A British maritime authority has reported “suspicious activity” off the coast of the UAE, coinciding with a rise in reports of unusual maritime incidents. This matter involves monitoring boats and suspicious activities in crucial sections of the UAE’s coastline, where the British authority has received specific reports regarding an incident that took place in this critical area.
On Friday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced that it had received reports of a suspicious event occurring 20 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan, a site of strategic significance. Official spokespersons described this incident as suspicious activity and noted that UAE authorities are currently investigating it. However, no additional details regarding the nature of the activity or the parties involved have been disclosed thus far.
This suspicious activity is not the first of its kind in recent years. In May 2025, UKMTO detected a similar incident near the UAE, where a vessel reported being struck by a small boat that subsequently attempted to collide with other ships in the vicinity. Such incidents, classified as suspicious activity, highlight the increasing risks in maritime corridors.
In August 2021, UKMTO issued a warning regarding a “non-piracy incident” east of Fujairah city, when an oil tanker known as the “Asphalt Princess” was approached near the UAE coast. An Iranian group was alleged to have carried out this action. The authority also addressed a “potential incident” near the Fujairah coast in April 2021, recommending that vessels avoid the area, reflecting the frequency of suspicious activity in these waters.
The recurring incidents serve as evidence of escalating maritime security risks in the Gulf, attributed to unconventional activities such as small boats, boarding incidents, and potential attacks involving drones or armed vessels. In recent years, there has been an increase in UKMTO warnings regarding risks such as interference with navigation systems, as well as potential sabotage affecting ships.
In light of this suspicious activity, the incident near Khor Fakkan raises important questions about the readiness of UAE maritime security and the necessity for ongoing coordination with regional and international partners to ensure the safety of maritime navigation. The situation along the UAE’s coastline remains concerning, necessitating increased vigilance and investigations to protect all passing vessels and the marine area in general.