Shipping Administration: Annual Maritime Safety Assessment Report

Key Chapter Title List

1. The Geopolitical Landscape of Maritime Security: 2024
2. India's Role in Maritime Security
3. Statistical Analysis of Security Incidents (January-December 2024)
4. Notable Incidents
5. Global Trends in Maritime Security (January-December 2024)
6. Modus Operandi and Risk Factors
7. Recommendations and Best Practices
8. Key Information

Document Introduction

Against the backdrop of global trade's heavy reliance on maritime routes, maritime security has become a core pillar for safeguarding national interests, ensuring economic stability, and protecting the lives of seafarers. In 2024, instability in critical waterways—particularly the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Western Indian Ocean, and adjacent waters—has intensified, with targeted attacks and resurgent piracy posing severe challenges to safe navigation. This report, published for the first time in a structured annual publication format by the Directorate General of Shipping, India, aims to systematically review the key developments and institutional responses over the past year. It serves both as a comprehensive reflection on the current security reality and a forward-looking assessment of evolving future risks.

The report is rigorously structured, offering a comprehensive perspective from macro-geopolitical analysis to micro-operational recommendations. It begins by outlining the importance of maritime security for global trade and geopolitical stability, highlighting the persistent impact of traditional and non-traditional threats such as piracy, armed robbery, and geopolitical conflicts on supply chains and personnel safety. Subsequently, the report provides a detailed analysis of India's strategic positioning and leadership role in the Indian Ocean region. It focuses on the collaborative mechanisms between the Directorate General of Shipping and domestic agencies like the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, as well as key hubs such as the "Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region" and the "Merchant Ship Domain Awareness Centre," in enhancing maritime domain awareness and coordinating emergency responses. The report also provides the shipping industry with real-time threat assessments and risk mitigation guidance through the issuance of maritime security advisories and circulars.

The analysis in this report is based on empirical data from the entirety of 2024. Statistics show a total of 227 recorded incidents of piracy and armed robbery for the year, representing a 17% increase from 2023 and continuing the upward trajectory observed since 2022. The types of incidents displayed diverse characteristics, with missile attacks (including near misses) accounting for a significant 66%, and drone/unmanned surface vessel attacks comprising 33%, indicating a notable evolution in the technical means of hostile actions. Notably, approximately 12% of affected crew members were Indian nationals, with a total of 187 individuals directly exposed to security incidents. Fortunately, due to well-coordinated response mechanisms and onboard security protocols, no fatalities among Indian seafarers occurred this year. Through case studies such as the piracy incident involving the "MV Lila Norfolk," the attack and fire on the "MT Martin Luanda," and the hijacking and rescue of the "MV Ruen," the report provides an in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of joint operations by the Indian Navy and relevant agencies, as well as the value of international cooperation.

Based on deep insights into the evolution of threats, the report identifies a core trend: the shift from low-tech, near-shore piracy activities to high-tech, offshore "hybrid warfare" models. Risk factors such as attacker weapon preferences, temporal patterns of incidents (75% occurring at night), types of targeted vessels (bulk carriers and tankers being most frequently attacked), and operational ranges (with East African piracy activities notably extending into Exclusive Economic Zones) are systematically analyzed. Consequently, the report concludes with a series of operational recommendations. These include enhancing lookouts and surveillance, strengthening citadel structures, promoting CCTV and AI-integrated monitoring, ensuring digital connectivity during crises, and continuously improving crew security competencies and drill proficiency. These recommendations aim to provide practical and actionable safety enhancement solutions for vessels navigating high-risk areas.

This report is not only a summary of the security situation in the Indian Ocean and other key global maritime regions over the past year but also a forward-looking document designed to strengthen institutional foresight and resilience. It emphasizes the critical importance, within an increasingly complex threat environment, of building a comprehensive, multi-layered maritime security architecture through domestic inter-agency collaboration and international partnerships. It serves as a valuable reference for researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners in related fields.