Shipping groups issue guidance in response to Yemen conflict

Shipping groups issue guidance in response to Yemen conflict
Jamey Bergman 24 Jan 2018 http://www.lngworldshipping.com/news/view,shipping-groups-issue-guidance...

A coalition of shipping industry bodies have published new security recommendations in response to threats to mariners including mines and water-borne improvised explosive devices, linked to the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

Intertanko, BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping developed the guidance for ships transiting the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb based on advice from the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and the Combined Maritime Forces.

The guidance advises merchant ships to review and update risk assessments and plans and to use the Maritime Security Transit Corridor in the region after first registering with EUNAVFOR's regional office and the UK's Maritime Trade Operations authority.

Separate from the “more familiar regional threat of piracy”, the threat of encountering explosives is new, according to the groups, and the “threat patterns and mitigating measures differ”.

“We’ve been advised that these threats are real, and therefore decided to provide guidance for ships operating in the area. We have seen two incidents in January, and we want to make sure owners and operators are aware and advise their crews accordingly,” BIMCO secretary general and chief executive Angus Frew said in a statement.