Tag: Persian Gulf

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the amount of crude oil and oil products flowing through the Bab el-Mandeb, the southern chokepoint at the mouth of the Red Sea, decreased by more than 50% in the first eight months of 2024.

According to EIA, after Yemen-based Houthi militia attacks on commercial ships transiting the Red Sea started in November 2023, some vessels began opting to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint—a narrow strait that borders the Yemeni coast and is the southern entrance to the Red Sea. Instead, they’re choosing to take longer, more costly routes around the tip of Africa.

An oil tanker formerly involved in a dispute between Iran and the United States, known as the Suez Rajan and later identified as the St. Nikolas, was boarded in the Gulf of Oman by unauthorized individuals in military uniforms, on 11th January. 

The IRGC Navy reported on 6th December that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) had apprehended 34 crew members and impounded two ships that were smuggling over 4.5 million litres of petroleum in the Persian Gulf.

Taking stock of the situation in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman, BIMCO and fellow industry associations have develop transit corridors for the consideration of Ship Masters, Owners and Operators.

According to Gard P&I Club, regional conflicts, military activity, and political tensions continue to pose threats to commercial vessels operating in high risk areas such as the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Western Indian Ocean.

According to news, Iranian forces have detained two ships in the Persian Gulf and arrested their crew for allegedly carrying smuggled oil.

The Combined Maritime Force (CMR) and EU NAVFOR have recently issued Industry Releasable Threat Bulletin (IRTB) 031 intended to help shipping operators who are responsible for merchant and large commercial fishing vessels that pass through, or operate in, the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden (GOA).

Regional conflict, heightened military activity, and increased political tensions pose threats to merchant vessels operating in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Western Indian Ocean.

The Joint War Committee has recently reviewed the Listed Areas, and has agreed the following changes.