Revised Navigation Guidelines Issued for Southern Red Sea by Shipping Industry

A group of shipping associations has issued revised safety guidelines for vessels navigating the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in response to attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. The new guidelines were released by prominent organizations including BIMCO, CLIA, ICS, and INTERTANKO, among others. The attacks, targeted at ships linked to Israel, the US, and Britain, have raised concerns about the safety of navigation in the area.

Ships transiting the region are advised to remain vigilant due to the risk of collateral damage from accidental attacks. The main threats include anti-ship missiles, water-launched explosives, and drones, particularly near Yemen’s Red Sea coast. The guidance emphasizes the need for a comprehensive threat assessment and risk analysis before transiting through the area, as well as measures to limit access to information and updates to vessel systems.

The instructions also advise against following Houthi instructions to divert to Houthi-controlled ports, provide guidance on appropriate waiting areas, and recommend security measures such as BMP5, while cautioning against the use of armed guards. The full instructions can be downloaded for further details.

Source .