What term describes hijacking and/or destroying a vessel for political or religious purposes?

The term that describes hijacking and/or destroying a vessel for political or religious purposes is terrorism. This concept encompasses acts intended to intimidate or coerce societies or governments, often for ideological objectives. In the context of maritime activities, terrorism can manifest through violent actions against ships and their crews, targeting them specifically to promote a political or religious agenda.

While sabotage refers to deliberate actions intended to cause damage or disable a vessel, it does not inherently involve a political or ideological motive. Piracy, on the other hand, is primarily associated with acts of robbery on the high seas and does not necessarily include a political or religious dimension. Barratry involves wrongful acts committed by the master or crew of a ship to the detriment of the ship's owner, which again does not align with the motives of terrorism.

Thus, terrorism is directly associated with the actions described in the question, highlighting the intent behind the hijacking or destruction of a vessel.