The Marlin Luanda, carrying Russian naphtha, pictured January 27, 2024 after it was struck by a Houthi missile in the Gulf of Aden. Photo courtesy Indian Navy
The maritime security situation continues to escalate in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and the Indian Ocean, with threats growing significantly more complex and widespread, according to a report by Ambrey, a leading maritime security firm.
The situation poses a significant risk to life and the safety of vessels in the area, with Iranian forces, the Houthis, and Somali pirates recently launching attacks on civilian merchant shipping.
Iran has reportedly been targeting Israel-affiliated merchant shipping since at least February 2021, as part of an ongoing ‘grey zone’ conflict.
The Houthi threat to Israeli merchant shipping has also expanded in scope and geography, with attacks now also targeting American and British-affiliated merchant shipping. Despite the significant naval response to these threats, the Houthis have continued to attack shipping. As vessels reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, Ambrey says risk levels on other routes are also increasing as Houthi weapon capability improves.
Ambrey also points out that even if the Israel-Gaza conflict were to de-escalate, it wouldn’t guarantee that the Houthis would cease targeting certain affiliations completely.
Meanwhile, the suppression of Somali-based piracy over the past decade has led to the reduction of designated threat areas in the region, however, Somali pirates have recently acted in international waters beyond the Indian Ocean Listed Area.
Despite international military presence, though significant, navies have been unable ensure the safe passage of ships through the region. Therefor, all available mitigation measures should be evaluated and considered.
Ambrey recommends reconsidering armed guard embarkation locations to provide appropriate and proportionate levels of armed security support in the region. They also suggest all vessels considering transiting or trading in the region should undertake a Voyage Risk Assessment prior to any final route decision being made.
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