Introduction
Welcome to the Inchcape Red Sea Situation daily bulletin relating to the situation in the Red Sea and Suez Canal for Friday, the 9th of February. The recording of the Global Shipping report 2024, in partnership with Ambrey, is now available here.
Situation Update
On Thursday 8th February US Centcom reported on X (formerly Twitter), “On Feb. 8, between the hours of 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted seven self-defense strikes against four Houthi unmanned surface vessels (USV) and seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea. CENTCOM identified these missiles and USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region..”
On Wednesday 7th they posted “On Feb. 7, at approximately 9:00 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted self-defense strikes against two Houthi mobile anti-ship cruise missiles prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea. Later that day, at 11:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), CENTCOM forces conducted a second strike against a Houthi mobile land attack cruise missile prepared to launch..”
These responses followed Houthi Attacks on the MV Star Nasia and MV Morning Tide “ On Feb. 6, from approximately 1:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Arabian Standard Time) Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Three of the ASBMs were attempting to hit MV Star Nasia, a Marshall Island-flagged, Greek owned-and-operated bulk carrier transiting the Gulf of Aden. At approximately 3:20 a.m., MV Star Nasia reported an explosion near the ship causing minor damage but no injuries. At 2 p.m. another missile impacted the water near the ship with no effect. At 4:30 p.m., USS Laboon (DDG 58), operating near MV Star Nasia, intercepted and shot down a third anti-ship ballistic missile fired by the Iranian-backed Houthis. MV Star Nasia remains seaworthy and is continuing toward its destination. The remaining three ASBMs were likely targeting MV Morning Tide, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned cargo ship operating in the Southern Red Sea. The three missiles impacted the water near the ship without effect. MV Morning Tide is continuing its journey and is reporting no injuries or damage.”
Suez Canal Transits
Today there were 41 Suez Canal Transits. The last few days have lifted the YTD average from 36 to 42, however we note that the trend is down. Further analysis seems to indicate that the daily variance is caused by Tanker transits with Container and Dry Cargo remaining relatively flat.
Ambrey -iStream Events
- 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 - SOMALIA, 07 FEBRUARY
Ambrey received reports that Puntland security forces arrested three individuals suspected of piracy on the coastline of the Ra’as Aseir region, Puntland, Somalia.
CRIME | INTERDICTION - INTERNATIONAL, 06 FEBRUARY
A Belize-flagged bulk carrier received a VHF distress call from a fishing dhow approximately 290M east of Socotra Island, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 06 FEBRUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek-owned, bulk carrier was targeted while transiting the Maritime Security Transit Corridor southbound approximately 53M southwest of Aden, Yemen.
WAR RISK | SUSPICIOUS APPROACH - YEMEN, 06 FEBRUARY
A Vietnam-flagged container ship was approached by a small boat while transiting the Maritime Security Transit Corridor southbound approximately 64M southwest of Aden, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | APPROACH - ERITREA, 06 FEBRUARY
A Barbados-flagged, United Kingdom-owned general cargo ship incurred physical damage from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) hit 40M northeast of Tiyo, Eritrea and 57M west of Hodeidah, Yemen.
WAR RISK | PHYSICAL DAMAGE - YEMEN, 05 FEBRUARY
A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier was approached by two small boats while transiting southbound through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, approximately 6M west of Perim Island, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | APPROACH - YEMEN, 05 FEBRUARY
Ambrey detected Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) activity near the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) approximately 150M southeast of Aden, Yemen.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 05 FEBRUARY
A Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged container ship sighted a military vessel while transiting the Maritime Security Transit Corridor northbound approximately 27M southeast of Perim Island, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 03 FEBRUARY
Ambrey has been made aware of spurious reports, which indicate we issued notice today regarding a maritime security incident in the Bab al-Mandeb. This is false.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 03 FEBRUARY
Ambrey detected a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier begin to drift 60M southeast of Aden, Yemen. The bulker had been underway at 11kts eastbound in the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC).
UNUSUAL ACTIVITY | DRIFTING/SLOWED - YEMEN, 02 FEBRUARY
Ambrey is aware of heightened unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) activity within a 30M radius centred to the west of Hodeidah, Yemen.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 02 FEBRUARY
Ambrey is aware of two explosions sighted offshore Zubair Island, Yemen. It was initially assessed that there were interceptions.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - DJIBOUTI, 02 FEBRUARY
A Liberia-flagged container ship sighted the Iranian Navy’s Alvand-class frigate, IRIN ALVAND (71), approximately 14M northeast of Djibouti.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING
Algeciras and Gibraltar
Algeciras and Gibraltar continue to busy. However, flows are working well with no disruption. Today, Algeciras has 44 vessels at berth and 59 in port. 23 vessels departed in the last 24 hours, 16 have arrived and a further 12 are expected in the next 24 hours. The current turnaround is 17:58 hours for Container vessels (14:58 hours last week) and 27:34 hours for tankers (64:11 hours last week). For enquiries, please contact email issalgecirasops@iss-shipping.com, tel +34 956 022 570.
Similarly, Gibraltar is also busy with vessels at 13 of the 17th available berths and 26 vessels in port.4 vessels are arriving in the next 24 hours, and 9 departed in the last 24 hours. To contact email issgibraltar@iss-shipping.com, tel +350 20072685.
Ports of Algeciras and Gibraltar. Source: www.worldofports.com
Port Louis
Activity at Port Louis has increased following the Cyclones of a few weeks ago, but it still has capacity with 7 vessels at the 27 available berths. 4 Vessels arrived in the previous 24 hours and a further 5 are expected in the next 24 hours. Port Louis offers Bunkering at OPL, therefore making it a favourable bunkering location for vessels transiting the Cape of Good Hope. For enquiries please contact email mruops@iss-shipping.com, tel +230 210 0589.
Port Louis, Mauritius. Source: www.worldofports.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@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@iss-shipping.com
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