IPM provides armed guard teams for vessel transits through all designated High Risk Areas in the Indian Ocean Region — including the connecting straits that represent the highest-threat chokepoints on global shipping routes.
The five areas below form the primary high risk corridor connecting the Mediterranean and Asian trade routes. IPM has operated across all of them since 2012.
Each area presents distinct operational characteristics. IPM's guard teams are briefed on the specific threat environment for their route before embarkation.
The presence of armed, professional security personnel aboard a vessel remains the most effective deterrence against piracy and armed attack. Insurance requirements reflect this — most P&I clubs and hull insurers require or strongly recommend armed escorts for transits through designated HRAs.
Deterrence over response: the value of a trained, visible armed guard team is overwhelmingly preventative. Pirates and armed actors conduct threat assessments before approaching a vessel. A credibly defended vessel is a lower-value target. IPM's zero incident record is evidence of this dynamic at work.
The threat environment in the IOR is not static. IPM monitors current HRA designations, threat intelligence from industry bodies, and flag state guidance — and briefs guard teams accordingly before each deployment.