With the escalation of the conflict between the Houthis, Israel and the US, the risks for vessels berthing in Yemeni ports have also increased exponentially.
Yesterday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) warned that “intense kinetic activity in the Red Sea area since mid-March 2025, and, in particular, recently reported strikes against targets in the vicinity of the port of Al Hudaydah overnight 5 -6 May 2025, suggest an ongoing threat from collateral damage to third party vessels.”
According to UKMTO, ships within 1,000 metres from the coastline and/or port facilities may be at increased risk of collateral damage should they attempt to dock. The Maritime Agency advises all ships to exercise caution in the vicinity of ports that have already been under attack and to carefully assess whether the risk of sailing/conducting operations in those areas is still acceptable.
On Monday, a series of air raids, launched by Israel in coordination with the US, targeted the Yemeni port of Hodeida. The death toll is said to be at least 2 dead and around 40 wounded. The attack follows the one launched just under a month earlier by the US against the port of Ras Issa, with a death toll of 80.
Meanwhile, reports have emerged that the Houthis are preventing ships from leaving their waters by threatening to attack them.
Translation by Giles Foster