AMBREY INSIGHT > Mediterranean region has entered the High Irregular Migration Season
Date issued: 19 May 2026
This document has been approved for distribution by Ambrey Analytics Ltd.
“Ambrey’s monitoring of Mediterranean SAR activity is structured around the operational position of the merchant vessel. Over more than four years of continuous data collection, the pattern has remained consistent, a clear seasonal acceleration through the spring and summer. The 2026 figures reflect this pattern. ”
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- The wider Mediterranean region has entered the High Irregular Migration Season (HIMS)
- Merchant vessel participated in 30 % of Search and Rescue events detected by Ambrey
- Greece, Libya and the central Mediterranean remain the principal exposure zones for commercial shipping
- Recorded events nearly doubled from February to March
- IOM reported nearly 1,000 Mediterranean migrant deaths already in 2026
- Greek authorities estimate 550,000 people in Libya are intending to cross, and SAR demand on merchant vessels is set to keep climbing through the summer
- Ambrey’s RAMP checklist helps masters prepare. Speak to us about SAR readiness and intelligence-led planning for your fleet
Irregular migration in the Mediterranean has entered its heightened seasonal period, and Ambrey’s monitoring of more than four years of SAR activity shows the 2026 figures tracking the same seasonal curve — only steeper.
Between February and 8 May 2026, Ambrey recorded 266 search-and-rescue-related events across the Mediterranean and Atlantic migration routes, involving the rescue of more than 11,500 people. Merchant vessels were directly involved in 30.5% of these events (81 in total) confirming that roughly one in three rescue events results in a merchant vessel being drawn into the operation…