Maritime Overview

Taiwan Strait

Taiwan / China

64

Risk Score

Disrupted
Daily Traffic

~240 vessels/day

Global Trade Share

~50% of container traffic

Key Commodities

Containers, Semiconductors, Electronics

Strategic Overview

The Taiwan Strait separates Taiwan from mainland China. It is critical for semiconductor supply chains and East Asian trade.

Threat Drivers

Armed Boarding (2): 19.06.2026: 0015 UTC: Posn: Manila Anchorage, Philippines. Bosun onboard an anchored container ship noticed four robbers armed with a knife at the forecastle deck and immediately raised the alarm resulting in the robbers escaping with stolen ship’s properties.
Suspicious Activity: Taiwan Upgrades Maritime Patrol Capacity for Vulnerable South China Sea Outpost. Taiwan has upgraded its maritime patrol capacity around the Pratas Islands in the disputed South China Sea, including regularly sending larger ships there, the government said, responding to an increase in Chinese activities.

Recent Incidents (3)

Medium·Armed Boardingjust now

19.06.2026: 0015 UTC: Posn: Manila Anchorage, Philippines. Bosun onboard an anchored container ship noticed four robbers armed with a knife at the forecastle deck and immediately raised the alarm resulting in the robbers escaping with stolen ship’s properties.

South China SeaIMB
Low·Suspicious Activity5d ago

Taiwan Upgrades Maritime Patrol Capacity for Vulnerable South China Sea Outpost. Taiwan has upgraded its maritime patrol capacity around the Pratas Islands in the disputed South China Sea, including regularly sending larger ships there, the government said, responding to an increase in Chinese activities.

South China SeaRSS_GCAPTAIN
Medium·Armed BoardingSep 14

14.09.2026: 1932 UTC: Posn: 13:43.2N – 121:2.1E, Batangas Anchorage, Philippines. Duty crew on bord an anchored LNG Tanker observed footprints leading from the forward hawse pipe. Crew mustered and a search was carried out. It was discovered that ship’s property had been stolen. A subsequent review of the vessel’s CCTV footage confirmed that two robbers armed with knives had boarded the vessel. The incident was reported to Manila VTS and the Coast Guard.

South China SeaIMB