Vessels have been turned away from Yemeni ports in the Red Sea as the Arab State coalition tightens blockades.
Commercial and private vessels are being turned away from Yemeni ports in the Red Sea that have been deemed to be under Houthi rebel control by the Arab State coalition.
P&I club Skuld has warned that any of their members with vessels in Yemen, or proceeding to Yemen must urgently review the situation; in particular, vessels that have recently called at Iranian or Iraqi ports as they are expected to garner the most focus from coalition warships.
It has also been stated by the UK P&I club that the coalition forces are not allowing any vessels travelling from Bab El-Mandeb to enter Yemeni territorial waters without permission. The Port of Al Hudaydah (Hodeida) is now closed to commercial shipping.
In recent days, a number of shipowners and operators have been diverting vessels to safer ports in the region, following a statement from Bimco advising that if a ship was thought to be entering a port taken by the Houthi rebels to provide supplies, the ship could be at risk from air strikes or naval action from the coalition.
It has been advised that any vessels berthed in a Yemeni port should raise their ISPS level to 3, and all other vessels avoid planning to port call in Yemen.
Regal Maritime Solutions are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to update any factual information as it develops.