Industry advisory that came out on Friday warned Shipping companies should use caution when deploying private armed guards onboard vessels sailing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This is due to the high risk of escalation amid growing attacks on ships
Attacks emanating from Yemen’s Houthi’s have targeted ships transiting the Red Sea that are associated with Israel by firing drones and missiles at them.
In an advisory issued on Friday by the shipping industry’s leading associations, companies were urged to “complete a thorough risk assessment when considering the use of armed guards.”
“Caution should be taken when managing their employment and rules of engagement should consider the risk of escalation,” the advisory said.
The attacks emanating from Yemen have forced a large number of commercial ships to be diverted away from the Red Sea and to the much longer route of sailing around the tip of South Africa.
British maritime security company Ambrey said this week that there had been an “exchange of fire” between armed guards onboard a vessel and a speedboat with armed assailants.
The Marshall Islands shipping registry – one of the world’s top flags – said in a separate note on Thursday that vessels were advised to “reassess rules for the use of force with their private maritime security company.”
“A clear distinction should be made between suspected attackers with small arms and military forces with more advanced weaponry,” the advisory said, adding that engagement with military forces was not advised as “it may result in significant escalation.”
The industry advisory said ships that switched off their AIS tracking transponders to avoid detection could also complicate rescue efforts if they ran into trouble.
