On 19 May 2025, the Yemeni Armed Forces announced a maritime prohibition targeting the Port of Haifa (ILHFA).
This decision, effective 20 May 2025 at 00:01 Sana’a time, bans all maritime navigation to and from the port of Haifa, citing Israel’s continued military actions in Gaza, including the targeting of civilians and restrictions on humanitarian aid. The move is based on Yemeni Law No. (5) of 1445 AH and the Sanctions Regulation on Supporters of the Usurping Zionist Entity (SR-SUZE).
Consequences of the sanctions
According to HOCC, as a result of the measure taken, any violation of the decision (entry into the Port of Haifa) shall classify the violating companies as supporters of the usurping Zionist entity. Consequently, they will be subject to sanctions in accordance with the Sanctions Regulation on Supporters of the Usurping Zionist Entity (SR-SUZE), and their fleets will be listed on the (SUZE) sanctions list. The fleets of these companies will be prohibited from transiting the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Moreover, they will be subject to targeting wherever they may be reached by the Yemeni Armed Forces.
Furthermore, upon listing the violating companies on the sanctions list, and in accordance with the Sanctions Regulation (SR-SUZE), all States, entities, and persons are prohibited from engaging in any form of dealings with the sanctioned companies. It is also prohibited to use agents, intermediary companies, shell companies, or third parties to carry out prohibited transactions on behalf of the listed companies. Participation in any transactions with the sanctioned companies entails the risk of being subjected to sanctions.
Sanctions on companies violating the prohibition decision may also be extended to entities in which such companies have a stake, as well as to senior executives or beneficial owners of the listed companies, the spouses and first-degree relatives of the listed natural persons, entities where listed natural persons hold senior management positions, and entities controlled or established and managed by the listed natural persons, in addition to those engaging in dealings with them. For further information regarding sanctions applicable to parties dealing with entities listed on the sanctions lists, please refer to the (SR-SUZE)
It should also be noted that the power and integrity of the sanctions imposed by the (HOCC) derive not only from its ability to designate entities, persons, and add them to the sanctions list, but also from its readiness to delist them in accordance with relevant regulations. The ultimate goal of the sanctions is not punishment in itself, but to bring about positive behavioral change, HOCC notes. For more information on delisting from the sanctions lists, refer to the (SR-SUZE).
In light of the religious, humanitarian, and moral responsibility toward the oppressed Palestinian people and their suffering under a cruel blockade and ongoing horrific massacres perpetrated by the Israeli entity, a decision has been made to impose a comprehensive ban on maritime navigation to and from the Port of Haifa
… the Executive Director of the (HOCC) stated.
Maritime guidance
According to the latest Risk Intelligence Report (as of 14 May 2025), while no direct attacks on merchant vessels have been recorded in the southern Red Sea or Gulf of Aden in the past 30 days, the geopolitical environment remains volatile.
Shipowners and operators are advised to remain vigilant, particularly in light of the new prohibition and the potential for misidentification or collateral damage. Thus, Skuld Club has advised that operators take the following steps under consideration:
- Conduct immediate reviews of all voyages involving the Port of Haifa.
- Update risk assessments and voyage planning tools to reflect the new prohibition.
- Reinforce sanctions compliance protocols and due diligence procedures.
- Monitor updates from HOCC and regional intelligence sources for changes in threat levels.
Background
Tensions in the Middle East have sharply escalated amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, particularly following Israel’s military operations in Gaza. In response, the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen has increasingly positioned itself as a defender of the Palestinian cause, launching attacks on vessels in the Red Sea that are perceived to be linked to or supportive of Israel. This volatile dynamic has turned the Red Sea into a flashpoint, where geopolitical rivalries intersect with militant actions.
