A number of shipping groups* have updated their industry guidance for vessels transiting the Southern Red Sea.
Houthi forces were said to be continuing to demand that vessels steer for the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah, where hijacking and hostage-taking might follow. “Vessels should use extreme caution when considering these demands and resist the request to divert course”, the update stated.
All ships transiting this area were strongly advised to remain vigilant.
Military sources had advised that Houthi forces might also masquerade as Yemeni Coastguard officials.
As well as anti-ship missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles, water-borne IEDs and drones, the update warned of mines near entrances to Houthi-controlled ports, and, on rare occasions, mines that have become detached from their tether and as a result have drifted into the traffic lanes. “Most recently, unmanned undersea vehicles have been reported, but no vessel has been attacked using these”, the advisory said.
It was noted that Houthi forces had also demonstrated their ability to target and attack ships in the Gulf of Aden, up to 100 nm from the coast. While the threat level to ships with Israeli, UK and US interests remained high, all owners, operators, and crews should be cognisant that their vessel could be misidentified.
It was accepted that visually detecting and classifying small contacts at night, such as a water-borne improvised explosive devices (WBIEDs), remained a challenge.
Maintaining lookouts during the entire passage, regardless of the time of day or night, was essential, the advisory said. Although the possibility of an airborne attack from helicopters during darkness existed, it was more likely to happen during daylight hours.
Any operator planning to transit the Red Sea with a vessel should ensure that vessel systems such as AIS properly reflect updated information. Ships planning a passage through the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden should conduct a thorough ship and voyage-specific threat and risk assessment, considering any additional advice from their flag State. These assessments should include relevant information such as operation specifics, shipping associations guidance, ownership details, and trading history of the ship during the previous three years.
Ships with AIS powered on, as well as off, have been attacked.
*BIMCO, ICS, CLIA, Intercargo, Intertanko, IMCA and OCIMF
