The following advisory was issued by the United States Maritime Administration on March 28.
2025-005-Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb Strait, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Somali Basin-Houthi Attacks on Commercial Vessels
Description
1. References: None
2. Issue: On March 15th, U. S. forces commenced strikes against targets used by Houthi terrorists in Yemen to launch attacks against commercial and military vessels operating within international shipping lanes. Houthi forces have subsequently threatened to strike U.S. assets, including commercial vessels, in the region. U.S.-flag commercial vessels are at high risk from terrorism and other hostile actions from the Houthis when transiting the southern Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden until further notice. Potential hostile actions include one-way Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) attacks; Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) attacks; Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) attacks; ballistic and cruise missile attacks; small arms fire from small boats; explosive boat attacks; and illegal boardings, detentions, and/or seizures. Since November 1, 2023, there have been at least 113 separate Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, four mariners killed, and one Houthi seizure of a commercial vessel in these areas, affecting over 60 nations. Entities claiming to be Yemeni authorities have also attempted to divert commercial vessels operating in these regions from their course. These threats pose both direct and collateral risks to commercial vessels transiting or otherwise operating in these areas. Commercial vessels operating in these areas should be vigilant for hazards to navigation caused by vessels being struck by the Houthis and should be aware of all current navigation warnings.
3. Guidance: U.S.-flagged commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb Strait, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Somali Basin with Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders on are at increased risk of targeting by adversarial actors. U.S.-flagged commercial vessels operating in these areas are strongly advised to turn off their AIS transponders, unless vessel Masters believe that doing so would compromise the safety of the vessel. AIS transponder use is, however, recommended in the Persian Gulf.