UPDATED: BIMCO and others publish security guidelines for Southern Red...

UPDATED: BIMCO and others publish security guidelines for Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

Published: 05 February 2024

Industry associations have revised the security guidance applicable to navigating in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

This guidance is issued by shipping associations BIMCO, CLIA, ICS, IMCA, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO and OCIMF.

It follows a series of attacks by the Houthis, a Yemen-based Iran-backed rebel group. The group attacks shipping which in their view has some affiliation with Israel, ships coming from- or going to Israeli ports, and ships affiliated with the US or the UK. The guidance has been updated to reflect most recent developments.

The guidance emphasises the importance of conducting a thorough ship and voyage-specific threat and risk assessment considering any additional advice from the ship’s flag state before passing through the area in question. The guidance highlights that the maritime threat from the Houthi forces is greater in the vicinity of the Yemeni Red Sea coastline which is to some extent controlled by the Houthis. The guidance also advises against following Houthi instructions to divert to Houthi-controlled ports for detention of the ship and crew and gives direction regarding suitable waiting areas in case of decision to postpone transit through the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The full guidance is available below.

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