Industry associations publish Updated security guidelines for Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

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(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) Since late 2023, the waters of the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have become a perilous arena as Yemen's Houthi forces intensify their campaign against international shipping. What began as targeted strikes against vessels linked to certain nations has rapidly expanded, with Houthis now threatening nearly any vessel transiting the area. Using a range of advanced weaponry—from missiles and drones to water-borne explosive devices—the Houthis have disrupted one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors. This escalation poses a severe risk not only to the safety of commercial shipping but also to the stability of global trade, as navies scramble to protect vessels navigating through this increasingly volatile region.

The persistent nature of these attacks has drawn a surge of international naval forces to the region. The coalition, which includes the European Union Naval Forces’ Operation Aspides and Combined Maritime Forces’ Task Force 153, has launched intensified patrols and offers case-by-case protection to safeguard merchant vessels. Notably, the coalition navies have designated the high-risk area within the Red Sea, extending southeast to the Northwest Indian Ocean, establishing it as a priority for naval defense.

Heightened Threats for Vessels:

The Houthi forces have escalated their aggression, broadening their target criteria to encompass vessels associated with companies whose ships may have previously called at Israeli ports, regardless of the timeframe. This widening scope, based on sometimes outdated or inaccurate intelligence, has led to incidents of collateral damage, with vessels unintentionally caught in the crossfire.

The range of threats reported includes anti-ship cruise and ballistic missiles, water-borne improvised explosive devices (WBIEDs), uncrewed surface and aerial vehicles, and potential hijacking teams operating from both skiffs and helicopters. These threats have made navigation through the region particularly perilous, necessitating an urgent review of shipping routes and defensive measures.

New Guidelines for Safe Passage:

To bolster security, BIMCO’s advisory stresses adherence to the latest BMP (Best Management Practices) standards, urging ship operators to coordinate closely with relevant naval authorities, such as EUNAVFOR and the UKMTO. Comprehensive risk assessments, which factor in updated threat reports and the vessel’s operational history, are recommended to preemptively address any potential risks.

Key precautions include the following:

  • Rerouting Strategies: Vessels may be advised to adjust course and speed unpredictably, reducing the risk of targeted attacks. This strategy is particularly relevant when AIS (Automatic Identification Systems) are deactivated—a measure taken to make vessels less detectable, though with limitations in effectiveness.
  • Security Muster Points: Crews are advised to secure designated areas on board, situated above the waterline, which offer maximal protection against potential breaches or explosive impacts.
  • Armed Guards and PPE: Ship operators are urged to consider deploying armed guards, with caution exercised over engagement protocols to prevent escalation. Providing crews with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) at security points is also recommended.

Increased Vigilance and Reporting:

Heightened vigilance, particularly during nighttime, is emphasized due to the challenges of detecting small threats like WBIEDs. The advisory underscores the need for regular reporting, with ships encouraged to maintain contact with coalition forces every 2-3 hours if AIS is disabled. Suspicious communications, particularly from entities claiming to be the “Yemeni Navy,” should be disregarded, and any incidents reported to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and U.S. Naval Forces in Bahrain.

As tensions persist in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the importance of coordinated defense and advanced threat mitigation remains paramount. This region, a critical gateway for international trade, now serves as a focal point for coalition forces striving to uphold maritime security amidst an increasingly complex conflict environment.

Threats to ships include:
  • Houthi forces masquerading as Yemeni Coastguard or Navy officials and attempting to coerce merchant ships to sail to Yemeni ports.
  • Anti-ship cruise missiles. These missiles have sophisticated terminal guidance typically by means of radar and/or electro-optics.
  • Anti-ship ballistic missiles. These missiles are typically aimed at a geographical coordinate or have only basic, unreliable terminal guidance.
  • Water-borne improvised explosive devices (WBIED) also known as Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV). Typically, skiffs occasionally mounted with dummies, fitted with an impact fuse and laden with explosives.
  • Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, or drones) are occasionally used.
  • Crewed skiffs using RPGs and small arms.
  • Uncrewed undersea vehicles have been reported, but no vessel has been attacked using these.
  • Mines are near entrances to Houthi-controlled ports, and on rare occasions, mines have become detached from their tether and have drifted into the traffic lanes.
  • Houthi hijack/kidnap teams in skiffs.
  • Houthi hijack/kidnap teams in helicopters. Although the possibility of an airborne attack from helicopters during darkness exists, it is more significant during daylight hours.

For more details, you can view the complete BIMCO advisory for the SOUTHERN RED SEA AND GULF OF ADEN, below:

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Source: BIMCO, ICS, CLIA, IMCA, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO and OCIMF.

 

 

 

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