- Maritime Experts Warn AIS Declarations Unlikely to Prevent Targeting.
- Chinese-Operated Tanker Hit Despite Houthi Assurances.
- Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Declared High-Risk by Insurers.
Commercial vessels currently navigating the Red Sea are now sending out messages on their AIS (Automatic Identification System) profiles to indicate their nationality, religious beliefs, or to clarify that they have no connections to Israel, all to steer clear of being targeted by Yemen’s Houthis. Ship-tracking platforms like MarineTraffic and LSEG have shown messages such as All Crew Muslim or references to an all-Chinese crew and management, along with alerts about armed guards on board, reports Reuters.
Deadly Houthi Attacks Resume After Months of Calm
This surge in public declarations comes on the heels of two ships being sunk by Houthi forces this week, shattering a period of relative peace. The Iran-aligned group, which has been targeting shipping since November 2023, has once again emphasised its blockade on vessels associated with Israel.
“There would be no passage for any company transporting goods connected to Israel,” said Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi.
Desperation Grows as Ships Attempt to Signal Neutrality
Maritime security experts are pointing out that these AIS messages reveal a growing sense of desperation among crews. “Houthi intelligence preparation was much deeper and forward-leaning,” one source remarked, raising questions about how effective these broadcasts are in preventing attacks. Interestingly, the ships that sank this week were discovered to have had previous connections to Israeli ports, even though they didn’t show any clear Israeli affiliations during their journeys.
Previous Promises Offer Little Protection
It turns out that even vessels once considered safe are now in jeopardy. Back in March 2024, the Chinese-operated tanker Huang Pu was struck by ballistic missiles, despite earlier Houthi promises not to target Chinese ships. U.S. Central Command confirmed the attack. Additionally, vessels engaged in trade with Russia have also come under fire.
Red Sea Remains a High-Risk Zone
“Despite declared ceasefires, areas such as the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait remain designated high-risk by underwriters,” noted insurance broker Aon in a recent report. The company emphasised the need for “ongoing monitoring and adaptive security measures” for ship operators.
Shipping Traffic Continues to Decline
Sailings through the Bab al-Mandab Strait have taken a significant hit. According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, only 35 vessels made their way through the strait on July 10, a drop from 43 on July 1 and well below the daily average of 79 recorded in October 2023, before the recent attacks started.
Insurance Costs Soar, Coverage Limited
In the wake of the latest incidents, the price of insuring cargo travelling through the Red Sea has skyrocketed, more than doubling. Some underwriters have even decided to halt coverage entirely for voyages they consider too risky.
Global Shipping Workforce Under Threat
“Seafarers are the backbone of global trade, keeping countries supplied with food, fuel and medicine. They should not have to risk their lives to do their job,” said the UK-based Seafarers’ Charity, underlining the human cost of the escalating crisis.
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Source: Reuters
