MSB 07/2025 - Vessel Attack in the Southern Red Sea

9 July 2025

MARINE SECURITY BULLETIN – 07/2025

Dear Shipowners, Operators and Masters  

Subject: Vessel Attack in the Southern Red Sea

On July 07, a cargo vessel was attached by drones and surface vessels in position 14-28.50N 04209.22E approximately 49 nautical miles southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. Reports indicate the vessel has been targeted by 5 aerial drones as well as surface vessels with small arms fire. The vessel had sustained damage to communications equipment. There have been two injured crew members, other vessels in the area had been contacted to render immediate assistance.

During the night of July 08/09, the vessel was attacked once again by drones with the intention to further damage the vessel. As the lifesaving appliances were damaged, some crew were forced to jump into the sea. It has been reported that 5 crew and 1 security personnel have been rescued from the sea, while the search for the other 17 crew and 2 security personnel is currently ongoing. There are unconfirmed reports that some of the missing persons are being held in custody ashore.

Security Level

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. The decision to transit remains at the discretion of the Company, considering the number of recent targeted attacks on commercial ships, with affiliation to Israel by ownership, cargo or port calls by any of the Company’s ships. Liberian flagged vessel, shipowners, operators and masters are highly encouraged to reference Marine Security Advisory 09/2023, as revised for updated information and points of contact prior to navigating through the region.

Recommendations

All vessels should report to the UKMTO and register with the Maritime Security Centre for the Indian Ocean (MSCIO) in accordance with industry BMP (Best Management Practices) and take advice from the coalition forces operating in the area. Best Management Practices for Maritime Security (BMPMS) 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 seafarers. Additional guidance to the threats, mitigations and considerations to transiting this area are available in the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) advisories : https://www.ukmto.org/partner-products/jmic-products.

UKMTO acts as the primary point of contact for merchant vessels and liaison with military forces in the region. Vessels are encouraged to register with UKMTO and report their positions (By email daily at 08.00 UTC) whilst operating in the area.

The MSCIO is the planning and coordination centre for the EU Naval Forces (EU NAVFOR). MSCIO encourages companies to register their ships’ movements before entering the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA).

Contact Information

In an emergency, vessels transiting the Arabian Gulf, Straits of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, should contact NAVCENT Battle Watch Phone: +973-1785-3879; Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) Primary Watch Floor Phone: +973-1785-0033, Contingency Mobile Phone: +973- 3940-4523, Email: m-ba-cusnc-ncags@us.navy.mil .

Contact MSCIO prior to transiting the Gulf of Oman, Straits of Hormuz and Arabian Gulf.

The contact details of MSCIO are:

Maritime Security Centre – Indian Ocean (MSCIO) Email postmaster@mscio.eu

Telephone +33 (0) 298 220 220 +33 (0) 298 220 170

Fax +44 1923 958520 Website www.ukmto.org

When transiting the Gulf of Oman, Straits of Hormuz and Arabian Gulf should 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