The US-led naval coalition in the Red Sea has warned all ships to stay away from the Bab el-Mandeb strait for "several" days, according to shipping association Intertanko, following the escalation of attacks by Yemen's Houthi militants on commercial vessels in the region and retaliatory measures by the US and UK.
In a message to its members, Intertanko said the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) has recommended ships stay outside the Gulf of Aden "while a period of taking stock of the situation is undertaken until daylight on Saturday 13 January." Since the recommendation was made, the UK Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it has received a report of a missile being fired at a vessel southeast of Aden. This is much further east than any of the recent assaults on shipping.
Tanker owners Hafnia, Stena Bulk and Torm told Argus they have decided today to stop sending ships through the southern Red Sea, joining shipowners including Belgian tanker owner Euronav in avoiding the area. A number of vessels are turning back from the Red Sea, ship tracking data show, including product tanker PM Monarch, formerly owned by Hafnia, and Trafigura-controlled Free Spirit.
The decision could be taken by more vessel owners as security risks increase in the region in the wake of the escalating attacks by the Houthis. Last night, the US and the UK carried out air and missile strikes against Houthi facilities in Yemen that the allies say were used to attack commercial shipping and naval vessels in the Red Sea. The action follows a warning by Washington and its allies on 3 January for the Houthis to stop targeting commercial ships or face military escalation. The Houthi disregarded the warning and on 9 January carried out their most sophisticated attack yet, targeting a US warship in the Red Sea.
Marine security specialist Dryad Global has advised all of its clients to suspend their operations in the Red Sea for at least 72 hours.
"Last night's military engagement, distinct from [naval response] Operation Prosperity Guardian, warrants caution," it said. "The full impact and effectiveness of these airstrikes are still being assessed. In the interim, there is a heightened risk of Houthi forces seeking immediate retribution by targeting accessible vessels within their vicinity."
Clean tanker diversions around the Cape of Good Hope had halted at the end of December, with most preferring to use the Suez Canal again, according to data from Vortexa. Two of the world's largest shipowners, Danish Maersk and German Hapag-Lloyd extended diversions away from the Suez Canal after the start of Operation Prosperity Guardian did not fully deter attacks by the Houthi.
