Yemen

Yemen - port security situation - Update

Gard’s correspondent in Yemen, GAC Yemen Ltd, states that the Port of Aden is now closed and the security situation locally is increasingly volatile.

Situation as at 30 March 2015

Situation is now very serious in the area surrounding Port of Aden, and the Houthi rebel troops have been shelling Aden today. The port of Aden is virtually closed. Dry cargo shipments are stopped due to unavailability of stevedores. Yemeni ports at the Red Sea are presently operational as no hostilities in these areas. Offshore terminals are also operational.

Situation as at 27 March 2015

Air strikes performed by the Saudi-led coalition continue for the second day in Yemen and the security situation is deteriorating. Our correspondent, GAC Yemen Ltd., states that violent fighting has been going on in the streets of Aden and that currently the port of Aden is closed.

Members and clients with vessels considering calling at Yemeni ports should, however, continue to exercise extreme caution and stay in close contact with local sources of information (vessel’s agent, Gard’s correspondent, etc.) to obtain the most up to date and reliable information available at any given time.

Vessels arriving in the United States (US) from Yemen

Conditions of entry are imposed on vessels arriving in US waters from foreign ports that do not maintain effective anti-terrorism measures. In 2012, the US Coast Guard (USCG) announced the imposition of conditions of entry on vessels arriving from all ports in Yemen, except for the Ash Shihr Terminal, the Port of Hodeidah, and the Balhalf LNG Terminal.

In their Port Security Advisory (1-15) of 25 March 2015, the USCG announces that, effective 8 April 2015, conditions of entry will now also be imposed on vessels arriving from the Ash Shihr Terminal and the Port of Hodeidah. The 2012 exception remains in place for vessels arriving from the Balhalf LNG Terminal.

Summary

Due to the increasing tension and general instability in the Yemen, the security situation and corresponding security advice to vessels calling at Yemeni ports or entering Yemeni waters may therefore change quickly.

Members and clients are advised to continuously evaluate the situation and carry out an assessment of the risks involved prior to entering Yemeni waters or calling at Yemeni ports and take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the vessel and its crew. Vessels calling at Yemeni ports should apply as a minimum ISPS level 2 precautions and continuously confirm the situation with their agents or other local sources. Ships transiting the area should maintain effective application and compliance with all BMP measures.