Welcome to the Inchcape Red Sea Situation daily bulletin relating to the situation in the Red Sea and Suez Canal for Thursday, 5th January. Next week we will provide a situation report for Africa and Mauritius.
Today Ambrey reported they were “made aware of continued Ansar Allah (‘Houthi’) VHF warnings to merchant shipping headed towards the Red Sea. The ‘Yemen Navy’ (assessed to be the Houthis) warned that “All ships approaching the southern Red Sea and owned by Israel, or has Israeli cargo will be considered as hard targets”, followed an hour later by “All ships approaching southern Red sea will be considered as hard targets”. Ambrey assessed the threat to be a general warning to vessels with Israel-affiliations. It was not directed towards a particular vessel.”
This follows yesterday’s reports of the 4th of January. “The US Navy reported that the Ansar Allah (the ‘Houthis’) had launched an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) earlier that morning toward shipping in the Red Sea. The US reported that the low-profile USV originated from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, and reached 50M offshore, within miles of the shipping lanes and US Navy assets, before it exploded. No damage was reported., and the intended target was unclear. At the time of writing, this was being misreported in some news outlets as a “new capability” for the Houthis. The Houthis have used USVs/Remote Controlled Waterborne Improvised Explosive Devices for years. They have attacked military and civilian assets with these before. This deployment is the first reported use since the Houthis joined the latest Israel-Gaza conflict. In the event of spotting a USV headed for a vessel, it is advised that the crew gather in a safe muster point above the waterline and brace for impact. Private Armed Security Teams may attempt to destroy the incoming device.”
In addition to the continued threat form Ansar Allah (‘Houthi’) there is the risk of Piracy. “A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier was reportedly boarded by armed individuals while underway 458M southeast of Eyl, Somalia. It was reported that either five or six people boarded. The crew have reportedly gathered in the citadel. The vessel was underway at 10kts at the time, with an estimated freeboard of 5.9m. Merchant vessels are advised to avoid the area and to be vigilant given a number of recent hijackings off Puntland, Somalia.” It was subsequently reported “that Indian forces boarded the vessel and conducted a search. No unauthorised people were found onboard. All the crew members were safe. The subsequent location of the criminals was not shared. It is advised that vessels in the vicinity are vigilant in case of further attacks.”
Ambrey Daily Incident report 27th December to 3rd January
- YEMEN, 03 JANUARY
A US Navy helicopter was observed in the Red Sea 63M west of Hodeidah, Yemen. The elevation was an estimated 1,000 ft. It was headed northwards, at a speed of approximately 91kts.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 02 JANUARY
A Malta-flagged container ship reported seeing three explosions towards its port quarter 15M southwest of Mocha, Yemen. The Master was heard over VHF calling for a coalition warship.
WAR RISK | SUSPICIOUS APPROACH - YEMEN, 02 JANUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged crude/oil products tanker reported seeing a military aircraft nearby Point A of the International Recommended Transit Corridor. No incident was reported.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 02 JANUARY
The Indian Navy was heard over VHF providing an escort to an India-flagged, Indian-owned chemical/products tanker, in the International Recommended Transit Corridor’s eastbound lane.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - SOMALIA, 02 JANUARY
A fishing vessel was reportedly hijacked offshore Qandala, Puntland, Somalia. This was at least the sixth reported hijacking of a dhow/fishing vessel offshore the semi-autonomous Somali State.
CRIME | EDR - YEMEN, 01 JANUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged container ship reported hearing a warning message issued by Ansar Allah (the Houthis), while underway eastbound in the Maritime Security Transit Corridor, 53M southwest of Aden.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - ERITREA, 01 JANUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged crude/oil products tanker reported sighting a military aircraft 57M west of Hodeidah, Yemen, inside Eritrean waters.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 01 JANUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged container ship reported a VHF exchange with the Indian Navy 72M west of Aden, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | APPROACH - ERITREA, 01 JANUARY
A Turkey-flagged, Turkish-owned crude oil tanker reported sighting an Indian Navy vessel 42M northwest of Assab, Eritrea.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 01 JANUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil/products tanker received a radio transmission from an entity 74M southeast of Mukalla, Yemen. The entity claimed to be the Yemeni Naval Forces.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 31 DECEMBER
A Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned container ship, MAERSK HANGZHOU, reported being fired upon with small arms by four small boats while transiting through the southern Red Sea.
WAR RISK | SUSPICIOUS APPROACH - YEMEN, 30 DECEMBER
A Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned container ship, MAERSK HANGZHOU, was struck by an aerial projectile while transiting through the southern Red Sea. The ship requested assistance from coalition forces.
WAR RISK | PHYSICAL DAMAGE - YEMEN, 30 DECEMBER
Ambrey has received information of an incident approximately 55M southwest of Hodeidah, Yemen. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - SOMALIA, 30 DECEMBER
A dhow was reportedly hijacked offshore Hafun, Somalia. The dhow subsequently headed southwards, towards Galmudug. Ambrey advised there to be a heightened risk of hijacking of dhows offshore Puntland.
CRIME | EDR - YEMEN, 29 DECEMBER
A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier sighted a military aircraft while transiting the International Recommended Transit Corridor eastbound approximately 81.1M south of Mukalla, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - ERITREA, 28 DECEMBER
A United Kingdom-flagged, Swedish-owned, tanker reported the likely interception of an aerial threat while exiting the Bab el-Mandeb northbound approximately 58.6M southwest of Hodeida, Yemen.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - ERITREA, 28 DECEMBER
A Kuwait-flagged, Kuwaiti-owned, tanker observed an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) hovering 300-400 metres above the water approximately 0.26M off the tanker’s starboard side while transiting the south.
WAR RISK | APPROACH - ERITREA, 28 DECEMBER
US Central Command stated that the US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS MASON (DDG 87), intercepted one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and one anti-ship ballistic missile over the southern Red Sea.
WAR RISK | SUSPICIOUS APPROACH - SOUTH AFRICA, 28 DECEMBER
A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier was boarded by stowaways while berthed at Duncan Dock, Cape Town. A private security provider and crew found the two Tanzanian nationals prior to departure.
CRIME | STOWAWAY - DISPUTED, 27 DECEMBER
A Thailand-flagged bulk carrier reported small boat activity while transiting the Bab el-Mandeb northbound approximately 10.6M southwest of Dhubab, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING
Suez Canal Transits
Suez Transits have now continuously dropped to a level of 50 Transits a days. This is a consistent 30% lower level than the first 5 days in December.
Cape of Good Hope Rerouting
Through World of Ports we now see several Container and Tanker vessels arriving in Mauritius. It does appear that Operators are bypassing South Africa and using Port Louis, Mauritius as their bunker call. There is congestion in South African ports due to bad weather and equipment failures. However, there is sufficient bunker capacity, although Inchcape local port agents report halted supply at Algoa Bay due to customs and regulatory disputes. Clarksons reports over 150 vessels have chosen to reroute to date, which will result in price increases, and increased demand for bunkers, crew logistics and husbandry. Typically, a Cape of Good Hope transit may add 9-14 days to a voyage length over a Suez Transit.
How can Inchcape Shipping Services help?
Inchcape Shipping Services is well established in Africa when considering to divert around the Cape of Good Hope. With 14 port offices and a network of carefully selected and vetted partners, our team of experienced agents offer top-notch support and expertise to vessels when they are in port, covering everything from crew welfare and customs formalities to fuel supply and waste management.
We provide:
- 24/7 availability with a local Inchcape representative.
- Direct liaison with the vessel on all aspects of the call when required.
- Critical local expertise and liaison with managing local authorities.
- Assist with crew logistics, including transport to and from the airport, accommodation, and medical assistance.
- Coordination and facilitation of bunker supplies, supervision and sampling.
Our team are ready to support you in Africa and Mauritius. Please contact us for a prompt PDA on these email addresses:
Mauritius: mruops@issshipping.com
South Africa: dbnops@issshipping.com
Kenya: isskenyaenquiries@iss-shipping.com
Tanzania: youriss.dar@issshipping.com
Nigeria: issnigeria@issshipping.com
Ghana: iss.ghana@iss-shipping.com
Mozambique: Yourissmozambique@issshipping.com
Namibia: wvbops@issshipping.com
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