Yemen Bans Entry into its Territorial Waters

Navigation in Yemen’s territorial waters has been banned and ships are not allowed into Yemen unless inspected and approved by Saudi-led coalition forces, BIMCO said today in a security advisory.

The ban was put in place yesterday after Yemen’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegated the coalition forces to implement it. Yemen’s Foreign Minister Riyadh Yassin issued a statement on Saturday stating that “Yemen has banned entry into the territorial waters and has authorized coalition countries to implement the decision, adding that the ban has been imposed on the country’s maritime zones.”

The term “maritime zones” was not clearly defined in the statement and clarification should be sought from port agents and P&I by vessels considering calling on any Port in Aden.

Only emergency goods and medical aid vessels will be allowed entry into Yemen, and even then only after being searched and approved by the coalition forces. BIMCO has advised all vessels to transit the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea at least 12 nautical miles outside Yemeni territorial waters when possible.

Marine insurer Skuld advised earlier that a significant number of reports from agents, media and Skuld members have indicated that the Saudi-led forces have begun to enforce blockades on Yemeni ports with emphasis on those ports which may be under the control of the Houthi-led forces.

Skuld’s reports include a prevention of vessel traffic from Bab Al Mandab to Yemeni territorial waters; a particular focus on vessels that may have recently called at Iranian or Iraqi ports; targeting of Houthi controlled ports, particular in the north and west of Yemen; a lack of stevedores and port staff at Aden due to intense local fighting; and a movement of refugees out of Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and its Sunni Arab allies have been bombing Yemen for over two weeks in hopes of slowing the advance of Houthi militias toward the southern port city of Aden.