Welcome to the Inchcape Red Sea Situation daily bulletin relating to the situation in the Red Sea and Suez Canal for Monday, 15th January.
On Friday, 26th January, Inchcape Shipping Services, in partnership with Ambrey Risk Management, will deliver a webinar highlighting all current threats and risks around the world. A link to the Webinar will be published on Wednesday 17th.
Situation Update
As we are writing this summary, a live event is being reported by Ambrey Risk Management: Ambrey is aware of an incident approximately 103M southeast of Aden, Yemen. The Gibraltar Eagle, a Marshall Islands-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier, was reportedly struck by a missile while transiting the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). The vessel was initially transiting in the westbound lane of the IRTC enroute to the Suez Canal. The impact reportedly caused a fire in a hold. The bulker reportedly remained seaworthy, and no injuries were reported. The vessel increased speed from 10kn to over 13kn after turning from westbound to eastbound and continued at the elevated speed. The vessel was assessed to not be Israel-affiliated. Ambrey assessed the attack to have targeted US interests in response to US military strikes on Houthi military positions in Yemen.
UPDATE: Ambrey has corroborated that the bulker was impacted in hold number 5. A total of three missiles were reportedly launched by the Houthis, with two not reaching the sea and one impacting the US-owned bulk carrier. The vessel arrived in the Gulf of Aden after the industry and military advice to avoid the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait for 72 hours after US and UK military strikes on Houthi military positions in Yemen on the night of 11th to the 12th of January. This incident constituted the second attack on a merchant vessel east of 46E, the industry’s identified eastern boundary of an elevated threat area, but within Ambrey’s Dynamic Elevated Threat Area.
Suez Canal Transits
After Friday’s low of 29 vessels, we saw 51 Suez Transits today, of which just 27 were in the Southbound Convoy.
We still see a large number of vessels looking to transit both North and South through the Suez Canal. Below is a snapshot from World of Ports at 3.30 GMT today.
Cape of Good Hope
At Durban, South Africa, there are already 39 vessels at berth and through World of Ports, we can see at least 49 vessels (38 on 12/01/24) expected to arrive in the next 14 days. The average Turnaround for Containers is 73 hours, 28 hours for Tankers and 22 hours for Bulk Carriers.
Port Louis, Mauritius is much less congested with only 4 vessels in the port, but 37 vessels are enroute and expected ETA in the next 14 days.
Cyclone Warning for Mauritius – All vessels have been instructed by the Port Authority to vacate the berth and anchorage areas to seek shelter on the high seas under the command of their respective Security Officers advice. The Port is experiencing swell and waves of 3-4 M in height.
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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