Welcome to the Inchcape Red Sea Situation daily bulletin relating to the situation in the Red Sea and Suez Canal for Friday 16th of February.
We are very pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Ambrey to transform safety and security in the maritime sector by providing Citadel Inspections, Ship Security Assessments, Anti-Piracy Ship Security Assessments, Ship Security Plan Reviews, and Port Security Assessments. For more information, please see the announcement – Ambrey and Inchcape Shipping Services Join Forces to Revolutionize Safety and Security in the Maritime Sector.
Situation Update
On Wednesday, 14th February, US Centcom reported on X (formerly Twitter), “7:30p.m.(Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully conducted four self-defense strikes against seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), three mobile unmanned aerial vehicles(UAV), and one explosive unmanned surface vessel(USV) in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen, that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.”
On the previous day they reported : “On Feb. 13, at approximately 2:35 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully conducted a self-defense strike against one mobile anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM), in Iranian-backed Houthi controlled areas of Yemen, that was prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea. Separately, at approximately 9:20 p.m.(Sanaa time), one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) was launched from Iranian-backed Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. U.S. Navy ships tracked the missile but took no action because the missile was not projected to impact near any ships. There were no reports of injuries or damage from ships in the area.”
On 12th February they reported an incident involving the MV Star Iris “On Feb. 12 from 3:30 to 3:45 a.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired two missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Bab al-Mandeb. Both missiles were launched toward MV Star Iris, a Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel transiting the Red Sea carrying corn from Brazil. The ship reports being seaworthy with minor damage and no injuries to the crew. Of note, the MV Star Iris’s destination is Bandar Iman Khomeini, Iran.”
Important to note that Ambrey has updated its Houthi Targeting Profile – “The Houthis continue to target Israeli, American, and British-linked shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. So far in February, four vessels have been targeted by the Houthis, all with these affiliations. As well as the under-appreciation of historical links of vessels, there is a misperception in parts of the industry that having certain affiliations will altogether negate an attack. The broadening of Houthi targeting of Israeli affiliations evidences that the target profiles are not fixed, and assessments should be revisited with every warning and event. Ambrey is performing an Ambrey Vessel Affiliation Check (AVAC) for every physical and digital transit and is delivering its Guardian services alongside every physical security transit. Ambrey is also receiving a record number of requests for support in settling charter-party disputes, many of which are ex post facto, indicating a need to engage such services earlier.”
Ambrey iStream – 14th February
- YEMEN, 13 FEBRUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged container ship sighted a military vessel while transiting the International Recommended Transit Corridor westbound approximately 94M southeast of Mukalla, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 13 FEBRUARY
A Malta-flagged, UK-owned, cable layer appeared to cease AIS transmissions while transiting the southern Red Sea approximately 80M northwest of Hodeida Yemen.
UNUSUAL ACTIVITY | UNEXPLAINED - OMAN, 13 FEBRUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier conducted unusual manoeuvres while transiting the westbound TTS lane in the Strait of Hormuz approximately 35M south of Bandar Abbas, Iran.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 13 FEBRUARY
A Panama-flagged container ship reported small boat activity while transiting the International Recommended Transit Corridor westbound approximately 75M south of Mukalla, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 12 FEBRUARY
A Panama-flagged container ship reported small boat activity while transiting the International Recommended Transit Corridor westbound approximately 92M south of Nishtun, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 12 FEBRUARY
A Liberia-flagged container ship sighted small boat activity while transiting the International Recommended Transit Corridor westbound approximately 81M south of Mukalla, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - SAUDI ARABIA, 12 FEBRUARY
A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier sighted two military vessels while transiting the Red Sea southbound approximately 127M northwest of Jizan, Saudi Arabia.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - DJIBOUTI, 12 FEBRUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged, Greece-owned bulk carrier sighted a projectile near the vessel 23M northeast of Khor Angar, Djibouti and 40M southwest of Mokha, Yemen.
WAR RISK | PHYSICAL DAMAGE - INTERNATIONAL, 10 FEBRUARY
A Djibouti-flagged standby safety vessel sighted two dhows hailing merchant shipping approximately 259M east of Socotra Island, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - DJIBOUTI, 09 FEBRUARY
Ambrey observed the Iran-flagged container ship, AZARGOUN, drifting 41M southeast of Djibouti. The vessel has been in the area for 34 hours and was sanctioned by the US.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - ERITREA, 08 FEBRUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek-owned, bulk carrier sighted 14 small boats while transiting southbound approximately 104M east of Massawa, Eritrea.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - SAUDI ARABIA, 07 FEBRUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged container ship sighted a military aircraft carrier while transiting the Red Sea southbound approximately 131M northwest of JIzan, Saudi Arabia.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING
Suez Canal Transits
Today there will be 41 Suez Canal Transits. This week we have an average of 38 Transits compared to 75 during a similar period in December and 45 in January.
Algeciras and Gibraltar
Algeciras and Gibraltar remain busy. However, flows are working well with no disruption. Today, Algeciras has 46 vessels at berth and 74 in port. 37 vessels departed in the last 24 hours, 40 have arrived and a further 14 are expected in the next 24 hours. Vessel turnaround for Container vessels at 23:30 hours (15:18 hours last week) and improving for Tankers at 41:18 hours (56:18 hours last week). For enquiries, please contact email issalgecirasops@iss-shipping.com, tel +34 956 022 570.
There is a better picture at Gibraltar, although busy, with vessels at 17 of the 17 available berths and 34 vessels in port. 13 vessels are arriving in the next 24 hours, and 29 departed in the last 24 hours. To contact email issgibraltar@iss-shipping.com, tel +350 20072685.
Durban
Activity at Durban is steady with 36 vessels at the 67 available berths. 8 Vessels arrived in the previous 24 hours. For enquiries please contact email dbnops@issshipping.com.
How can Inchcape Shipping Services help?
As mentioned in previous posts Inchcape Shipping Services announced investment in Leth Agencies. For more information please read the press release. You can continue to contact issegypt@iss-shipping.com for immediate assistance or visit our network for more information.
In addition to Algeciras and Gibraltar, 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@iss-shipping.com
South Africa: dbnops@iss-shipping.com
Kenya: isskenyaenquiries@iss-shipping.com
Tanzania: youriss.dar@iss-shipping.com
Nigeria: issnigeria@iss-shipping.com
Ghana: iss.ghana@iss-shipping.com
Mozambique: Yourissmozambique@iss-shipping.com
Namibia: wvbops@iss-shipping.com
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