Marine Security Advisory: 09/2023 - Security Situation in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea
29 December 2023
Marine Security Advisory 09/2023
This document is archived. It is kept for reference and may have been superseded.
29 December 2023
MARINE SECURITY ADVISORY – 09/2023
(Supersedes Marine Security Advisory 08/2023 and supplements Marine Security Advisory 01/2023)
Subject: Security Situation in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea
References: a). Interim industry transit advise, Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
The following changes have been included:
- Extended the range of attacks to the Arabian Sea and all of the Red Sea.
- Added contact details of COMUSNAVCENT
Dear Owners/Operators/Company Security Officers/Masters:
The purpose of this Marine Security Advisory is to inform Owners/Operators/Company Security Officers/Masters of the imminent threat of attacks by armed skiffs, drones or anti-ship missiles in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea.
It has appeared that Houthi militia are threatening and attacking vessels that they believe as having direct affiliation/links with Israel, Israeli Nationals or ships directly associated with the Saudi-led coalition involved in the Houthi conflict with the Yemeni government. Over the last few weeks, the militia have engaged in threats and attacks on multiple vessels engaged in innocent passage through the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea. On multiple occasions the Houthi militia have launched missiles from drones and have demanded ships to turn around and proceed to Houthi controlled areas of Yemen.
Liberian flagged vessels transiting the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea are to increase their security level to security level 3 and implement all protective measures in their Ship Security Plan. In addition, Liberian flagged vessels should avoid calling ports in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels.
As per International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution A.1106(29) paragraph 22, if the master believes that the continual operation of AIS might compromise the safety and security of his/her ship or where security incidents are imminent, the AIS may be switched off. Be advised that Houthi militia have attacked ships with AIS switched on and off. While switching the AIS off can make it more difficult for the militia to track vessels, it will also make it more difficult for the vessel to receive support if needed. Limiting AIS data to the mandatory fields and omitting the next port of call could be considered.
All vessels should report to the UKMTO and register with the Maritime Security Centre for the Horn
of Africa (MSCHOA) in accordance with industry BMP (Best Management Practices) and take advice from the coalition forces operating in the area. Best Management Practices 5 (BMP5) will continue to provide the necessary guidance for shipping to ensure threat and risk assessments are developed for every voyage to mitigate the risks presented by remaining security threats in the region. The shipping industry will continue to monitor and advise on maritime security threats to assist the safe transit of vessels and the seafarers.
In an emergency, vessels transiting the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, should contact COMUSNAVCENT, NSA Bahrain: Tel: +973-1785-3879, Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) Duty Phone: +973-3940-4523, Email: m-ba-navcent-ncags@us.navy.mil
When operating within territorial seas or calling ports within the previously defined HRA as shown on UKHO Chart Q6099, Masters shall set the vessel security level to the level set by the port State authority but may implement security measures in excess of the security level set by the port authorities based on their assessment of the conditions in the port. When operating outside territorial seas or ports within the previously defined HRA shown on UKHO chart Q6099, all Liberian flagged vessels shall operate at security level II. All security level changes should be reported directly to the Flag Administration by the Master via email security@liscr.com.
The Liberian Administration strongly recommends that Vessels Owners, Characters, Operators and Ships Masters continue to carry out pre-voyage threat and risk assessments to consider the latest maritime security information from organizations supporting the VRA. In addition, Liberian flagged vessels may consider using a Private Maritime Security Company (PMSC) to provide additional armed or unarmed security personnel while transiting the high-risk area. Authorized Private Maritime Security Companies.
Contact MSCHOA prior to transiting the Western Indian Ocean, the Somali Basin, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea.
The contact details of MSCHOA are:
Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSCHOA)
Email postmaster@mschoa.org
Telephone +44 1923 958545 +44 1923 958700
Fax +44 1923 958520 Website www.mschoa.org
When transiting the Western Indian Ocean, the Somali Basin, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and Red
Sea.
Register their vessels with UKMTO
Email: watchkeepers@ukmto.org; and ukmto@eim.ae Phone: +44 - 2392-222060, +971-50-552-3215 Fax +44 1923 958520
Please keep LISCR’s Security Department informed of any security incidents at:
Office of the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs Republic of Liberia
22980 Indian Creek Drive, Suite 200 Dulles, Virginia 20166 USA
D: +1 571 495 5944 / O: +1 703 790 3434 / F: +1 703 790 5655 Email: Security@liscr.com www.liscr.com
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