Access the latest Maritime Security Threat Advisory for the week commencing 8th Jan 2024.

👉 Recent incidents have heightened tensions in key maritime regions. In the Red Sea, Yemen's Houthi rebels, with links to Iran, have been implicated in a drone attack on the Maersk Gibraltar, a cargo vessel navigating a crucial shipping lane.


Despite claims of a direct hit by the Houthis, a US official reported the missile missed its target. The attack, according to Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree, was a retaliatory measure against the alleged oppression of Palestinians and followed the ship's crew ignoring calls from Yemeni naval services.


An Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), known for its disruptive presence in the Gulf and notorious for its impact on the Russian Black Sea Fleet, has now emerged in the southern Red Sea. The specific details of this incident remain limited, but Vice Admiral Cooper of the US Fifth Fleet noted the USV's journey from Houthi-controlled areas to international waters, apparently aiming to attack.

 

Meanwhile, in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy successfully thwarted a hijacking attempt on the Liberian-flagged MV Lila Norfolk. The navy's swift action led to the rescue of all 21 crew members, including 15 Indians. The operation, which occurred near Somalia's coast, involved extensive sanitization procedures by the navy, ensuring no pirates remained on board.

These incidents underline the escalating maritime security challenges in these regions, impacting global shipping and trade routes.

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