New Warning on Caribbean Shipping Risks

The escalating crisis in Haiti is a primary driver of regional instability, with widespread gang violence severely disrupting shipping operations in Port-au-Prince. Gangs now control an estimated 90% of the capital, leading to attacks on port infrastructure, looting of containers, and the suspension of operations at key terminals. Major shipping lines like CMA CGM have been forced to reroute vessels to other ports, while some cruise lines have canceled stops altogether. This disruption directly impacts supply chains, as the closure of Haiti's main cargo port creates immediate risks of shortages for basic goods, food, and medical supplies. The violence has not been confined to land; there are reports of commercial vessels being hit by gunfire and a cargo vessel being captured by gangs near the Varreux fuel terminal. This has led to a broader climate of risk, including the first reported kidnapping of crew members from a bulk carrier in the region in the past decade. In response to the growing instability, international bodies are taking action. A UN Security Council resolution, approved in late 2025, authorized a Multinational Security Support mission to help restore order. The United States is also actively involved through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), a partnership with 13 Caribbean nations aimed at combating illicit trafficking and transnational crime. As part of this initiative, the U.S. has committed over $832 million to enhance maritime law enforcement, border security, and to counter firearms trafficking. The security situation has also drawn attention to illicit trafficking routes. Transnational criminal organizations are increasingly using the Caribbean for moving narcotics and other contraband, exploiting the region's many small island nations which may lack the resources to effectively police their waters. This has prompted collaborative efforts like the SEACOP, a project focused on tackling maritime trafficking through inter-agency training and cooperation. While piracy incidents in the Americas remain relatively low compared to other global hotspots, the nature of the violence has shifted. The total number of reported crimes against yachts and crews in the Caribbean saw an increase, with a notable rise in violent incidents such as assaults and robberies. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, along with Martinique and St. Lucia, have been highlighted as areas with a concentration of these incidents.