Welcome to the Inchcape Red Sea Situation daily bulletin relating to the situation in the Red Sea and Suez Canal on Wednesday, 27th December. In addition to the reports that Maersk is preparing to recommence Suez/Red Sea transits, they have not committed to a timeline. CMA CGM are also working on plans to increase Suez Transits gradually. Meanwhile, MSC confirmed that one of their vessels, the MSC United III, was the vessel referred to in yesterday’s bulletin.
Situation update
- In a press release from the MSC website, “MSC confirms that on 26 December 2023, the container ship MSC UNITED VIII was attacked while transiting the Red Sea. The vessel informed a nearby coalition task force warship of the attack and, as instructed, engaged in evasive manoeuvres. The incident occurred on 26 December 2023 at approximately 12:25 UTC while the MSC vessel was enroute from King Abdullah Port, Saudi Arabia to Karachi, Pakistan. Currently, all crew are safe with no reported injuries and a thorough assessment of the vessel is being conducted. Our first priority remains protecting the lives and safety of our seafarers, and until their safety can be ensured, MSC will continue to reroute vessels booked for Suez transit via the Cape of Good Hope.”
- US Central Command – Centcom reported on X (formerly Twitter), “U.S.assets, to include the USS LABOON (DDG 58) and F/A-18 Super Hornets from the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, shot down twelve one-way attack drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles, and two land attack cruise missiles in the Southern Red Sea that were fired by the Houthis over a 10 hour period which began at approximately 6:30 a.m. (Sanaa time) on December 26. There was no damage to ships in the area or reported injuries.”
- The Indian Navy has sent three vessels to the Indian Ocean after the attack on the Chem Pluto. “Considering the recent spate of attacks in the Arabian Sea, Indian Navy has deployed Guided Missile Destroyers, INS Mormugao, INS Kochi and INS Kolkata in various areas to maintain a deterrent presence,” the navy statement said.
- OSINTdefender reports that Span, Italy and France will not join Operation Prosperity Guardian. They are stating they will only conduct further Maritime Operations under the Command of NATO and/or the European Union. However, Prosperity Guardian is making its presence known to reassure ship owners and operators in the Region.
Ambrey Daily Incident Report 24th-26th December:
- YEMEN, 26 DECEMBER
A Liberia-flagged, Swiss-owned container ship was reportedly attacked by an aerial threat while transiting the southern Red Sea southbound approximately 72M northwest of Hodeida, Yemen.
WAR RISK | SUSPICIOUS APPROACH - EGYPT, 26 DECEMBER
Egyptian air defences reportedly intercepted an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) over the Gulf of Aqaba near the beach of Dahab, Egypt.
WAR RISK | SUSPICIOUS APPROACH - YEMEN, 26 DECEMBER
A Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker observed what appeared to be the interception of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) 50M northeast of Hodeidah, Yemen.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 26 DECEMBER
A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier sighted a military vessel 45M southeast of Aden, Yemen. The vessel was reportedly a coalition warship and was at a distance of 10M from the bulker.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 26 DECEMBER
A Hong Kong (China)-flagged tanker sighted a military vessel 52M southeast of Aden, Yemen. The closest point of approach between the vessel and the tanker was 6M.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 26 DECEMBER
A Thailand-flagged bulk carrier sighted small boats 77M southeast of Mukalla, Yemen. One boat and three skiffs were observed within 3M port side of the bulker.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - ERITREA, 26 DECEMBER
The US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS LABOON (DDG 58), reportedly intercepted multiple aerial projectiles over the southern Red Sea.
WAR RISK | SUSPICIOUS APPROACH - YEMEN, 26 DECEMBER
Ambrey has received information of an incident approximately 50M of Hodeidah, Yemen. Vessels were advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 25 DECEMBER
Ambrey received information that it believes indicated Ansar Allah (‘Houthis’) attempted to communicate with a merchant vessel 57m northwest of Hodeidah, Yemen.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 25 DECEMBER
A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier observed a dhow with two skiffs southeast of Mukalla, Yemen. The dhow was towing the two skiffs.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - OMAN, 25 DECEMBER
A Liberia-flagged, Greek-owned crude oil tanker sighted a dhow and two skiffs 31M southeast of Al Duqm, Oman. The skiffs had white hulls and were reportedly ‘deployed’ from the dhow.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 24 DECEMBER
A Panama-flagged bulk carrier observed what appeared to be a warship 14M southwest of Mocha, Yemen. The warship was reportedly headed to the southern Red Sea.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING
Suez Canal Transits
The sharp decline has been arrested by 55 Suez Transits today. It is likely that between 50 and 60 vessels will be the norm for the foreseeable future.
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
Subscribe to receive daily reports on the ongoing situation.