitoring and maritime reporting. Documented impacts include:

• Positional offsets
• AIS anomalies
• Intermittent signal degradation

These effects are impacting several hundred maritime assets. In the Eastern Mediterranean, similar disruptions are reported near naval activity and task groups. In the Red Sea, interference remains concentrated near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Given the degraded positional integrity environment, mariners should consider increased reliance on traditional navigation methods, including radar ranges, visual bearings, and cross-checking ECDIS inputs with secondary navigation systems.

The maritime threat environment across the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman remains critical, with no confirmed indicators of de-escalation. Current conditions reflect a sustained hostile operating environment rather than a meaningful reduction in risk.

Threats from missiles, UAVs, stand-off projectiles, and sabotage-style attacks remain credible, particularly for vessels that are:

• Anchored
• Drifting
• Operating predictably
• Providing assistance to recently affected vessels

Several major carriers continue to suspend or defer transits, and vessels remaining in the area are urged to maximize distance from military assets and avoid unnecessary time spent at anchor or alongside in high-risk zones.

The situation remains substantial due to the ongoing regional conflict and the continued hostile posture of the Houthis toward commercial shipping. No verified Houthi attacks against commercial vessels have been confirmed since the escalation of hostilities beginning on 28 February.

However, intelligence and open-source reporting indicate that Houthi forces retain the capability and intent to conduct maritime attacks in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden, including the use of anti-ship missiles, one-way attack UAVs, and uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).

source : safety4sea