Hot Zones

What are Hot Zones in Maritime Shipping?

Hot zones are geographic areas that are considered high risk for ships to pass through. These zones are labeled high risk due to safety concerns stemming from piracy, accidents, environmental hazards, congestion, and wars. Shippers must take precautions to protect their cargo, crew, and vessels when traversing these areas. 

Where are Some of Today’s Hot Zones?

Hot zones shift over time based on current events, while others remain due to their topography. The following table shows some of today’s most important hot zones. 

What is a Piracy Zone?

Piracy zones are a subset of hot zones. These are areas that are prone to attacks from pirates. These attacks often feature crew members and cargo being held for ransom and theft. Security teams monitor these zones closely, and ships passing through these areas often take extra security precautions. 

Key characteristics of piracy zones include:

• Frequent pirate attacks: repeated incidents where pirates board ships 
• Organized pirate groups: these pirate networks operate in tandem using fast boats, weapons, and technology to track and take control of vessels
• Lack of local law enforcement: these areas are typically near countries with limited law enforcement or political instability

Well-known piracy zones include:

• Gulf of Aden and Somali Coast: in August, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued US Maritime Advisory 2024-010, noting that there were six reported hijacking incidents in this area since November 2023
• Strait of Malacca: Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia, ReCAAP, noted this is an area of concern, with 21 incidents reported between January and June 2024
• West African coast: The US DOT issued US Maritime Advisory 2024-016 in June 2024, noting that piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom posed a significant threat to vessels in the Gulf of Guinea, detailing three different kidnapping for ransom events that took place in the area

Can Security Teams Without Physical Access to Ships Truly Assess Risk?

One unexpected incident can disrupt entire supply chains, put valuable assets at risk, and impact both safety and profitability. This is where security teams become indispensable – acting as the frontline defense to safeguard crews, vessels, cargo, and company interests from the volatile and unpredictable nature of global waters.

For these teams, staying ahead of potential threats isn’t just a necessity – it’s mission-critical for the safety and success of the business.

Maritime organizations hat are concerned about hot zones can take a targeted approach to predict and mitigate threats. Security teams should begin by gathering intelligence. For those with budget limitations and perhaps lower exposure to risk, platforms like the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) present piracy data on their website. This up-to-date information on piracy can offer some help for planners to avoid hot zones when preparing their initial shipping routes. 

Before the ship leaves, shippers can conduct route analysis, identify hot spots and choke points, and suggest alternate routes for ships. 

Government and law enforcement agencies can benefit from a Maritime AI™ platform that can monitor hotspot activities, send automatic alerts, and allow for easy information sharing. This technology makes it easy to see what is happening in disputed areas that are part of the great power competition, and thus vulnerable to expansionism disguised as IUU fishing, to give one example. 

Traders and shippers, freight forwarders, etc., also need as much information as possible about hot zones. 

These organizations can also monitor weather and environmental risks, and attempt to influence vessel routes, so that they avoid storms and other weather systems that might delay or damage a shipment or freight. 

Organizations throughout the maritime and supply chain ecosystems should track geopolitical events. Conflict zones, political instability, and sanctions can lead to the creation of new hot zones, or existing zones shifting to new areas. Strikes, blockades, and other port disruptions can cause delays and make some areas more vulnerable to pirates. 

AI tools like Windward’s Maritime AI™ provide security teams with a leg up in their research and planning. AI tools ingest data from multiple sources and provide shippers with a comprehensive risk analysis of any ocean journey. These tools can also recommend alternate vessels that appear to be at lower risk of entering a hot zone, or engaging in risky behavior. 

What Role Does Technology Play in Monitoring Hot Zones?

Technology plays a crucial role in monitoring and navigating hot zones. Security teams use AIS data to track vessel locations in real-time, so they know if a ship has entered high-risk areas. Satellite imagery, drones, and maritime surveillance systems provide additional layers of visibility, offering real-time insights into piracy activities or military actions. And advanced data analytics platforms and AI solutions help security teams predict risks, analyze routes, and recommend safer alternatives, even without direct access to the vessel.