Access the latest Maritime Security Threat Advisory for the week commencing 5th Feb 2024.
👉 The threat against commercial maritime traffic in the Red Sea, primarily attributed to Houthi militants' actions, has significantly escalated across the past two weeks following continued attacks against commercial vessels and increasing air strikes by US and UK forces.
Houthi militants continue to launch sophisticated attacks using drones, missiles, and direct attempts to board vessels where the opportunity presents itself. The targeting of commercial vessels to disrupt global trade routes is proving to be a significantly evolving threat that looks likely to be leveraged against the developing political environment in key Western states. This situation not only poses a direct risk to vessel safety and crew but also impacts global shipping routes and global trade flows, with potentially broader implications for international commerce and insurance costs. The strategic importance of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, coupled with the militants' increasing capabilities, underscores the urgency for enhanced security measures and international cooperation to safeguard maritime navigation in these critical waters.
Such measures remain embryonic, with little tangible evidence at this stage of how these will be implemented in the longer term.