Monthly Intelligence Report March 2024

This month’s issue of the Monthly Intelligence Report covers incidents that took place between February 1 - 29, 2024, in three focus regions:

• West Africa

• Western Indian Ocean (including the Persian Gulf)

• South East Asia

Focus topic: Cocaine smuggling and maritime implications

This month, we are taking a look at problems caused for the maritime industry by cocaine smuggling. Due to record production levels and increasing demand in many countries, new smuggling hubs and routes are constantly emerging, often with direct impacts on merchant ships and their crews. For owners and operators, it is vital to monitor these developments to prevent – or at least limit – the exposure to cocaine smuggling.

In addition, the report provides a brief update on the maritime implications of the war in Ukraine.

This month's risk and threat assessment

In the report's assessment, the main incidents are put into a broader context to highlight current threat levels and potential changes for maritime operations. Moreover, the report includes forecasts that cover the main concerns in the coming weeks.