Tag: 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.

The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) issued its monthly Sentinel Watch, which provides the merchant shipping industry with an update on IMSC initiatives and security within the Middle East Region. 

Continued security vigilance is recommended for ships transiting Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, an Indian Ocean.

As crew change has been a challenging issue for seafarers that arose during the COVID-19 crisis, GAC (Gulf Agency Company) informs that in Oman, crew change is allowed under special circumstances.

BIMCO provides guidance to the shipping stakeholders concerning the escalated tensions in the Gulf of Guinea, followed by the killing of General Qassem Soleimani by a US drone in early January 2020, and retaliation by Iran.

A European-led mission for protection of Gulf waters expected to operate soon will be hosted by a French naval base in UAE, France’s defense minister said on Sunday. The decision came in the wake of the subsequent tanker attacks earlier this year in the region which triggered global diplomatic tension. 

The US Central Command announced the opening of Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel’s new command center at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain, on November 7. The new coalition aims to "ensure freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce in international waters throughout the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Oman."

Tasnim, Turkish news agency, reported that Iran is under discussion with Russia and China to launch a joint naval drill in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, following the increased tensions in the area. The collaboration between the US, Russia, Iran and China shows the capability of the countries to partner, whereas also presents the 'political goals' behind this exercise. 

Japan recently announced that it will not follow US's coalition into sending security vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the tensions in the area. Yet, Yomiuri Shimbun, Japanese newspaper, reported that Japan is thinking of sending a destroyer to operate in nearby areas.

Australian Minister for Defence, Linda Reynolds, stated to reporters during the annual US-Australian security talks in Sydney, that the US request, to join in the coalition to protect the vessels that sail in the Strait of Hormuz, is seriously taken under consideration.