Interim Industry Transit Advice Red Sea 2023 - 12

INTERIM INDUSTRY TRANSIT ADVICE, SOUTHERN RED SEA, AND GULF OF ADEN –
NOVEMBER 2023
SITUATION
Houthi rebels in Yemen have publicly threatened to attack shipping which in their view has
some affiliation with Israel, and threats intensified following Israel’s incursion in Gaza.
On 19 November 2023 Houthi forces hijacked a car carrier by inserting a team of armed men
by helicopter. The ship was subsequently taken to Hodeida in Yemen situated on the Houthi
controlled part of the Yemeni coastline.
It is understood the car carrier was registered in the Bahamas, operated by a company in
Japan, and did not have any Israeli crew on board. Media reports have suggested the ship had
a connection to an Israeli national.
THREAT CONSIDERATIONS
In the past Houthi forces have attacked merchant shipping using antiship missiles, water-
borne improvised explosive devices (WBIED), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
Furthermore, they have laid mines to protect port entries for ports under their control, and
on rare occasion, such mines have become detached from their tether and have drifted into
the traffic lanes.
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.
The maritime threat from the Houthi forces is greater in vicinity of the Yemeni Red Sea
coastline where they are occasionally present. The Houthi threat is assessed to be directed
mainly against ships identified by the Houthis as having links to Israel or Israeli nationals or
ships directly associated with the Saudi-led coalition involved in the Houthi conflict with the
Yemeni government. The threat from airborne activities is probably greater during daylight
hours where targets are more easily identified and attacked/boarded, but the challenge of
visually detecting and classifying small contacts at night such as a water-borne improvised
explosive devices (WBIED) remain.
1
ROUTING CONSIDERATIONS
Ship owners, operators, managers, and staff should regularly evaluate the risks to their ships, including
navigation and collision avoidance, and plan routes accordingly.
The Master retains ultimate responsibility for ensuring vessel safety and security.
It is noted that the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is narrow and when passing north bound, ships within
the Traffic Separation Scheme will be no more than approximately 7 nautical miles from the
Yemen coastline.
The industry recommendation to use the Maritime Security Transit Corridor (MSTC) remains
unchanged in light of the recent attack. The MSTC is the amalgamation of the Internationally
Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC), the Bab el-Mandeb Traffic Separation Scheme and the
Traffic Separation Scheme West of Hanish Islands, and a two-way route directly connecting
the IRTC and the Bab el-Mandeb Traffic separation Scheme.
VESSEL HARDENING CONSIDERATIONS
Hardening measures are described in BMP5 and advice on the website
www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org can be applied in areas of the ship where insertion of armed
men by helicopter may be likely. Use of citadel requires thorough preparation and
understanding of advantages and pitfalls – the guidelines in BMP5 applies.
CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING ARMED GUARDS
Complete a thorough risk assessment when considering the use of armed guards. Caution
should be taken when managing their employment and especially rules of engagement.
Section 5 of the BMP5 provides detailed guidance on their employment.
REPORTING
In the event of any incident, suspicious activity, or concern:
• Report any suspicious activity or concerns to the UKMTO at watchkeepers@ukmto.org

+44 2392 222060
• Reports of any suspicious activity and concerns may also be made to the European led
EMASoH: Voluntary Reporting Scheme | EMASoH (emasoh-agenor.org)
• If under attack, please contact US Naval Forces in Bahrain directly on +973 1785 3879
This advice will be updated on a regular basis.

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INTERIM INDUSTRY TRANSIT ADVICE, SOUTHERN RED SEA, AND GULF OF ADEN –

• Report any suspicious activity or concerns to the UKMTO at watchkeepers@ukmto.org

This advice will be updated on a regular basis.

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