Please find attached, at Annex A, the Risk Intelligence Monthly Report for August 2023, and the Northern Black Sea Report of 31 August provided at Annex B. This month’s report focuses on the situation in the Persian Gulf which has made headlines in recent weeks. After a significant US military deployment as well as an offer to provide US Marines as armed guards to merchant ships, many operators believe that the outlook for the immediate future is deteriorating. The report looks at current events and the broader context to see whether the threat for maritime operations has indeed increased. The report also covers incidents that took place between August 1-31 in West Africa, the Western Indian Ocean, and Southeast Asia. The Northern Black Sea Report puts the week’s main incidents into a broader context to highlight current threat levels and potential changes for maritime operations. The report also contains a port status overview and forecast that cover the main concerns going forward.

In accordance with the scope of the agreement between ICS and Risk Intelligence, members are requested not to circulate the report further in its entirety. Members may precis the report or use extracts from it to help advise members on key issues or to assist in enquiries. In such cases Risk Intelligence should be acknowledged as the source of the information.

MC(23)74 -Annex B – Risk Intelligence Northern Black Sea – Russia Ports Report_31AUG2023

MC(23)74 -Annex A – Monthly Intelligence Report September 2023