Trusted. Connected. Ready.  For more than 25 years, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre has been a trusted authority in the maritime security sector, helping protect crucial trade routes by providing mariners, shipping companies, and regional authorities with essential, verified and corroborated security information. UKMTO’s approach is and will always be, to support any mariner and maritime trade customer in the provision of information and reassurance.
In the Middle East and Indian Ocean Region, through theSingle Information Framework (SIF) agreement, UKMTO collaborates with global maritime stakeholders to provide timely and validated security alerts. UKMTO operates a Voluntary Reporting Scheme (VRS) within the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) outlined in UKHO Maritime Security Chart Q6099.

UKMTO acts as the primary point of contact for emergency response.

• Advisory UKMTO #2026
• 2 June 2026

Total Incidents Summary. Reporting period: 28 February 2026 - 02 June 2026, 0800UTC. UKMTO has received 53 reports of incidents affecting vessels operating in and around the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz (SOH), and Gulf of Oman. Total ATTACK reports: 29. Total SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY reports: 22. Total HIJACK reports: 2. Details of these incident reports are available below.

• Attack UKMTO #63
• 1 June 2026

UKMTO has received a report of an incident 40NM southeast of Umm Qasr, Iraq. A Cargo vessel was transiting in the Arabian Gulf when a large explosion following a hit from an unknown projectile on the starboard side. UKMTO is unaware of any environmental impact at this time. Update 001: UKMTO has been informed of a second impact to the Cargo Vessel, resulting in a fire which has since been extinguished. No report of injuries to crew. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

• Attack UKMTO #62
• 26 May 2026

UKMTO WARNING 062-26 - ATTACK Report Date:26 May 2026 Report Time: 0945UTC Issue Date:26 May 2026 Source Master UKMTO has received a report of an incident 60NM east of Muscat, Oman. The Master of a Tanker reports of an external explosion, Port side aft close to the waterline. The crew and vessel are safe, although the Master reports some bunker fuel has discharged into the sea. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

• Advisory UKMTO #61
• 23 May 2026

UKMTO ADVISORY 061-26 - ADVISORY Report Date: 23 May 2026 Report Time: 0830UTC Issue Date: 23 May 2026 Source Military authorities UKMTO has received reports from various sources of suspicious activity within the Gulf of Aden. There have been multiple reports of vessels being approached by Skiff’s, a large Skiff with two outboard engines has been observed carrying both ladders and weapons. Vessels transiting the area are advised to transit with caution, follow guidance written in BMP MS and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO. Authorities are investigating

• Suspicious Activity UKMTO #60
• 23 May 2026

UKMTO has received a report of an incident within the IRTC 200NM west of Socotra. The Master of a products tanker has reported that the vessel was approached by a small craft with 5 persons onboard, closest point of approach 100m. The vessel’s Armed Security Team were deployed and the small craft altered course away from the reporting vessel. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO whilst authorities investigate.

• Suspicious Activity UKMTO #59
• 22 May 2026

UKMTO has received a report of an incident 98NM north of Socotra. The CSO of a tanker has confirmed that the vessel was approached by a small craft with five persons onboard. The vessels Armed Security Team fired warning shots at the small craft which forced them to alter course. Authorities are investigating.

• Suspicious Activity UKMTO #57
• 14 May 2026

UKMTO has received a report of an incident 38NM northeast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. The CSO has reported that the vessel has been taken by unauthorised personnel whist at anchor and is now bound for Iranian Territorial Waters. UKMTO continue to investigate.

• Attack UKMTO #56
• 10 May 2026

UKMTO WARNING - 056-26 - ATTACK UKMTO has received a report of an incident 23NM northeast of DOHA, QATAR. The Master of a Bulk Carrier reports being hit by an unknown projectile. There was a small fire that has been extinguished, there are no casualties. There is no reported environmental impact.

• Attack UKMTO #55
• 5 May 2026

UKMTO WARNING 55-2026. UKMTO has received a report of an incident within the Strait of Hormuz. A verified source reported a cargo vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile. Environmental impact is unknown at time of report. Vessels are advised to report any suspicious activity to UKMTO, whilst authorities investigate.

• Suspicious Activity UKMTO #54
• 4 May 2026

UKMTO WARNING 052-26. UKMTO has received a report of an incident 14NM west of Mina Saqr, United Arab Emirates. UKMTO received information from a third party that a vessel was on fire and requesting vessels in the vicinity to keep a safe distance from them. The cause of the fire has not been verified at this time No environmental impact reported Authorities are investigating.

• Attack UKMTO #52
• 3 May 2026

UKMTO WARNING-ATTACK 052-26. UKMTO has received a report of an incident 78NM north of Fujairah. United Arab Emirates. A tanker has reported being hit by unknown projectiles. All crew reported safe. No environmental impact reported.

• Attack UKMTO #50
• 3 May 2026

UKMTO has received a report of an incident 11NM west of Sirik, Iran. The Master of a northbound bulk carrier has reported being attacked by multiple small craft. All crew reported safe and no environmental impact reported. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO, authorities are investigating.

• Suspicious Activity UKMTO #51
• 3 May 2026

UKMTO has received a report from several Masters in the vicinity of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, that they have been directed via VHF broadcast to move from their anchorages. Authorities continue to investigate and vessels are requested to continue to report any further suspicious activity.

• Suspicious Activity UKMTO #49
• 2 May 2026

UKMTO WARNING 049-2026. UKMTO has received a report of a suspicious approach 84NM southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen. The Master of a bulk carrier has reported being approached to within 500 metres by 1 green hulled skiff which was accompanied by 1 white fishing vessel. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO while authorities continue to investigate.

• Suspicious Activity UKMTO #48
• 1 May 2026

UKMTO WARNING 048-26. UKMTO has received a report of an incident within the IRTC, 92NM southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen. The Master of bulk carrier has reported being approached by a skiff with a black hull carrying seven armed persons. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO while authorities continue to investigate.