Welcome to the Inchcape Red Sea Situation daily bulletin relating to the situation in the Red Sea and Suez Canal for Wednesday, 10th January. Yesterday saw one of the largest attacks by Ansar Allah (Houthis).
US Centcom reported on X (formerly Twitter) “On Jan. 9, at approximately 9:15 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthis launched a complex attack of Iranian designed one-way attack UAVs (OWA UAVs), anti-ship cruise missiles, and an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Southern Red Sea, towards international shipping lanes where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting. Eighteen OWA UAVs, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile were shot down by a combined effort of F/A-18s from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Gravely (DDG 107), USS Laboon (DDG 58), USS Mason (DDG 87), and the United Kingdom’s HMS Diamond (D34). This is the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since Nov. 19. There were no injuries or damage reported.”
On 4th January, Ambrey also informed of an Israel-affiliated chemical/products tanker was reportedly targeted by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle west of the Maldives. This vessel’s AIS transmissions stopped approximately 208M west of Male, Maldives (See Ambrey iStream summary below).
Ambrey also reports an increased risk of piracy in the region off the coast of Somaliland. Additionally, they report the same in the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa.
Ambrey Weekly Intelligence – iStream 3rd January to 10th January
- YEMEN, 10 JANUARY
A Liberia-flagged tanker sighted a military vessel while passing Point A of the International Recommended Transit Corridor westbound approximately 48.9M south of Aden, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - ERITREA, 09 JANUARY
Ambrey is aware of an incident approximately 33M northeast of Iddi, Eritrea and 56M southwest of Hodeidah, Yemen. Ambrey has been informed that coalition warships are assisting a convoy of vessels.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 09 JANUARY
Ambrey received reports of suspicious activity from two merchant vessels southwest of Mokha, Yemen. In the first report, a tanker either saw flares or missile trails.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 09 JANUARY
Ambrey received information that aerial projectiles were seen approximately 50M west of Hodeidah, Yemen. Ambrey observed nine merchant vessels adjust course away from Yemen around the time of the event.
WAR RISK | SUSPICIOUS APPROACH - YEMEN, 09 JANUARY
Ambrey was made aware of continued Ansar Allah (‘Houthi’) VHF warnings to merchant shipping headed towards the Red Sea.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 09 JANUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier sighted a military vessel while transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait northbound approximately 12.6M southwest of Mocha, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - IRAQ, 09 JANUARY
Ambrey received information indicating that a vessel was boarded and detained by Iranian naval personnel in Iraqi waters approximately 39M east of Kuwait City, Kuwait.
WAR RISK | SEIZURE - OMAN, 08 JANUARY
A Djibouti-flagged standby safety vessel sighted a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel approximately 132.6M south of Salalah, Oman. The warship was transiting westbound.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - DJIBOUTI, 08 JANUARY
A vessel was reportedly approached by two small boats while exiting the Bab el-Mandeb southbound approximately 114M southeast of Perim Island, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | APPROACH - YEMEN, 08 JANUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier sighted two military vessels while transiting the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) westbound approximately 59M south of Bi’r Ali, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 06 JANUARY
Ambrey received information that a merchant vessel was approached by six ‘craft’ approximately 50M southeast of Mocha, Yemen. The small boats reportedly came within 1M of the merchant vessel.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 06 JANUARY
Ambrey has received a report of a maritime security event in the Bab al Mandab area. Crews are advised to minimise deck movements and only essential crew should be on the bridge.
WAR RISK | SUSPICIOUS APPROACH - ERITREA, 05 JANUARY
Ambrey received information that Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were sighted approximately 41M northeast of Emahmime, Eritrea. The UAVs reportedly circled the vessel.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - INTERNATIONAL, 05 JANUARY
A Cayman Islands-flagged bulk carrier reported sighting a fishing boat 504M offshore Hafun, Somalia. The boat had a white superstructure, with a yellow hull and red stripes.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | APPROACH - YEMEN, 05 JANUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged products tanker reported seeing a destroyer 83M southeast of Mukalla, Yemen. The destroyer was headed westbound at a speed of 25kts.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 05 JANUARY
Ambrey was made aware of continued Ansar Allah (‘Houthi’) VHF warnings to merchant shipping headed towards the Red Sea.
WAR RISK | SIGHTING - INDIA, 04 JANUARY
An Israel-affiliated chemical/products tanker was reportedly targeted by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle north of the Maldives. Her AIS transmissions stopped approximately 326M west of Kochi, India.
WAR RISK | SUSPICIOUS APPROACH - YEMEN, 04 JANUARY
Ambrey has received intelligence of missiles fired from the Taiz Governorate, Yemen, towards the Bab al Mandab. Ambrey is working to establish the outcome.
WAR RISK | SUSPICIOUS APPROACH - MALDIVES, 04 JANUARY
An Israel-affiliated chemical/products tanker was reportedly targeted by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle west of the Maldives. This vessel’s AIS transmissions stopped approximately 208M west of Male, Maldives.
WAR RISK | SUSPICIOUS APPROACH - INTERNATIONAL, 04 JANUARY
A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier was reportedly boarded by armed individuals while underway 458M southeast of Eyl, Somalia. It was reported that either five or six people boarded.
CRIME | BOARDING - YEMEN, 04 JANUARY
Ambrey teams reported seeing two naval warships to the north of the westbound lane of the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC), southeast of Mukalla, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 04 JANUARY
A Marshall Islands-flagged crude/oil products tanker reported sighting a group of smaller vessels moving from south to north, 104M southeast of Nishtun, Yemen.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING - YEMEN, 04 JANUARY
On the 4th of January, the US Navy reported that the Ansar Allah (the ‘Houthis’) had launched an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) earlier that morning toward shipping in the Red Sea.
WAR RISK | SUSPICIOUS APPROACH - YEMEN, 03 JANUARY
Ambrey observed a Hong Kong (SAR), China-flagged container ship abruptly adjust course and increase speed 89M south of Socotra island, Yemen. This has been categorised as an unusual activity.
UNUSUAL ACTIVITY | UNUSUAL MANOEUVRES - YEMEN, 03 JANUARY
A US Navy helicopter was observed in the Red Sea 63M west of Hodeidah, Yemen. The elevation was an estimated 1,000 ft. It was headed northwards, at a speed of approximately 91kts.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | SIGHTING
Suez Canal Transits
We have continued to see a decline in Suez Canal Transits. Yesterday saw just 40 vessels, which represents 50% less traffic than a month ago.
Cape of Good Hope Rerouting
Through World of Ports we now see several vessels arriving in Port Louis, Mauritius and Durban, South Africa. There is a greater demand for Husbandry Services such as Crew Change, Bunkering, Provisioning, and Underwater Cleaning. There is less congestion at Cape Town, most likely due to customs and regulatory disputes.
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
Subscribe to receive daily reports on the ongoing situation.