Marshall Islands amends ship security advisories SSA-01-24, SSA-02-24, and SSA-03-24

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has amended three ship security advisories SSA-01-24, SSA-02-24, and SSA-03-24 regarding threats to shipping.

The advisories were published on 15 May 2024.

SSA-01-24: Threats to Shipping in the Red Sea Region

Updates:

• The advisory has been revised to reflect significant developments in the Red Sea / Gulf of Aden region.
• The geographic scope now includes the Arabian Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean (EMED), and the Northwestern Indian Ocean.
• §2.0 has been updated with additional threat and risk considerations.
• Additional supplemental information has been provided in §8.0.

Threat and Risk Considerations:

• Regional actors in the Southern Red Sea (SRS), Bab-al-Mandeb (BaM), and Gulf of Aden (GoA) are capable of harassing and attacking commercial ships using various methods, including small boats, UAVs, and mines.
• Attacks continue in the SRS, BaM, and GoA, with potential risks extending to the Northern Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Northwestern Indian Ocean, and EMED. Vessels should remain vigilant.
• Houthis target ships linked to Israel, the US, and the UK, but all vessels risk collateral damage.
• On 3 May, Houthis threatened to target ships heading to Israel from the Mediterranean Sea, though air defenses are considered capable of countering this threat.

Supplemental Information:

• The Maritime Global Security website offers best practices, BMP guidelines, regional guidance, and security reporting contacts.
• Shipping industry associations have published interim transit advice for the SRS, BaM, and GoA.
• Latest security incident information and advice from coalition military forces are available on the UKMTO and MSCHOA websites.
• The Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) shares information on Houthi attacks, with products posted on the UKMTO website.
• Additional information can be found on the RMI Maritime Administrator’s Maritime Security webpage.

SSA-02-24: Threats to Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz Region

Updates:

• Coalition force contacts have been updated throughout the advisory and in Appendix A.
• Appendix B has been updated and customized for RMI-flagged vessels.

SSA-03-24: Possible Resurgence of Somali-Based Piracy in the Indian Ocean Region

Updates:

• This revised advisory primarily includes editorial changes.
• The most significant update is in the reporting section, which now includes instructions on how to request information or assistance from the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA.

Reporting:
3.1 Vessels transiting the UKMTO VRA must participate in the BMP5 voluntary reporting scheme in accordance with §5.0 of RMI Marine Notice 2-011-39:

1. Register with MSCHOA upon entry into the UKMTO VRA. To request information or assistance from European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA, follow the instructions published here.
2. Report vessel position daily to UKMTO using their position reporting form.

For more information, please see the documents below (available only to subscribers):

Threats to Shipping in the Red Sea Region

Threats to Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz Region

Possible Resurgence of Somali-based Piracy in the Indian Ocean Region