Law enforcement actions and geopolitical manoeuvres shaped Asian maritime security in the fourth quarter, with incidents of drug smuggling, piracy and military drills raising concerns over regional stability, reports UK's Seatrade Maritime News.

Hong Kong Customs discovered 417 kg of cocaine hidden in a ship's sea chest in November, marking the first such concealment detected in Asia. The vessel had sailed from Brazil via Singapore before arriving in Hong Kong, with onward calls planned to Shanghai and Ningbo. Authorities said the method, long used in South America, is likely to have been employed undetected in Asia before.

The Singapore Strait saw ship boardings return to historical averages of five per month in November and six in December, after a lull following arrests of Batam-based gangs in mid-2025. Analysts said the resurgence may reflect reduced patrols or renewed confidence among perpetrators, with most incidents clustered at a congested bend in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme.

China's People's Liberation Army staged large-scale drills in late December simulating a blockade of Taiwan, deploying missiles, jets and naval units. Taipei condemned the manoeuvres as provocative, though they did not disrupt cargo ship navigation.

Confrontations also flared between Chinese and Philippine vessels near contested shoals, with aggressive tactics including blocking and ramming. Manila denounced the actions as violations of international law, while Beijing reinforced its presence. Despite tensions, analysts said freedom of navigation for commercial shipping remained unaffected.

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