IMSC security update: Threats to shipping in Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

In the February edition of ‘The SENTINEL Watch’, the International Maritime Security Construct provides the merchant shipping industry with an update on maritime security incidents within the Middle East Region.

In February’s Sentinel Watch, IMSC focuses on the seizure of the South Korean-flagged product tanker M/T HANKUK CHEMI, carrying 7200 tons of ethanol by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) due to claimed maritime pollution in the Arabian Gulf, on 4 January.

Pollution is unlikely to be the real reason for the vessel’s detention; Given the timing, the more likely reason is to enhance Iranian political leverage in ongoing negotiations to release Iranian funds frozen in South Korean banks due to US sanctions. This incident illustrated one of the main threats to merchant shipping within the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Seoul has indicated a willingness to work with IMSC, but has not requested assistance from the organization.

Meanwhile, the threat within the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait remains unchanged for the merchant shipping industry, IMSC noted. On January 22nd, Reuters reported that Saudi led coalition forces thwarted two Houthi attacks. First, Saudi led forces destroyed an explosive-laden boat in the Southern Red Sea. Second, Saudi led forces destroyed an explosive-laden drone launched from Yemen by Houthis towards Saudi Arabia.

Masters are encouraged to report incidents to IMSC via UKMTO. Ship Owners, Operators, and Masters are advised to follow guidance in accordance with BMP 5 and national authorities and review the guidance and responses contained within the IMSC Bridge Cards.

Reporting – Best practices

In addition to the guidance provided in BMP5, merchant shipping is encouraged to report the following to UKMTO as detailed in the IMSC Bridge Cards:

• Threatening or harassing conduct directed at a merchant vessel.
• Threatening or harassing language transmitted on VHF.
• Boarding or search of a vessel without a valid legal pretext.
• Unnecessary manoeuvring in unsafe proximity of a merchant vessel.
• Intentional close manoeuvring so as to restrict a vessel’s ability to manoeuvre without lawful justification.
• Aircraft operating at an unsafe altitude or distance that results in a threat to a merchant vessel.
• Unprofessional or inappropriate queries – Queries that include asking questions beyond flagged state, port of
  departure and port of arrival. Including questions relating to:
  -Whether warships or aircraft are operating in the area.
  -Asking unnecessarily probing questions about the crew or cargo.
• Sighting of suspicious floating objects (possible mine or waterborne improvised explosive device) in the area.
• On receiving a distress call from another Merchant Vessel that reports being harassed or attacked.

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