Welcome to the Inchcape Red Sea Situation daily bulletin relating to the situation in the Red Sea and Suez Canal on Thursday, 28th December. Maritime security company Ambrey, US Central Command, nor the UK Maritime Trade Organisation have reported any incidents in the Red Sea or Indian Ocean region in the last 24 hours. While Maersk and CMA CGM are planning to resume operations through the Suez Canal, Hapag-Lloyd has stated that the route is still ‘too dangerous’.
Suez Canal Transits
The sharp decline has been arrested by 66 Suez Transits today, of which 35 were in the South Bound Convoy.
As you can see in this snip from World of Ports, the Suez Canal remains in operation with significant demand, and vessels are awaiting Southbound and Northbound convoys.
ISS Egypt remains available to fulfil all your Ships Agents needs. With 87 staff in 7 offices, covering 23 ports ISS Egypt handles over 2200 calls a year.
Our key services are:
- Dedicated Rebates and Transits Team
- Crew Transit to and from major airports
- Full range of husbandry and bunker port agency services
For more information or immediate assistance, please contact our transit team specialists.
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
Cape of Good Hope Rerouting
Through World of Ports , we now see several container and tanker vessels arriving in Mauritius. It appears 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 local port agents report halted supply at Algoa Bay due to customs and regulatory disputes. Clarksons reports that 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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