Regional conflicts in the Middle East raises the security risk to merchant shipping, in particular vessels transiting the Red Sea and GoA.
Following the renewed intensification of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the Iran-backed Yemeni Houthis continue to target vessels transiting the southern Red Sea, Bab-al-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden.
The following comprises the latest information and intelligence which will allow members in carrying out their voyage risk assessments.
A threat alert dated 2 February 2024 which provides:
- Threats in the region have grown significantly, they are complex, and they are now over a wider area of operations.
- The situation poses a significant risk to life and the safety of vessels in the area.
- The Houthis have widened their targets and area of operations. An unprecedented international naval response has degraded their capabilities, but the Houthis have continued to attack shipping. As affiliated vessels reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, risk levels on other routes increase as weapon capability also improves.
- The international military presence, though significant, cannot ensure safe passage of the region. All available mitigation measures should be evaluated and considered.
- Iran has become more assertive in its response to U.S. sanctions, widened its area of operations, and acted in support of the Houthis. Reach into the wider region must be considered.
- Over the past decade, the suppression of piracy has led to the reduction of designated threat areas in the region. Somali pirates have now acted in international waters beyond the Indian Ocean Listed Area, where security provision has been limited, up until now.
- Security Risk Management companies must adapt their service levels to provide a comprehensive suite of services to support international shipping.
This is further to threat alert issued by Ambrey on 15 January 2024 where they have assessed the threats to shipping and established risk levels based on affiliations.
The guidance emphasises the importance of conducting a thorough ship and voyage-specific threat and risk assessment considering any additional advice from the ship’s flag state before passing through the area in question
An update:
- multiple attacks by Houthis using anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM), anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), unmanned surface vehicles (USV) and small arms from skiffs have been recorded.
- additionally, several pirate action groups (PAG) have been seen operating at great distance from Somalia.
- Naval operations have also conducted defensive strikes against Houthi missile sites ashore and multiple missiles and drones have been intercepted by US, UK and French naval ships.
- French naval vessels have provided close escorting of certain ships which coincide with their national interests. However, no convoys are operating and there is no intent to start such operations.
- It is quite clear that the threat to shipping continues and, whilst the Houthi state that they will only target those with Israeli, U.S. or UK interests, in practice, the targeting is much wider. Industry will release new guidance shortly.
- For piracy, PAGs have been seen to be operating at very great distances up to 650NM from Somalia and have attacked both merchant ships as well as hijacking dhows.
- NAVCENT are not recommending a pause in movements.
- They regard the threat to Israeli, U.S. and UK interests to be very high.
- If ships do pass through the area, then they should do so with great care.
- If ships do pause outside the area, then NAVCENT recommend that ships should hold north of 18N and east of 048E.
The guidance emphasises the importance of conducting a thorough ship and voyage-specific threat and risk assessment considering any additional advice from the ship’s flag state before passing through the area in question
The guidance note advises:
- Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN has now commenced in the SRS, which is described as a “presence and deterrence mission in support of the Freedom of Navigation, that will be conducted by an international Naval force under CMF, commanded by Combined Task Force 153.”
- Vessels transiting the Southern Red Sea should note a significant increase in the number of coalition warships and aircraft operating in the area as part of this operation.
- A review of BMP5 and the extant MSTC guidance for southern Red Sea will be conducted with industry.
Joint War Committee
The Joint War Committee issued JWLA-32 which amends the Listed Area of Indian Ocean, GoA and Red Sea as follows:
The waters enclosed by the following boundaries:
- a) on the northwest, by the Red Sea, south of Latitude 18°N
- b) on the northeast, from the Yemen border at 16°38.5’N, 53°6.5’E to high seas point 14°55’N, 53°50’E
- c) on the east, by a line from high seas point 14°55’N, 53°50’E to high seas point 10°48’N, 60°15’E, thence to high seas point 6°45’S, 48°45’E
- d) and on the southwest, by the Somalia border at 1°40’S, 41°34’E, to high seas point 6°45’S, 48°45’E
Excepting coastal waters of adjoining territories up to 12 nautical miles offshore unless otherwise provided.