The Southern Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb and the northern Gulf of Aden

MARSEC/ISPS-level

The current security situation in the southern part of the Red Sea and northern part of Gulf of Aden is still unclear and unpredictable and the NMA maintains MARSEC/ISPS 3 for the following areas:

• The southern Red Sea (South of N018° 00’)
• Bab el Mandeb
• Yemeni TTW and the traffic separation zone in the Gulf of Aden (East to E053°00’)

On 16 January, Israel and Hamas agreed a Gaza ceasefire. The Houthi militia has on several occasions stated that they will stop attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea once a ceasefire has been reached in Gaza. Responding to this turn of events, the Houthis announced on 19 January that they will limit their attacks to Israeli owned and flagged ships but that they will continue attacking U.S. and U.K affiliated merchant vessels if the military attacks on land-based targets in Yemen continues.

Although there have been no attacks on ships in the Gulf of Aden or in the Red Sea since the ceasefire came into place, the Houthi militia still have military capabilities to carry out attacks against shipping in the Red Sea and has also stated that attacks on vessels in the Red Sea will continue if the ceasefire is breached. Although the recent security developments in the region are promising the situation remains uncertain. The NMA follows therefore the maritime security situation and the developments in the region closely and in dialogue with international partners and the shipping industry.

Other information

NMA will also make a reference to the Act of 21 June 2013 No. 102 relating to employment protection, etc. for employees on board ships (Ship Labour Act) Section 9-5 Right to leave service which entitle a person working on board to leave service on board if there is war or war-like conditions in waters in which the ship shall sail or in a port for which the ship is bound.