[BITList] Southern Red Sea

[michael J Feltham]

New guidance for Red Sea/Gulf of Aden transits

Vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden must continue to operate in a heightened state of alert and should pass through the Bab-el-Mandeb area during the hours of darkness only. The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) published new guidance to vessels operating in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden on 16 July 2017. Their press release refers to the ongoing conflict in Yemen and highlights recent attacks against two tankers in the approaches to the Bab-el-Mandeb, both conducted by small boats during daylight hours. While the CMF do not expect merchant vessels to be targeted by the forces fighting in Yemen, they emphasise that there may be a risk of collateral damage to commercial shipping which should not be ignored. The CMF press release and guidance is available here and Members and clients with vessels operating in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are advised to take the following recommendations into account when conducting voyage planning: vessels transiting northbound, from the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea, are advised to pass through the area between 44 00 East in the Gulf of Aden and 13 00 N in the Southern Red Sea during the hours of darkness and exit the Traffic Separation Scheme to the West of the Hanish Islands in daylight hours; vessels transiting southbound, from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, are advised to pass through the area between 13 00 N in the Southern Red Sea and 44 00 E in the Gulf of Aden during the hours of darkness; and all vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb should follow the guidance of BMP4 to the maximum extent possible. According to information received from Gard’s correspondent in Yemen, Gulf Agency Co. Ltd. (GAC), most major Yemeni ports are open and we refer to our website “Yemen – port situation” updated on 25 July 2017 for guidance on entry conditions applicable to vessels calling at Yemeni ports. However, as the situation in Yemen is volatile and since advice concerning port security and operation in this region may change rapidly, it is important to make frequent checks with local sources of information, e.g. maritime authorities, vessel’s agent, Gard’s correspondent, etc., to obtain the most up to date and reliable security information available at any given time and assess the risks involved. Source: Gard (http://www.gard.no/web/updates/content/23757775/new- guidance-for-red-seagulf-of-aden-transits) 
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