UK authorities have warned vessels in the Red Sea about impostors seeking information and demanding AIS transmissions. Security protocols should be used to confirm the identity of contacts. Techniques like displaying warning messages on security guards on board or stopping AIS transmissions are being used to enhance security. UKMTO is providing instructions to verify such calls.
To deal with the crisis in the Red Sea, shipping companies have resorted to bundling vessels, causing severe congestion in key ports like Singapore and Shanghai/Ningbo. Ships are waiting almost two weeks to dock, with hundreds of containers stranded. Prices for containers have sharply risen due to high demand and supply issues.
The booming market scenario in the shipping industry due to the diversion via the Cape of Good Hope has led to a high demand for container ships and bulk carriers. Despite SCI’s plan to expand its fleet with six vessels, including container ships and tankers, fleet owners have been reluctant to respond to their requests for additional second-hand tonnage.
