Introduction
Welcome to the Inchcape Red Sea Situation daily bulletin relating to the situation in the Red Sea and Suez Canal for Monday, the 5th of February. The recording of the Global Shipping Report 2024, in partnership with Ambrey, is now available HERE.
Situation Update
On Sunday 4th February US Centcom reported on X (formerly Twitter), “On Feb. 4, at approximately 5:30 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted a strike in self-defense against a Houthi a land attack cruise missile. Beginning at 10:30 a.m. U.S. forces struck four anti-ship cruise missiles, all of which were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea. U.S. forces identified the missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels.”
They had earlier reported, “As part of ongoing international efforts to respond to increased Iranian-backed Houthi destabilizing and illegal activities in the region, on Feb. 3 at approximately 11:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces, alongside UK Armed Forces and with the support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand conducted strikes against 36 Houthi targets at 13 locations in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen. These multilateral coalition strikes focused on targets in Houthi-controlled Yemen used to attack international merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region. These Iranian-backed Houthi targets included multiple underground storage facilities, command and control, missile systems, UAV storage and operations sites, radars, and helicopters. These strikes are intended to degrade Houthi capabilities used to continue their reckless and unlawful attacks on U.S. and U.K. ships as well as international commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. These strikes are separate and distinct from the multinational freedom of navigation actions performed under Operation Prosperity Guardian.”
Ambrey has also reported the following – “Ambrey has been made aware of spurious reports, which indicate we issued notice today regarding a maritime security incident in the Bab al-Mandeb. At the time of writing, Ambrey had not reported any such incident (23:00 UTC, 3 February 2024). The reports originated online, with a pro-Hamas handle, and should be disregarded.” – As per the Webinar recommendations, be sure to check that communications are coming from trusted sources.
Suez Canal Transits
Today there were 38 Suez Canal Transits, slightly above the January average of 36. However, this does not indicate an increase in transits as we have seen highs and lows between 52 and 27 transits in the last 30 days.
Algeciras and Gibraltar
Algeciras and Gibraltar continue to busy. However, flows are working well with no disruption. Today, Algeciras has 42 vessels at berth and 70 in port. 31 vessels departed in the last 24 hours, 39 have arrived and a further 13 are expected in the next 24 hours. The current turnaround is 16:06 hours for Container vessels (14:58 hours last week) and 28:47 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 20 of the 17th available berths and 38 vessels in port. 9 vessels are arriving in the next 24 hours, and 25 departed in the last 24 hours. To contact email issgibraltar@iss-shipping.com, tel +350 20072685.
Port Louis
Activity at Port Louis has increased following the Cyclones of a few weeks ago, but it still has capacity with 8 vessels at the 27 available berths. 5 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.
How can Inchcape Shipping Services help?
As mentioned in previous posts, 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.
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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