MSB 12/2025 - Vessel Attack in the Gulf of Aden

2 October 2025

MARINE SECURITY BULLETIN – 12/2025

Dear Shipowners, Operators and Masters  

Subject: Vessel Attack in the Gulf of Aden

On September 29, a cargo vessel was targeted by suspected missile approximately 128 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen. Reports indicate the vessel has been struck by a missile and vessel is currently on fire and adrift. The vessel has sustained damage to the bow area of the vessel, but reports have yet to specify further details. Crew have evacuated the vessel, and it is currently adrift. Of the nineteen crewmembers, two were reported injured, of the two injured, one has been transferred to Djibouti for further care. The remaining eighteen crew members were evacuated to the naval vessel ASPIDES. The vessel remains adrift in the Gulf of Aden while recovery operations are executed.

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.

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