- Sanctions risks remain high when trading with Ansarallah-controlled entities or ports, particularly involving petroleum products.
- Vessel operators are urged to apply enhanced due diligence on counterparties, cargoes, and trade routes to avoid compliance breaches.
- Escalating hostile activity in the Red Sea, including drone and missile attacks, poses direct threats to vessel and crew safety.
- Ships with Israeli or Western affiliations face increased targeting risks, making voyage planning and crew protection measures critical.
Sanctions compliance and maritime safety remain key concerns for operators trading in and around Yemen, with heightened risks linked to regional conflict and sanctions enforcement. Vessel operators are advised to take a cautious approach, particularly when navigating through the Red Sea or engaging in transactions that may involve restricted entities or ports. This guidance has been outlined in a recent advisory published by The Shipowners’ Club.
Sanctions and Safety Risks in the Red Sea
The evolving security environment in the Red Sea and Yemeni waters presents both sanctions exposure and operational safety challenges for vessel operators. Transactions involving Ansarallah-controlled entities are considered high-risk and require strict due diligence, especially in relation to petroleum product deliveries and port operations. Counterparties, cargoes, and supply chains should undergo enhanced screening to avoid links to sanctioned parties, with vessel financing, shipping, and insurance facing increased scrutiny.
Alongside sanctions concerns, recent incidents of missile and drone attacks, as well as deliberate vessel targeting, highlight significant safety risks to both ships and crew. Vessels linked to Israel—whether through ownership, management, chartering, or historic trading ties—along with Western-affiliated operators, are considered particularly vulnerable to attacks. In light of these developments, operators are strongly encouraged to reassess voyage planning, enhance crew protection measures, and adopt best practice guidelines such as BMP maritime security standards. The Shipowners’ Club further reminds Members that cover is not available for trades breaching sanctions and advises comprehensive due diligence at every stage of operations.
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Source: The Shipowners’ Club
