Ships sailing in the region of the Indian Ocean are advised by EU NAVFOR to maintain heightened vigilance for extra security.
EU NAVFOR reminds that since the end of November 2023, several incidents have compromised security in the area, involving drone and missile attacks have occurred in the South Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and most recently, the Indian Ocean. One such incident involved the targeting of the MSC ORION by a UAV 200 nautical miles southeast of Socotra Island as the vessel was transiting northbound toward Salalah, Oman. This attack underscores the potential for assaults in the Indian Ocean, extending up to 800 nautical miles from areas under Houthi control in Yemen.
To mitigate such risks, it is recommended to establish an alternative sea route at least 150 nautical miles east of current traffic routes. Moreover, implementing random alterations in course and speed during NAVTRACKS, coupled with adopting a more restrictive AIS policy, can help minimize positional exposure.
This threat remains dynamic and should be continually re-evaluated in the coming days. For registration and reporting purposes, vessels operating in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, especially those within 700 nautical miles of the Somali coast, should adhere to BMP5 recommendations.
Any incidents should be promptly reported to MSCHOA and the UKMTO. Additionally, it’s noteworthy that MSCHOA-registered ships receive near real-time information on security incidents in their vicinity.
