Welcome to the Inchcape Red Sea Situation daily bulletin relating to the situation in the Red Sea and Suez Canal for Friday, the 2nd of February.
Situation Update
On Friday, the 2nd of Feb 24, US Centcom reported on X (formerly Twitter), that on Feb. 1, at approximately 5:00 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces engaged and shot down one UAV over the Gulf of Aden. There were no injuries or damage reported.
Later the same day, at approximately 10:30 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes and destroyed an Iranian-backed Houthi explosive uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) in the Red Sea. U.S. forces identified the USV heading toward the international shipping lane and determined it presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region. U.S. Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the USV in self-defense, resulting in significant secondary explosions. There were no injuries or damage reported.
Then, at approximately 12:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), two anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, likely towards the M/V Koi in the Red Sea. The missiles impacted the water without hitting the ship. There were no injuries and no damage reported to the M/V Koi or coalition ships in the area. M/V Koi is a Liberian-flagged, Bermuda-owned cargo ship.
Suez Canal Transits
The trend continues to decline, with 36 transits today, the 2nd of February 2024.
Algeciras and Gibraltar
Algeciras and Gibraltar are showing major transits of vessels arriving and departing. Algeciras is very busy, with 47 vessels at berth and 72 in port. A further 11 are expected in the next 24 hours. The current turnaround is 14:58 hours for Container vessels and 64:11 hours for tankers.
Similarly, Gibraltar is also busy with vessels at 16 of the 17th available berths and 35 vessels in port. 8 vessels are arriving in the next 24 hours, and 25 departed in the last 24 hours.
Port Louis
Port Louis is showing high activity, but it still has capacity with 9 vessels at the 27 available berths. A further 3 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.
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 16 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.
Please contact us for a prompt PDA on these email addresses:
Algeciras: issalgecirasops@iss-shipping.com
Gibraltar: issgibraltar@iss-shipping.com
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
Subscribe to receive daily reports on the ongoing situation.