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. Targeted attacks and resurgent piracy activities pose severe challenges to safe navigation. This report, published for the first time by the Directorate General of Shipping, India, in a structured annual publication format, aims to systematically review key developments and institutional responses from the past year. It serves as both a comprehensive reflection on the current security reality and a forward-looking assessment of evolving future risks.

The report features a rigorous structure, offering a comprehensive perspective ranging 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 details how it 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 piracy and armed robbery incidents were recorded throughout 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. It is noteworthy that approximately 12% of the affected crew were Indian nationals, with a total of 187 individuals directly exposed to security incidents. Fortunately, thanks to well-coordinated response mechanisms and onboard security protocols, there were no fatalities among Indian seafarers this year. Through case studies such as the piracy incident involving MV Lila Norfolk, the attack and fire on MT Martin Luanda, and the hijacking and rescue of 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: a shift from low-tech, near-shore piracy activities to high-tech hybrid warfare modes in open seas. Risk factors such as attacker weapon preferences, temporal patterns of incidents (75% occurred at night), types of targeted vessels (bulk carriers and tankers were most frequently attacked), and operational distances (pirate activities off East Africa have notably extended into Exclusive Economic Zones) are systematically analyzed. Consequently, the report concludes by proposing a series of operational recommendations. These include enhancing lookouts and surveillance, strengthening citadel structures, promoting CCTV and AI-integrated monitoring systems, ensuring digital connectivity during crises, and continuously improving crew security competencies and drill proficiency. These recommendations are designed to provide practical and actionable security 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 aimed at strengthening institutional foresight and resilience. It emphasizes the critical importance of building a comprehensive, multi-layered maritime security architecture through domestic inter-agency collaboration and international partnerships in an increasingly complex threat environment, offering valuable reference material for researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners in related fields.