After a hiatus of more than six months, the Houthis have resumed targeted attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, escalating concerns over maritime security in the region.
Israeli-affiliated vessels in the crosshairs
The Houthis are targeting vessels they perceive to have affiliations with Israel or Israelis. Such affiliations reportedly include ships owned by companies whose other vessels have visited Israeli ports. Both ships attacked in recent days are believed to fall under this category.
On 6 July, the bulk carrier Magic Seas came under attack by armed men in multiple skiffs. Despite an initial firefight between the attackers and the ship’s onboard armed guards, the assailants managed to gain control of the vessel. They subsequently detonated a series of explosive charges, leading to the vessel’s sinking. Fortunately, all crew members were reported to have been safely rescued.
The following day, 7 July, the bulk carrier Eternity C was also attacked. This incident was far more tragic, resulting in several seafarer casualties, others sustaining injuries, and numerous still unaccounted for at the time of writing (9 July morning in Europe).
Guidance for Red Sea Transits
In response to these developments, BIMCO, in collaboration with other shipping associations, has issued updated guidance to help vessels mitigate risks while transiting the Southern Red Sea. These resources, available at maritimeglobalsecurity.org, include:
- Best Management Practices for Maritime Security (BMP MS)
- Detailed guidance for navigating the Southern Red Sea
- Maritime Security Threat Overviews (MISTO)
Ship operators and masters are strongly encouraged to review these documents alongside up-to-date threat intelligence from private security providers or authorities such as UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC).
Recommendations for Enhanced Security
BIMCO emphasises the importance of conducting thorough security risk assessments prior to transiting the Red Sea and urges members to take a conservative approach. Establishing the degree to which the vessel is affiliated with Israel constitutes a key element. In this context it is important to note that false information in circulation about Israeli affiliation may be sufficient to convince the Houthis that the ship is worth attacking. It should also be noted, that while the Houthis have in general been reasonably successful at hitting targets according to their predefined criteria, they have also occasionally attacked ships without any affiliation whatsoever to Israel. Furthermore, as the current scenario develops, a Houthi expansion of their target scope cannot be ruled out.
Additionally, vessels are urged to adhere to BMP MS measures, including reporting their movements to UKMTO.
Support from warships
The European Union’s naval operation ASPIDES is currently active in the region and offers the possibility of accompaniment for merchant vessels transiting the Red Sea. However, it is important to note that resources are limited, and protection cannot be guaranteed for all vessels. For additional information and to request support, visit https://reporting.mscio.eu/supportrequest.
BIMCO remains committed to supporting the shipping industry in navigating these heightened security challenges and ensuring the safety of seafarers and vessels operating in the region.
