The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) has issued new FAQs, guaranteeing safe passage for vessels in the Gulf of Aden, Bab el Mandeb, the Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea, provided they are not linked to sanctioned entities. The HOCC encourages companies to request free safe passage, asserting compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
According to the HOCC, this service is optional for vessels that do not fall under the declared ban, aiming to facilitate their transit through these waters. However, maritime security experts at Vanguard Tech caution that this service should not replace formal risk assessments. They suggest that the initiative may be more about legitimizing Houthi control over Yemeni waters than genuinely assisting the maritime industry.
Recently, the Houthis issued “pre-penalty” warnings to 64 global shipowners for allegedly violating a self-imposed blockade on Israeli ports, threatening attacks on their vessels. This warning follows the sinking of two Greek-owned bulk carriers, highlighting ongoing maritime tensions.
At a recent United Nations Security Council meeting, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez emphasized the need for dialogue, noting that geopolitical tensions have serious implications for maritime safety and human lives.
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