Marine Security Advisory: 01/2026 - Security Situation in the Caribbean Sea

8 January 2026

Marine Security Advisory: 01/2026

Subject: Security Situation in the Caribbean Sea

Reference:

(a) Best Management Practices for Maritime Security

(b) Maritime Security Advisory 01/2025

Dear Shipowner/Operator/Master of Liberian flagged vessels,

Due to recent military activity in the Caribbean Sea, all Liberian flagged vessels transiting the Venezuelan Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and ports in Venezuela should implement measures equivalent to security level 2 in their Ship Security Plan.

Recommendations

Given the ongoing volatile security situation in this region, it is strongly advised that shipowners, operators and masters trading in these waters should assess the risk associated with port calls taking into account nationality of owners and seafarers; and cargo on board.

It is recommended that shipowners, masters and operators continue to follow mitigation measures outlined in reference (a), watch teams and security personnel maintaining a persistent watch while transiting near the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

Continuous and careful monitoring of the evolving situation is strongly recommended. Shipowners, operators and masters should obtain the most current information from the relevant government organizations of the countries where seafarers are ordinarily resident, local port agents, local port authorities, and P&I correspondents.

The shipping industry will continue to monitor and advise on maritime security threats to assist the safe transit of vessels and seafarers.

US Navy C4F NCAGS (Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping) acts as the primary contact for merchant vessels and liaison with military forces in the region. Vessels are encouraged to contact USN NCAGS if any assistance is requested and make proper incident or suspicious activity reports.

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Contact Information

In an emergency, vessels transiting the Caribbean should contact the US Navy C4F NCAGS (Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping):

C4F Battle Watch Phone: +1 904-270-7216 (Emergency Line Only)

NCAGS Watch email(primary): cusns-c4f_ncags@us.navy.mil

NCAGS Commercial phone: +1 904-270-7358

Contingency mobile: +1 512-590-9344

Please keep LISCR’s Security Department informed of any security incidents at: Office of the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs

Republic of Liberia

22980 Indian Creek Drive, Suite 200 Dulles, Virginia 20166 USA D: +1 571 495 5944 / O: +1 703 790 3434 / F: +1 703 790 5655 Email: Security@liscr.com www.liscr.com

For more information please contact the Security Department at telephone + 1 703 790 3434, email security@liscr.com; LISCR Duty Officer + 1 703 963 6216, email dutyofficer@liscr.com.

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