Welcome to the Inchcape Red Sea Situation daily bulletin relating to the situation in the Red Sea and Suez Canal for Tuesday, 2nd January. Over the weekend, there were several incidents of note.
US Central Command reported on X (formerly Twitter), “Today (30th December) at approximately 8:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU reported that they were struck by a missile while transiting the Southern Red Sea. The vessel is reportedly seaworthy, and there are no reported injuries. While responding, the USS GRAVELY shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the ships.”
On the 31st of December, they subsequently reported, “On Dec. 31 at 6:30 am (Sanaa time), the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats. The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired crew-served and small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel and attempting to board the vessel. A contract-embedded security team on the MAERSK HANZGHOU returned fire. U.S. helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call, and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters with crew served weapons and small arms. The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defence, sinking three of the four small boats and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment.”
Subsequently, Maersk has suspended Red Sea transits until further notice.
Suez Canal Transits
Suez Transits have continued at a much lower volume than usual, there will be 53 Suez Transits today, of which 24 were in the South Bound Convoy. This continues the 30% decline.
Today, Inchcape Shipping Services announced investment in Leth Suez Transit Ltd. You can continue to contact issegypt@iss-shipping.com for immediate assistance or speak to one of our transit team specialists.
Ambrey Daily Incident report 24th December to 2nd January
- YEMEN, 31 DECEMBER
A Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned container ship, MAERSK HANGZHOU, issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats firing crew served and small arms weapons, and attempted to board the vessel. A contract embarked security team on the MAERSK HANZGHOU returned fire. U.S. helicopters returned fire, sinking three of the four small boats.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - 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. Vessel reported as sea-worthy.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 30 DECEMBER
A US Navy destroyer reported shooting down two anti-ship ballistic missile in Southern Red Sea.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 28 DECEMBER
A US Navy destroyer reported shooting down one drone and one anti-ship ballistic missile in Southern Red Sea. No damage or injuries reported to any of the 18 ships in the area.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - 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 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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